Wow. Reading this thread has been like reading my own personal history. I think all of us need to recognize the commonality and connections between our different experiences...especially because one of the biggest feelings I get from these experiences is loneliness. I'm sure it's amplified by the fact that I'm an only child with a single mom. She's a "Stone Mother" like one of u described. And to unhappyguy, my heart goes out to you because as the son of a neglectful, manipulative mom, you have other abuses laid on u that I can't imagine....she makes u buy her stuff?! That's whack! My mom just had me pay her in good grades, staying skinny enuf, and tears...lots and lots o tears. The point about looking at Mom's Mom & Dad relationships to see a reason why she's so f'ed up, is just a good tool for us as daughters to hoist the blame OFF of our shoulders, where it crushes our hearts and spirit. I think the anger u feel is justified.
This is my biggest fear as a daughter of a long line of Stone Mothers, how do I not become a Stone Mother to my sons and daughters?