Sounds a lot like my relationship with my mom. Off & on again over the years, usually when she needs something, because my family is full of irresponsible people. Right now she's living with me because she got diagnosed with breast cancer last year & I didn't think it was suitable for her to continue living with my brother while she was getting treatment. She's still living with me, still getting treatment for the cancer & other issues. But it's a very awkward existence for all of us. Most of the time she just isolates herself in her room & doesn't socialize with us at all. It's like she doesn't even live here sometimes. I've had to distance myself from her emotionally because it's just too hard to keep hoping for a good relationship & then being disappointed, just like you said. So I take care of her, but that's the extent of it. We might watch TV together or have dinner, but it's not like a normal relationship between parent & child. More like caregiver & care recipient (I made that term up).