Oh I'm very aware that blood relation doesn't necessarily make a person true "family." It's a bit difficult because my mom does have her kind moments where I really do believe she loves me. I'm in almost no contact with my extended family beyond my mom and dad (I don't have any real emotional connection to my dad though). The most contact I have with my extended family is maybe one or two aunts saying happy birthday/merry christmas to me every year via letter or facebook, and I never see any of them in person. Considering all that..it's hard for me to cut my mom out of my life, even when she repeatedly hurts me. I'm also the only family SHE has. She has not been in contact with ANYONE in her family for 25 years due to abuse, and they live overseas. My parents are divorced and all of my dad's extended family has since rejected her, as well as my brother...so I'm the only one she has left. She has relied on me for support since I was 13 and I know it's not my responsibility to allow my mom to place all her burdens on me but I'd feel so awful to leave her hanging as well. I know I need to look out for myself more.