Razzleberry, my mother was exactly as it said in this article, always complaining that what I did wasn't good enough, being negative, never affectionate, etc. My mother has never told me she loved me a single time in my life or touched me in an affectionate way, such as a hug, hand on shoulder, kiss, etc. (Although she hit me plenty of times.) I got straight As in school, I did not have a drug or drinking or promiscuous sex problem while in school, I had many extracurricular activities--the girl in that article is me. I continued to achieve in college, grad school... When I was still in school, mostly I remember my mother making lists of chores for me to do and yelling at me when they weren't done to her satisfaction. I remember her telling me she didn't hang my school artwork on the refrigerator like other parents because it really wasn't very good and it wouldn't do me any favors to be misled about my abilities. What is it with parents like that? It does not help the kids at all. I would have traded a drawing displayed on the fridge or a loving word or a hug from time to time for any of my achievements.

I try not to repeat these mistakes with my own girls. When one experiences bad parenting, it can be a positive thing in the future, as it can drive you to try to do better with your own kids. I hope I am doing better.