Thanks TishBuv

Had one long-term relationship. We split about ten years ago. Even as a parent, he disliked how my mother behaved. Have to be careful here not to offend. He always referred to her as that person who tried twice to take over the world and failed. Think you know who I mean. What we call a nickname. Suppose he became more like a father figure (nothing sleazy) as there was same age difference as between my mother and father. There's been no-one serious since, as the saying goes "the world is full of married men". I do get on better with men than women. I like sport, have a traditionally male hobby so on that level at least there can be a meeting of minds.

Yes, she has. It's never been subtle. Wanting a certain degree of freedom aged 16, I lost friends because I wasn't allowed to do things they were allowed to do. For example, having to be home by 9.30pm, when movie didn't finish until say 1015pm. As I got older, she imagined all sorts of things going on, especially related to men. Just the same way her mother had behaved. Also once told me, when I was in 20s, that I'd let her down because I hadn't produced a grandchild. Wasn't even with someone then! Even work colleagues who never met her came to same conclusion. One wise man commented "don't give in, she'll take more and more". I was around 50 then. Another suggested I would never have complete freedom until contact was severed. He'd done it with his parents; dominating mother and passive father.

This forum has certainly aided my understanding of human behaviour. Nothing surprises/shocks me anymore. The initial hurt comes from realising someone so close to you can behave this way.