Grew up with a mother so controlling- I still cant get my life straight!?!

Grew up with a mother so controlling- I still cant get my life straight!?

I grew up with a mother so controlling. I was not allowed to go to public school, I was not allowed to listen to the radio, watch TV, read any books that she didnt go through to "approve" first or newspapers or magazines...I was not allowed to make mistakes. I was not allowed to have a boyfriend. I was not allowed to disagree with my parents. I was not allowed to have an opinion that differed from theirs. I was not allowed to go to friends houses. I was not allowed to know my relatives. I was not allowed to ride a bicycle, or drive a car.

I'm 22 years old now and have been married for a year and a half... I still cant do anything right... Because I was never allowed to do things on my own it has made me very dependant...and I mess everything up. I dont know anything about things that I should know because i was so isolated my entire life. I've been called dumb, naive, everything. What do I DO?

I know how you feel. I grew up with a dominant mother also. She sheltered me to the point that I thought this was normal--picking out my friends (even in high school) and my clothes. She compared me to her friend's daughters and even my own sister! I withdrew from reality and became a loner. I went from a controlling mother to a controlling husband. I was a mouse,never could speak for myself and always had to be dependent on him. The emotional abuse continued until we ended up in therapy/counseling. It took years of hard work on both our parts, but we are still together. I would have to say that therapy saved my life, and maybe that's what you and your husband should try. Your family Dr. should be able to recommend a good therapist. There is a light at the end of that dark tunnel, believe me, dear.