Hi Kerry,

My advice.......choose your battles wisely - but when you choose them, take them seriously.

I have 3 kiddies - and one very domineering mother. It's bloody hard when they take over like you are describing, but you really have to weigh it up, and think - how harmful is it really?

Sadly, I chose to leave all the battles alone, and I eventually exploded. This has completely ruined my relationship with my mother (not that it was functional at all to start with anyway).

I didn't tell her seriously enough of the little gripes that I had (like yours with the lollies) - and then when I exploded it seemed out-of-the-blue to my mother. Sadly, she has never really understood me or what I want from her - and never will.

It's so complicated, but I am sure that you can balance it out.

xx