It literally took me decades to finally put my finger on what was wrong. I always knew something was off. I knew the blatant favoritism of other siblings, the ignoring of our basic needs, dismissal of feelings and her refusal to take any responsibility; her insistence I just be the surrogate parent and take on an increasingly inordinate list of responsibilities, tasks, the care and cost of my siblings as well as her. Then, when I unearthed inconsistencies in her stories (aka lies) or dared to stand up for myself, I was made the scapegoat for all of the family’s ills. And NOTHING was ever good enough. Imagine having a parent who, the more you do for them, the worse they treat you. A mother who enjoys making her child’s life hell…She basically raised me to be her living wallet.