I can understand the title of your article. People will think they understand but I don’t see how anyone can really understand your situation. They haven’t lived it. You have.

I would never want to judge your choices and hesitate to give unsolicited advice. You have to find your way and make peace with yourself and with your mom. Whatever that looks like. I’m lucky that my issues with my mom were not so complicated even though I would describe my relationship with her as complicated. I don’t even find that my brothers had the same relationship with her as I did.

Your Mom is mentally ill. That doesn’t mean she is allowed to drive you crazy. The amount of separation is for you to decide. How involved or distant, also your decision. You’ve got your daughter to think of, to protect, to nurture, to find your way through THIS LIFE with.

I know how I feel about my daughter and from what I’ve read here and from what I know about you on a minimally personal basis I think you have your priorities well arranged. This complication with your mother is unfortunate. I wish it were not this way, that life could be easier. But then, I suppose, you would not be you.

I approach life from a philosophical point of view. I’m fortunate that I am able to stand where I stand.

You have laid your self bare here on Medium and this is how (at least in part) you make your way through life. Your life was complicated before you started telling folks about it. Now you’ve got people judging you for telling about it. That is complication on an entirely new level. What you are doing here is for your advancement. It is for you and your daughter.

I wish you peace, ease, resolution.