It took me a long time to understand just how much control my mom still had over me, despite not living at home anymore. Like not letting me think for myself, etc. I have my beau’s mom to thank for helping me see that. She knows enough about people to recognize the signs. During one specific instance before I went to work, it was made abundantly clear to me. My mom got upset for a dumb reason, and didn’t want to let me go until I finished. Of course I was upset. From that point on I’ve learned to stand up to my mom when I feel she’s really in the wrong.