This probably doesn't help much but - SNAP! I feel the same about difficult mother. 2 things I've picked up from elsewhere that do help me cope, as well as the wonderful and necessary advice of other posters on this forum, of course. Firstly, FOG. Fear, obligation and guilt. That's what we are made ...
Bowling bun, thank you.
You're wise counsel is helping me steer a course through one of the most difficult times in my life.
I'm still in very choppy waters but I still have a tiny bit of hope.