17. “You’re making me sick with stress.”
Here, she’s turning your existence into the root of her suffering. Instead of managing her own emotions, she blames her child for everything from headaches to heartbreak. It’s a heavy burden to carry, especially when you start believing you’re the reason she’s unhappy. This guilt tactic keeps you anxious and compliant, afraid to do anything that might “upset” her. It also trains you to put her emotions ahead of your own, even when it’s harmful. Everyone is responsible for their own stress—especially adults.