My mother never told us she loved us nor did she ever hug us and when I say never I literally mean never. This caused me to be closer to my father who was more affectionate and softer than her.

Unfortunately my father passed away and I've tried really hard to get closer to my mother but all she ever talks about is my two brothers and their wives, she has never shown an interest in my life or asked me how my marriage is etc or why don't have children.

She once told me to pay for my younger brother's wedding and this caused a big argument and us not talking for three months despite living in the same house.

My husband and I moved away but she begged us to move back in her house only for her to constantly criticise us which lead to us moving away again. She denies everything when i have attempted to have an honest discussion to resolve things. She has told her friends lies about me such as saying that I never cooked for her (I did but gave up because she wouldn't eat anything I made and criticised my cooking)

She has always told me she never wanted a daughter.

When I was younger I did all the house work and cooking because it was apparently my job as a female.

Now with the new year I was thinking about working on our relationship and moving on from the past but a part of me feels like just giving up and cutting her off all together because I know she will never apologise or treat her kids equally. She says that her boys (men in their 30s) need more support because women can take care of themselves.

I just don't understand how my mother can be so old fashioned or backwards.

What should I do? I feel that this toxic relationship is causing me stress but may feel guilty of abandoning my elderly mother when she's most vulnerable. With infertility issues plus constant criticism-I feel like I can't go own. I have considered taking my own life in the past although I feel better these days.

Has anyone experienced this with a parent?