“A daughter is a mother’s gender partner, her closest ally in the family confederacy, an extension of her self. And mothers are their daughters’ role model, their biological and emotional road map, the arbiter of all their relationships.”
–Victoria SecundaThe relationship between mother and daughter is one of the most complex and emotionally intense of them all. From my own experience, I know this relationship can be exhausting and challenging, yet filled with very loving moments. My relationship with my daughter often confuses my husband and my son — and I must admit, at times I too am confused by it.
I look at some mothers who are best friends with their daughters and I wonder how they manage to have that type of relationship. I look at my daughter at 20 years of age and I see me. Then, I remember my relationship with my own mother. We didn’t become best friends until I grew up. In my late 20s, I finally realised that my mother was the only person who truly understood me. She knew what I was thinking and feeling just by hearing my voice or by looking at me. Although my mother died 10 years ago, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her.
The 10 photos below (accompanied by some fantastic quotes) describe the sadness, anger, pain, unconditional love, as well as the fun and happy moments present in one of the most complex and loving relationships in existence — that between mother and daughter.
1. Naomi Wolf
“A mother who radiates self-love and self acceptance actually vaccinates her daughter against low self-esteem.”
2. Julie Walters
“I keep seeing myself in my daughter, and I see my mother in me and her. Bloody hell.”
3.Catherine Pulsifer
“Who has the tenderness of a mother?
Who has the wisdom of a schoolteacher?
Who has the tricks of the magician?
Who has the ability to see the world through a child’s eye?
Who has the stories about Mum and Dad?
Who has always loved me no matter what I do?
Who has the songs to sing to me when I am blue?
Of course, it is my Grandma,
And I love you and you blessed my life!”
4. UNKNOWN
“On your wedding day I pray that every ounce of joy that you have given me to me as your mother is returned to you a hundredfold. Only then will you have a glimpse of the love I have for you.”
5. Paula Poundstone
“When Mom said she learned how to swim, someone took her out in the lake and threw her off the boat. That’s how she learned to swim. I said, “Mum, they weren’t teaching you how to swim.”
6.TERRY APTER
“When a mother quarrels with a daughter, she has a double dose of unhappiness, hers from the conflict, and empathy with her daughter’s from the conflict with her. Throughout her life a mother retains this special need to maintain a good relationship with her daughter.”
7.Agatha Christie
“A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”
8. Hope Edelman
“There is an emptiness inside of me — a void that will never be filled. No one in your life will ever love you as your mother does. There is no love as pure, unconditional and strong as a mother’s love. And I will never be loved that way again.”
9. Maya Angelou
“I will look after you and I will look after anybody you say needs to be looked after, any way you say. I am here. I brought my whole self to you. I am your mother.”
10. Anita Diamant
“If you want to understand any woman, you must ask about her mother and then listen carefully. Stories about food show strong connections. Wistful silences demonstrate unfinished business. The more a daughter knows about the details of her mother’s life — without flinching or whining — the stronger the daughter.”
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