The time
A quarrel over love or friendship, a family heartbreak or a professional shouting match marked their lives… Michelle, 31, recounts her complex relationship with her mother.
Article reserved for subscribers
XAVIER LISSILLOUR
“I always felt like my mom made me the adult in our relationship. As a child, I witnessed the violence my father inflicted on him and my older sister. One day when I was 9 years old, I came home from school to find Mom packing her things. She said to me: “Either you stay with your father or you come with me. I leave." I followed her, unlike my sister, Céline.
Once both of us began to strain our relationship. However, I helped and supported her in all her steps: I went to testify at the gendarmerie, I wrote letters to the judge… She wanted to start a new life as a woman, which I understood very well after fifteen years of marriage. unfortunate. She's a pretty woman, she has rediscovered the pleasure of pleasing men. But sometimes I felt abandoned. Some evenings, when I was 12 or 13, I would come home from college and find a note on the kitchen table: “Hi sweetie, I'm coming home Sunday evening or Monday. Here are some money for groceries.” Well, I didn't die, but I felt alone.
"She's 40, I'm 15, she sends me to hell"
Another time, while my mother was having an affair with a married man, this gentleman's wife came to our house. She remained glued to the doorbell. My mother told me she didn't dare open it. I told him: "If you don't get down, I'm going." She replied: “Ah yes, if you could go…” She's 40, I'm 15, she sends me to hell. I calmed the lady down, asked her to go home to talk to her husband, and she left.
One day, I told my mother that sometimes I had the impression that she was the kid. She replied that it was she who did the shopping, she who took care of me. I replied: "You're confusing, that's not what I'm talking about." But she didn't understand.
Arguments, running away and scarifications
When I was 16, I felt the repercussions of everything I had experienced as a child. I was not well. I was lucky to be surrounded by loyal friends and a very good doctor, who gave me a boost. I ended up on antidepressants. I spent my time in my room listening to tearful music, and there were constant crises with my mother, who didn't understand me at all. I have come to scarify myself. Big fights broke out, I even ran away from home several times, sometimes in the middle of the night. I was so bad at home that I couldn't help it.
You have 71.26% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.
You can read Le Monde on one device at a time
This message will be displayed on the other device.
Discover the multi-account offers
Because another person (or you) is reading Le Monde with this account on another device.
You can only read Le Monde on one device at a time (computer, phone or tablet).
How do I stop seeing this message?
By clicking on " " and making sure that you are the only person to consult Le Monde with this account.
What will happen if you continue reading here?
This message will be displayed on the other device. The latter will remain connected with this account.
Are there any other limits?
No. You can log in with your account on as many devices as you want, but using them at different times.
