[m3Lith]

I think it's universal. And not always in a consciously aware way. It seems natural to try to raise your kids the way you were raised (if that formed a good image in your head), or to try to do the complete opposite (if that left a bad image in your head). And both can go to very extremes.

In my case (I'm from northern-eastern EU), my mom was very overprotective and over caring as well. With the years, I realized that, and was trying to "ignore" it as much as possible. However, she didn't really see my "ungratefulness", and was continuing all the same. Me being a shy kid, and having this level of care, had a big influence on my independence/self-confidence. I stayed at my parents until 28. This was last year. For the past year I was having angrier thoughts, bad thoughts sometimes. I finally mustered the courage and got my own place in another city. My mom was pretty sad with this, and was rather asking me to get a bigger house where we could live together more spaciously (we lived in a smallish flat). I thought she's joking, but she was not, she would even send me house listing ads. Anyways, this decision was the greatest thing so far in my life. I've been on my own for over a year now, learning the ropes of being a self-sustainable adult.

I never miss my parents. I do visit them once a month for a few hours. Recently, I've talked with my mom about how her behavior was only pushing me away all these years. The good thing, I guess, is that she understood. We cried a bit together. Her reasoning was that she didn't have much attention as a kid - her mom was always working. So she tried to recoup that with her kids. I told that it's the opposite of what I needed, and now I feel very little emotions towards her. I guess I could've told that sooner too. But better now than never.