My Mum is such a horrible person. I feel that she is like this because of me, like its my fault that she acts this way. I'll admit I do stir up a bit of trouble now and then, but really I just want this horrible attitude towards me to stop as she is my Mum, my role model. Plus, why should I have to put up with her ways of disciplining me such as calling me names like ****wit, ***** and so on? I can't tell anyone about it, nor can my Dad, who simply says that if she wants to solve her problems, she should go and see someone about it herself, but judging by her state of mind, its quite clear that she won't do anything to solve her problems. Is is just general anger management problems, or does she have some psychological disorder? Please help.

I want to challenge you to make your mom a better person. You can, you know. Here's how you can do it: Be a smiling and willing member of the family, do all your chores in a timely fashion and correctly, ask for more jobs to do around the house ("What else can I do, Mum?"), and ask her to teach you how to do something like bake cookies or cook a meal. Happily follow her instructions and cooperate fully in the process.

Meanwhile, tell her when you are going somewhere (ask for permission if that's part of her requirement), let her know if plans change, and be home on time. And don't forget the smile.

Do this for a week, then let me know how she's behaving.