Mothers & Daughters

Dear Victorious,

Why do you think that mothers and daughters have such a difficult time being close as they get older?

Nadine E. - Tulsa, OK

Dear Nadine,

I don't think it's a universal truth that all mothers and daughters have a difficult time being close as they get older. But I will concede that many do. I suppose that reason that many do is that they are so similar in character and nature ... and they are so unwilling to yield to each other. If either person in a relationship is more interested in being right than being reconciled, the relationship will be difficult at best. I suspect that these relationships are mostly troubled by the inability of the parties to draw firm boundaries with each other as well.