Mom Read My Diary

Summary

A young girl's life is deeply affected by her mother's obsession with appearance, leading to a tumultuous relationship and a series of drastic changes in their lives. From body image issues to homeschooling, the girl eventually finds her way out by working for her mother's boss and starting a relationship with him, leading to a new life at university.

Takeaways

• 💔 The protagonist's father left her mother due to her appearance, which deeply affected the mother's self-esteem and behavior.
• 🤔 The mother's insecurity about her looks led her to make negative comments about her daughter's appearance, causing emotional distress.
• 🍽️ The mother's fluctuating relationship with food, from overeating to extreme dieting, was a significant aspect of her character and affected her daughter.
• 👗 The daughter's struggle with her body image and weight was largely influenced by her mother's comments and actions.
• 🏫 The mother's overbearing control extended to the daughter's education, pulling her out of high school and homeschooling her.
• 🚫 The mother's invasion of the daughter's privacy by reading her diary led to further conflict and emotional turmoil.
• 🔒 The mother's extreme control over her daughter's life, including tying her with a rope, was a form of emotional abuse.
• 🏢 The daughter's escape plan involved manipulating her mother's boss, which led to a new job and a chance to break free from her mother's control.
• 💼 The daughter's relationship with her mother's boss evolved from a professional connection to a romantic one, despite the age difference and legal implications.
• 🎓 The daughter's pursuit of higher education while her mother continued to work for her boyfriend shows a contrast in their life paths and priorities.

Q & A

What was the main reason the narrator's father broke up with her mother?

The main reason was that the father found the mother's wrinkles embarrassing and felt she looked old.

How did the mother's behavior change after the breakup?

The mother became sensitive about her looks, developed an eating disorder, and started to have issues with her daughter's appearance and actions.

Why did the narrator initially become overweight?

The narrator became overweight to avoid her mother's criticism and to not be seen as prettier than her mother.

What was the mother's extreme diet plan, and how much weight did she lose?

The mother's extreme diet plan consisted of only eating sunflower seeds and lemonade, and she lost 120 pounds.

How did the narrator's social life at school change due to her weight?

The narrator became a loner as her friends abandoned her because they didn't want to be seen with a fat girl.

What did the narrator write in her diary about her mother, and how did the mother react when she found it?

The narrator wrote that her mother was ugly and hideous, and the mother was deeply hurt and angry when she read it.

Why did the mother pull the narrator out of high school and start homeschooling her?

The mother pulled the narrator out of high school as a form of punishment after reading the hurtful diary entry.

What drastic measure did the mother take to keep the narrator close to her?

The mother tied the narrator to her with a one-meter rope, ensuring she stayed by her side all day.

How did the narrator eventually escape her mother's control?

The narrator befriended her mother's boss, who offered her a job and a place to live, allowing her to leave her mother's house.

What is the current relationship between the narrator and her mother?

The narrator is now studying at university and living with her boyfriend, while her mother still works for her boyfriend.

How has the narrator's life changed since she left her mother's house?

The narrator's life has improved significantly; she is studying at university, has a supportive boyfriend, and has gained independence.