When Your Mom Is Interfering...
"My mother manages to be both interfering and childish at the same time," says Hanifa, 25. If your mum can't stop interfering, it's likely she's suffering from mother-knows-best syndrome.

Make It Better: To stop the conflict, you need to regain your power. "The way to do this," says Steve, "is to realise that her interference isn't actually about your decisions but her attitude, which means you're entitled to say how you feel when she crosses the line."

However, when setting boundaries, tact is essential as it pays to preserve the positive side of your relationship. After all, most mothers are interfering not because they want to make you miserable, but because they want the best for you.


When Your Mom Treats You Like A Child...
"Sometimes, I want to ask my mom how old she thinks I am," raves Komala Satyan, a 28-year-old software engineer. "She certainly doesn't respect my decisions, doesn't think I'm particular enough about things (she's a perfectionist)... The fact that I'm an accomplished professional seems to count for nothing - in her eyes, I need her help to keep my life in order."

"Mothers who over-parent tend to have separation issues," says Leah. Deal with this by looking at how you're trying to claim your independence. If you're still rebelling like a teenager, it's time to call a truce.

Make It Better: "To get your mum to take you seriously, confront issues in an adult way," Leah suggests. "Explain the problems and propose solutions, remembering that clashes over lifestyles are solved not by proving her wrong but by showing her why you're taking a different path."

Steve agrees. "Mothers who won't let go tend to hang on because they fear losing you. Get your mum to back off by showing her that being an adult doesn't mean you're moving away from her, simply that you need her support in a more grown-up way."