mother-daughter relationships

br Washington Post , January 22 , 2006 , B01

Since talk plays such a strong role in the relationship , it is often the starting point for conflict . As Tannen points out in her article comments that would be harmless coming from anyone else , can be crushing coming from the mother . In an article entitled "Mama Drama written by Brenda Wade and Yanick Rice

Page 4 Lamb , the authors express how it is important to "heal the anger and recriminations " that can hold back a strong mother-daughter relationship . They suggest that mothers , not just

daughters , need to be nurtured , that "mothers are in need of our support as we are of theirs (Essence (May 1997 : 128 (7

This becomes more obvious to most daughters as their mothers begin to age , and reach the point in their life where they are beginning to become frail . The mother and daughter have come full circle , except now the daughter has become the concerned and worried caretaker . Tannen illustrates this process beautifully and describes how the "roles began to blur " as her mother 's health weakened

EI called her daily , mailed her loving notes and small gifts , visited often . I held her hand when we walked , slowing my pace to match hers I helped her get ready for bed .asked her if she 'd eaten enough for lunch and if she was getting enough sleep . by taking care of my mother , I came to understand how much I loved her , and how much she had loved me (You 're Wearing That ? 247

From the glow of admiration in a young girl 's eyes , through the distancing of adolescence and the complexities of navigating together through adulthood , this eventual reversal of roles and the revelations that come from the experience are what truly make the treasured mother-daughter relationship worth...