Mother-Daughter Relationship: Importance And Ways To Improve

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Several people have described a mother-daughter relationship in different ways. Some say, ‘A mother’s treasure is her daughter.’ And others say, ‘While a mother’s treasure is her daughter, a daughter’s sunshine is her mother.’

A mother is a role model, best friend, and a pillar of strength for her daughter. For the mother, her daughter is her world.

As soon as a daughter is born, her mother develops a strong bond with her. As the daughter grows, their relationship changes, but the feelings remain the same.

However, sometimes, there are situations when this beautiful relationship wobbles. This affects both mother and daughter. In such circumstances, it is essential to address the issues and make the relationship better.

This post discusses the relationship between a mother and daughter and gives tips on how to improve it further.

Why Is A Mother-Daughter Relationship So Important?

According to the Journal of Neuroscience, the mother-daughter relationship is known to be stronger than other parent-offspring relationship (1). And this is one relationship that helps a woman carve out every other relationship in life. Hence, it is a valuable relationship for every woman.

Also, it is one such relationship that keeps shifting its nature. That’s usually because of the generation gap. Or when mothers try to protect their daughters by creating certain parameters, their daughters rebel. No wonder people say, ‘Like mother, like daughter.’ As the years go by, certain tricky turns arrive that require understanding, respect, and trust.

As every mother-daughter relationship is unique, the rapport shared differs from one to another. Some mother-daughter relationships can have a twisted bond right from the beginning, while some can take a difficult route when the daughter starts growing. Any of the dysfunctional patterns between a mother and a daughter could make the bond detrimental and can adversely affect the friendship and togetherness that is part and parcel of the relationship.

Quick tip

Remember, tiny little gestures can go a long way in building a strong mother-daughter bond. So show your love and gratitude through words and actions.

Types Of Unhealthy Mother-Daughter Relationships

Although the relationship between mother and daughter is powerful, it can be challenging. If no effort is made for improvement, it can turn out to be unhealthy. Let us check out some kinds of unhealthy mother-daughter relationships.

1. Controlling relationship

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Some people think that the controlling behavior of the mother is a normal parenting style. But it is not. It takes away the freedom from the daughter and shrinks her desires and passion. Whether the mother is controlling her daughter during her formative years or it is after the daughter has grown up (maybe when she is teen or adult) both strain a healthy relationship.

There are different ways of controlling, while some show anger or indifference, some of them use emotional blackmail. Such a controlling mother-daughter relationship is also termed as a boss-subordinate relationship as the mother tries to monitor and control her daughter’s activities. And the daughter, on the other hand, does everything to please her mother and to get her acceptance.

In some cases, mothers try to control their daughters for their protection. Although the intention might not be negative, the outcome surely is. Any controlling nature is considered ill in a mother and daughter relationship.

2. Emotional disconnect

In the case of emotional disturbances, daughters usually look for their mothers. And when the mother is unavailable, they may either become lonely or get closer and show devotion toward another family member (grandparent, father, uncle, or aunt).

When the mother distances herself from her daughter, it causes a disconnect in the relationship. Also, this upbringing may leave emotional scars and a lack of maternal guidance. Hence, this is considered as a dysfunctional mother-and-daughter relationship.

Furthermore, there are some relationships in which the mother is both physically and emotionally absent from her daughter and does not nurture her when she needs her the most. Or there is no physical touch, such as hugging or holding hands between the mother and the daughter. This kind of connection is termed as a ghost relationship.

3. Judgmental relationship

It is okay to mold the daughter to shape her well. But a lack of empathy and being critical of her daughter’s every move can add bitterness to the relationship. Ideally, mothers are supposed to encourage and support their daughters and not criticize them at every step of the way.

If the ability to be independent is taken away that may suppress her ability to grow in life. In such kind of parent-child relationship, neither the daughter nor the mother is satisfied. And with every passing day, the relationship takes a noxious turn.

4. Trophy child

In this kind of relationship, the mother uses her daughter to show off her good qualities or achievements worthy of admiration without thinking about her daughter’s likes and dislikes. The daughter is unhappy most of the time, as her life is being used by her mother to grab the attention of others.

In certain cases of this mother-daughter relationship, the mother uses different forms of communication, such as physical force or verbal abuse. The mother’s unreasonable expectations from her daughter, while the daughter keeps craving for maternal presence. When a mother and daughter share such a relationship, it is completely toxic and lacking in trust and loyalty.

5. Enmity relationship

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Disagreements are common in any relationship, and it also happens with mother and daughter. When fights become regular, competitiveness arises in a relationship. That again leads to resentment. Constant fighting without any cooperation is not healthy in a relationship.

With such a relationship, the daughter may consider her mother as a rival and not as someone who loves her unconditionally.

6. Bosom buddies

One of the common types of relationships shared by mothers and daughters is called an enmeshed relationship. The relationship is affectionate as the mother treats her daughter as a best friend. Both of them share an affinity for similar interests, feelings, and many other things.

While parenting this way, the mother might overlook teaching her daughter proper boundaries. This lack of boundaries would certainly affect the daughter’s ability to grow and have interests, ties with other people, and relationships.

7. Role reversal

This pattern in a relationship between mother and daughter usually occurs in the latter part of life. Here, the mother wants support emotionally or financially from her daughter. The daughter’s life is restricted, having to provide everything that her mother requires. Such a kind of relationship is not healthy.

8. Estranged relationship

Estrangement means emotional distancing. There are various reasons behind why a daughter and mother could get estranged. It might occur at any stage in life. Some of the reasons include mother divorcing or marrying another person, daughter or mother disrespecting a spouse, and mother-daughter boundaries being ignored. In such cases, there are few chances of mending the mother and daughter relationship.

A damaged mother-daughter relationship does have chances to repair the relationship.

Point to consider

Spend quality time each day with your daughter to discuss their day and other things in life. Create an environment at home where they can open up about anything without the fear of being judged.

9. Narcissistic mother

A narcissistic mother is self-centered and wants her daughter to do everything as she pleases. She disregards the needs and wants of her daughter and hinders all possible ways of her daughter developing independence. She may be of the grandiose type, where nothing can surpass her abilities or judgements, or the vulnerable kind who thinks herself to be the worst sufferer and lacks empathy for anyone else. She is manipulative and may even derive sadistic pleasure when her children suffer. She may constantly have conflicts and arguments with her children, become jealous when her daughter outshines her in any way, feign illness to attract attention and make her daughter feel unworthy of anything good in her life.

Effects Of Faulty Mother-Daughter Relationship

The first bond that a girl has is with her mother, and so it leaves a great impact on her entire life. If the bond between a mother and daughter is balanced — with kindness, care, love, carefulness, and some limitations — the relationship is respectful and will blossom. But a damaged relationship would have adverse effects.

• Low self-esteem: The first attachment of a daughter is with her mother. And this relationship sets the mark for other relationships. The bond between a mother and daughter will reflect on the daughter’s future. A healthy bond shapes the ability to have self-confidence. But an unhealthy relationship would make her doubt herself, resulting in low self-esteem. On the other hand, even a mother is affected when her bond with the daughter is not going as she had expected.

Laura Foz, a mother and a parenting and mental health writer from the UK, shares how her troubled relationship with her mother led her to self-doubt. She says, “When I found out I was having a daughter, my initial feeling was a strong urge to correct the mistakes of the past. I was filled with idealism and promised my little girl we would have the mother-daughter relationship I never had. This was quickly followed by feelings of debilitating anxiety. What if I ended up being abusive like my own mother? What if my daughter grew up resenting me? What if she stopped talking to me one day? (i).”

• Depression: According to a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, maternal disengagement could be responsible for depressive disorder in children and young adults (2). When the daughter does not share a good relationship with her mother, she might tend to have symptoms of depression. A flawed relationship also adversely affects a mother, and might even take a toll on her health.
  

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• Attachment issues: When the major relationship in a woman’s life, such as her bond with her mother, is wounded, she might experience difficulty in trusting and staying loyal to her future relations. She might have insecurities in connecting with others and forming secure attachments during adulthood and often mirror the dynamics she learned from her mother.

• Hostility: When the relationship between mother and daughter is dysfunctional, there arise consistent conflicts at home. This leaves an impact on the daughter, and she might become hostile and aggressive even with others.

There might be many reasons for an unhealthy relationship between a mother and a daughter.

But.. as Nancy Thayer said, ‘It’s never too late – in fiction or in life – to revise.’

Though you cannot turn the pages back, you can still fill the next chapter with something good. No relationship can replace a mother’s love for her daughter. That means there are still ways to improve the bond or build your relationship.

Ways To Improve Mother-Daughter Relationship

Take the lead. Irrespective of whatever has happened in the past, either should make the first step to resolve the conflicts of your relationship.

1. Active listener

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‘It’s hard to listen when you’re thinking about your own thoughts,’ said Faye E Hage.

Most of the time, you may assume that you are right. Instead of assuming anything, listen carefully to your mother or daughter. Listen without interrupting or analyzing. You can ask questions and get the answers to avoid any more disagreements or confusion. This is also called reflective listening, wherein you reflect back what your daughter or mother is saying to understand her properly. This is the way to connect and communicate easily.

2. Walk in her shoes

You never know what your mother or daughter is thinking about until you are in her shoes.when you try to understand from your mother’s or daughter’s perspective, then you may find it easy to reach mutual ground.

3. Open communication

Most of the misunderstandings occur due to no communication at all. Mother and daughter should be open to having healthy and honest communication. For instance, as a mother, if you don’t like your daughter spending the night at a friend’s place,  you should convey it to her by explaining the reasons. On the other hand, as a daughter, if you don’t like your mother’s over-protective behavior, let her know why. softer and emotionally safe communication will surely prove to be effective.

One of the effective ways to have a conversation is to use ‘I’ instead of ‘you.’ For instance, ‘I am feeling sad,’ rather than ‘You are making me depressed.’ Try it and see how it works. You can also come up with mother-daughter date ideas to ensure you get plenty of time to talk with each other.

4. Better boundaries

Irrespective of how close a mother-daughter relationship is, there have to be certain boundaries. Mother and daughter can be best friends, but there has to be healthy boundaries. This not only helps in improving the bond but also maintains a respectful relationship.

5. Forgiveness

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let go of some grudges and forgive to maintain healthy relationships. A mother and daughter can have plenty of conflicts, but at the end of the day, work to forgive and forget for a warm hug.

6. Quick heal

Usually, we tend to withdraw after an episode of arguments. If this withdrawal goes on to longthe gap between mother and daughter could increase. Instead of waiting, it is better to talk with each other and sort out the matter quickly. This will heal the wounds faster.

7. Acceptance

The mother and daughter are two different individuals with different perspectivesInstead of arguing and trying to always win the discussion, both the mother and the daughter should accept that sometimes there can be no mutual solutions. It is better to agree to disagree and move on in life.

Infographic: Signs Of A Healthy Mother-Daughter Relationship

A happy mother-and-daughter relationship shows a healthy and strong bond that cannot be shaken by the occasional nagging and complaining. Here are the signs to know if the relationship is healthy and whether the ways to resolve the conflicts are working.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Mother-Daughter Relationship: Importance And Ways To Improve

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Watch this video as an expert shares insight on the unique bond between mothers and daughters. Learn how to strengthen your relationship with your daughter.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Rabbi Shlomo SlatkinMS, LCPC

Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin is a Certified Imago Relationship Therapist (Advanced Clinician) and Certified Imago Workshop Presenter. He founded "The Marriage Restoration Project" with his wife Rivka, a global initiative to help keep couples together and happy.

Read full bio of Rabbi Shlomo Slatkin

Shikha ThakurMBA

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Siddharth KesirajuMA, Certification in Relationship Coaching

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Ratika PaiM.Com

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

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