TEST: How do you get on with your mother?

The dossier in this month’s issue is all about your relationship with your mother: negotiating your role as a grown-up child, understanding your mother’s influence – good and bad – and discovering what sort of daughter you are. To tie in with that, take this test to discover how you get on with your mother.

1. As a teenager you were getting ready to go to your best friend’s party. Your mother sends you on your way with the following words:
You’re going to be the most beautiful girl there tonight
Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?
You’ll have all the boys chasing after you dressed like that!
Why don’t you wear your pretty pink dress? It suits you so well!
2. As a child, when you asked for something from your mother, she gave it to you:
Immediately
But let you know that it was very expensive
At the next important occasion (birthday, end of school term…)
Under the condition that you would be good and do well at school
3. After a two-hour spa, skincare treatment and massage, you drop by to see your mother, who says:
That’s a lot of money out the window!
You’d be better off doing some sport!
Next time let’s go together
I’d like it if someone looked after me a little for a change…
4. When you react in a way similar to that of your mother, you think:
It’s what she’s always wanted!
It’s a disaster!
It’s a good sign
It’s normal, we all copy a little from each other
5. When your mother cuts you off while you are speaking together, it’s:
Because she has something important to say
To talk about herself
To complain about something
An old habit
6. When you were little, you remember your mother being:
Protective
Demanding
Affectionate
Generous
7. Your mother offers you a birthday present that you consider old-fashioned and useless, you say:
Nothing, even though you are disappointed
‘Where on earth did you find that?’
A very warm thank you
Nothing, you forgive her, as she rarely makes a mistake
8. Which of the following corresponds to your memories of your childhood home:
Cotton
A nest
The sun
A cage
9. You haven’t had time to call your mother for the last week. You think:
She better get used to it!
I’ve been so busy, she’ll understand
I must call her, she’ll be worrying about me!
I need a reason to call her
10. Your mother is going to get remarried. Your reaction:
You wonder if she’ll invite you to the wedding
You’d be happy to be so in love at her age
You think it’s ridiculous at her age
He can’t know her very well yet!
11. Your mother openly criticises your best friend. What’s your reaction?
She may not be perfect, but she’s my friend!
You don’t have a good word to say about anyone!
You think maybe that your friends are better?
You listen to her, her criticisms are usually sound
12. Your mother wants to change her look:
You approve of her desire to change
It’ll be better if you choose her new clothes
You mock: 'It'd be better if she changed on the inside'
You go shopping together
13. Your mother wants to go on a long holiday with you:. Your reaction:
You jump for joy
‘OK, but I’m choosing the destination’
At least with her then, I won’t have to organise anything
‘Couldn’t you find anyone else to go with?’
14. Your mother wants to know all the latest details about your love life. You:
Say you've got no time for a love life
Tell her it's none of her business
Blush and change subject of the conversation
Tell her about your last relationship in detail
15. You mother gives you advice on how to manage your love life. You:
Pretend to listen to her
Listen attentively – she has more experience than you!
Don't know anything about men and welcome her advice
Tell her to keep her advice to herself
16. You’re at the cinema with your friends when your mother tries to call you on your mobile. You:
Go outside to take the call as it could be something urgent
Have to answer otherwise you’ll never hear the end of it
Immediately transfer her call to your voicemail
Mustn’t forget to call her back
17. You have a friend over for dinner when your mother arrives unannounced. You:
Are happy to be able to tell her how your seduction operation is going
Say, 'Don’t go imagining things, Mum, it’s just a friend'
Blush and feel like you’ve been caught in the act
Don’t even open the door. She should have called you before coming
18. You’ve just won the lottery. Your mother says:
'Happy in gambling, unhappy in love'
'You should have told me you needed money'
'I hope it’s not going to go to your head'
'You deserve every penny of it, my darling!'
19. You are preparing a romantic evening with your partner when your mother calls in a depressed mood and wanting to see you:
You rush over to see her; she’d do the same for you
You’re furious, she’s managed to ruin your evening
You go to see her otherwise she’ll be upset
You cheer her up over the phone and promise to visit her the next day