A mother should help, yes, but helping does not mean sacrificing herself without limits, especially when her children are already adults. When a mother goes from being a victim to a martyr, she starts justifying what should never be justified. She accepts insults, manipulation and emotional blackmail to keep the peace or to prevent the conflict from escalating. She believes that enduring is loving, when in reality she is abandoning herself. She normalizes mistreatment, minimizes the damage and ends up accepting the unacceptable as part of her role.

To avoid this, a mother must set clear and firm boundaries. Not negotiate with abuse, not give in to emotional blackmail and understand that being a mother does not mean tolerating everything. Protecting herself is not selfish, it is responsible. Seeking professional help, creating distance if necessary and prioritizing her mental and physical health are acts of self respect. Caring is not self destruction, and educating also means teaching respect.