Gina - Let me add my heartfelt congrats on the start of your new independent life. I was pondering something that, so far, hasn't been expressed in the other posts. It could be that, in your mother's mind, she's laying down these rules because it's her way of loving you and trying to protect you. I know that, when I broke up with my ex (of 21 years), she insisted that any negative comments regarding transsexualism were made out of love for me. I realized that but still hoped for what some of you still have, an accepting spouse. As TS's sometimes say, we don't expect approval but hope for acceptance and tolerance.
My mother was never as vocally negative as your mom, Gina, but there were moments where her inner feelings came out. Years after SRS, I went to see what my mom's old house looked like from the outside (it had been remodeled). My mom had moved away from there but it didn't stop her from asking me, "Did anyone see you?" Translation: Did anyone see me, her son, dressed as a woman? I know she didn't mean to hurt me by that query but it did. I told her, "No," and tried to move on. These hurts are something we just have to live with. Some say, "if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger."
Maybe.
Teri Anne