How to deal with a mother that is constantly complaining?

[jimmie_boy]

I love my mom, I really do. But she is forever complaining about every little thing! She complains about how I won't wear shorts and skirts and am therefore not girly enough. She complains about how my handwriting looks like and says that it should be neater. She complains about how I don't come down to dinner the very moment she calls. She has something to say about EVERYTHING.

Yes, she does appreciate me, and I really do appreciate her, but how do I make her stop criticizing every little trivial thing that I do?

[mimi27]

I had a mother like that but she also like to gossip alot. I know my mother was bored and she found complaining and gossiping as a comfort. Her complaining sustained her throughout the day and her gossiping gave her that high. I would suggest finding a way to make her get involved with something that makes her productive like volunteer programs for the needy so she can see how much worse thing are than all the little things we all get caught up in.