109. Bodily Autonomy: The Maternal Abuse Daughters Struggle to Name

Listen to this episode from Mother Mayhem: For Daughters of Narcissistic or Emotionally Limited Mothers on Spotify. What happens when your body was never fully yours to begin with?In this powerful episode we’re having a conversation many daughters have never had out loud about bodily autonomy, maternal boundary violations, and the silent, insidious ways that narcissistic or emotionally immature mothers can lay claim to their daughters' bodies.We’re not just talking about “bad boundaries” here. We’re talking about unspoken abuse, the kind that hides behind phrases like “for your own good,” and leaves daughters confused, ashamed, and disconnected from their own bodies.What it means when a mother claims ownership over her daughter’s bodyWhy so many daughters hesitate to use the word abuse, even when their bodies tell the truth. Examples of physical invasiveness, coercion, and boundary-crossing framed as “care”The nervous system responses (like freezing or bracing) that reveal stored traumaWhy healing often begins not with rage, but with quiet remembering and somatic truthHow to notice your body's signals and what it looks like to reclaim agencyThis is not a checklist of symptoms. It’s a truth tellingThis episode is tender. It may be activating. Go slowly. Bring water, take breaks, and, if at all possible, don’t listen alone.Felt shame around sexuality, desire, or touchFroze during intimacy, pelvic exams, or physical careBeen told you were “too sensitive” when something felt offHad a mother who shared your private information, commented on your body, or touched you in ways that felt confusing or wrongStruggled to name what happened because it wasn’t “overt” enough to count as abuseYou might relate if you’ve ever:Felt shame around sexuality, desire, or touchFroze during intimacy, pelvic exams, or physical careBeen told you were “too sensitive” when something felt offHad a mother who shared your private information, commented on your body, or touched you in ways that felt confusing or wrongStruggled to name what happened because it wasn’t “overt” enough to count as abuse to learn about joining group, the community, or to share your story with the show.