Doormat Mom, No More! : When Good Parents Finally Say “Enough” To Their Ungrateful Adult Kids

by Doormat Mom

*This author is viral on Tiktok for igniting this conversation between good parents and their ungrateful adult kids. Thus, many adult kid trolls are leaving one-star reviews here to crush the book and conversation, resulting in even more reason that good parents should get it.

Did you leap tall buildings in a single bound for your kids while raising them? Love them? Sacrifice for them? Support them? Do whatever it took to be the best parent that you could be to them, minus a few unremarkable mistakes no worse than any other parent made? Did you attempt to give them the world? And now that they are all grown up, they behave as if they are completely ungrateful towards you. They criticize your parenting of them; demand that everything that you gave them, you owed; and insist that nothing of what you did for them was "good enough." None of it warrants appreciation, a relationship or even a visit. Are you tired of being a doormat for them and have, finally, said, "Enough," yourself? This book is for you. There is an epidemic going on in The United States, where really good parents are coping with really ungrateful adult kids, and no longer are they willing to accept the shame, blame or insane treatment that these adult kids are dishing out. Thousands of good parents are banning together and speaking up regarding where the fault for this mania, truly, lies as well as what they are doing to cope. If you are one of them, this book is for you.

Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2024

Reviews

[Kaitlyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is an abuser absolving themselves of abuse, while publishing the book specifically to ruin their abuse victim's wedding day. Using abuse to excuse their abuse while congratulating themselves on being such a good parent.

[Brianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Imagine taking the contents of this book seriously when she couldn’t be arsed to spend more than 2 minutes on the cover lmao

[Shven Biermann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Consider this the unofficial companion piece to Jeanette McCurdy's "I'm Glad My Mom Died" written from the perspective of her mom.

Despite being a short read, somehow it's still a slog of abuser apologia. She's loaded this book with all the conservative white boomer tropes:

☑️ Delusional self-entitlement
☑️ Baseless MAGA anti-woke vitriol
☑️ Profound lack of self-awareness
☑️ Weaponized therapy lingo
☑️ Hypocritical Christian platitudes
☑️ Narcissism
☑️ Fox news brain rot

Honestly, looking up her previous endeavors, she's like that crypto bro friend you have that dropped out of college and started a "financial investment firm" despite having no experience or education in finance. She just cannot fathom why no one sees her for the brilliant person she is.

My favorite part is how she doesn't pause to consider how truly heinous and damning her actions are, instead she just keeps on trucking. She details how she withheld legal documents to spite her daughter and thwart the marriage. Then she releases this malformed abortion of a gradeschool diss track on her daughter's wedding day. And she cannot see how fucked in the head it is to just openly admit to doing these things.

I almost wanted to give it five stars for giving us an unintended catalog of all the kinds of insane logic an abusive narcissist thinks. Buuuuut I opted to give it one star because it lacks substance and ultimately says nothing of value. It's like Patrick Bateman level crazy, but without the compelling story. No, she won't get sarcastic 5 stars. The last thing she needs is to feel encouraged to keep writing. Even if that encouragement is disingenuous and sardonic.

Ultimately, her daughter comes away from this nightmare as a hero without needing to say a single word in her own defense. I'd wish her daughter well, but I don't need to because her daughter is unquestionably happier without this psychopath in her life. Good on her.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! After watching SavyWritesBooks’ review I knew I had to get this and send it to my estranged mother. I would never give this author money if it were just for me, but after watching that review I knew I had to read it for myself then send it to my mom. I’ve read it now, and when I send it I’m going to include a QR code to that review, so that “If [she] read[s] this, watch this afterwards. It’ll explain why I thought you’d find a kinship with the author.” Thank you so, so much for writing a book that can be SUCH a good bait and switch, potentially explaining far better than I’ve ever been able to why I no longer talk to my mother. This orphan by choice salutes you.

[Sylvia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is the poorly written incoherent ramblings of a “very good mom” who found releasing a revenge book the same week as her daughter’s wedding comforting. Laura has made her whole personality about being a shitty parent and taking no accountability.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book for my adult daughter now she won’t talk to me anymore

[Aaron Esthelm · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's to no one's surprise that not once does self proclaimed 'doormat mom' ever highlight her daughters grievances that caused her to write this book. we the reader are left to guess at what the reasoning is that their daughter decided to not invite her to the wedding.

Disregarding that for a moment, this book fails at being informative in anyway. Laden with quotes attributed to "one mom said...". Needless to say these quotes are not useful as we do not know the circumstances of said mom. Let alone who they are so we can look up for ourselves the situation surrounding the quotes at hand. There are tens of quotes like these that can all be discarded seeing as they fall under hearsay.

Beyond those quotes Doormat gives very few examples for the claims she makes. one claim being 'in a society, where the trend is to "bend the knee" to our adult children verses accepting shared responsibility and blame.... A trend stated as such surely has studies to refer to to prove the claim yet none are cited. it is merely the authors feeling that these events are happening then stated as fact.

While I dont think doormat is abusive I do believe she's petty. As proven by this quote from the final chapter 'I chose to release this book the week of her wedding in Australia. oddly, the collision of these two events, somehow, made sense to me and brought me comfort...' That doormat doesn't see the inherent issue with this feeling shines lights on the shortcomings she has as a parent. that the claims her daughter must have made to her, that doormat did not feel fit to share with us, must have merit. We don't know what her daughters complaints are based on this book alone but I can only assume they were left out because they are damning.

[Timothee Frankland · Rating 1 out of 5]

AdmitI didn't truly read this but watched a dozen reviews of it, and holy crap Is this book bad. It's filled with grammatical mistakes and writing mistakes, which is odd because the author is an actual writer. The whole thing is just a boomer manifesto the evil author released on her daughters wedding because it made her feel good...

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to a YouTuber read and review this @Alizee. This is just a mother complaining about having done the job she signed up for when she chose to have children. It's hard to care about her side of the story when she never fully explains anything. If she wants to show people that her daughter is wrong, give people context. Right now, it looks like the daughter is the victim and the mom is throwing a temper tantrum.

[Julie Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you have to start your book title with an insult, I already can’t take you seriously. I’m not even estranged with a parent.

[Janee Fritz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is written by a woman who would rather surround herself in an echo chamber of other parents who have failed their children than go to therapy or apologize for her own behavior. She gets online and bashes her kid calling them a “narcissistic, ungrateful, bastard” and then has the audacity to wonder why she’s estranged from her child.

[Oliver Stuber]

A narcissistic "love letter". Watch out for anyone even praising this book as it shows not only a lack of touch with reality but opens a window into an abusive mind. This mother's trashiness knows no shame. From releasing this on her daughter's wedding day to the infantilization of her daughter's own feelings... this is a case that should be studied.

[Tyler Wade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Narcissist can't accept they were a terrible parent.

[wizard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jeez, only five people gave this a five star review. That explains it. A narc mother trying to "explain" her abuse for complaining about all the things she signed up for when having a kid


Wonder why your kids wont talk to you lol

[WestonSteel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I'm a grown adult with a very good relationship with both my biological parents, who are amazing and have done a lot for me. They were fairly strict, and we've had our differences, but I'm still blessed every day to have a good relationship with them. I'm unsure how much this will bias my perspective on the book, but I want those reading the review to be aware of it.

I'm going to start off by saying I plant to be more fair to this book than most. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I like it. While many found it frustrating or offensive, I actually found it quiet sad. I see a lot of vulnerability and pain here, and unfortunately the book's very existence only seems to ensure even more pain is spread.

The best way I can describe this book is: "the continuation of an argument between a mother and a daughter, told exclusive from the mother's perspective." While it presents itself as a self-help book for parents of estranged adult children, in reality most of the advice applies exclusively to the mother's own situation, and at times the statements she makes are quite outrageous and don't exactly paint her in a good light. Many note that the things she says resemble the abusive statements and tactics their own parents used, or seem to be downplaying the mother's accountability for her own part in the breakdown of the relationship.

Unfortunately, the book is only one half of a two-person argument, and many of the key details of the situations described are left out or only vaguely explained, either to protect the privacy of those involved or, as a cynical person might interpret, to omit facts that might paint the author in an unfavorable light. Without hearing the daughter's side of the story in her own words, it's impossible to tell which one of them is in the right.

But whoever is "right" ultimately matters little, because it does nothing to alleviate the tragedy of the book: a relationship between a mother and a daughter has been severed, and the mutual resentment between prevents them from reconciling. A family unit is fractured, and both parties feel hurt, abandoned and betrayed. The author is very provocative, confrontational and says some outrageous things, so many people find it hard to see that beneath it all, she's very hurt, confused and feels abandoned, and doesn't have a way to fix it and get her daughter back.

This book reads as though it were written not to mend the broken relationship, or give readers practical advice, but to both mend the author's broken heart and to serve as a "point" in the ongoing argument between her and her daughter.

Although the book was ostensibly written for those seeking practical advice on reconciliation, assertiveness, general parenting skills or emotional support to deal with the pain that comes from losing contact with an adult child, the reality is everything in the book is centered around the mother's very specific situation with her daughter, how she's reasoned the situation with herself, and why she believes she's right. The incomplete and possibly unreliable narrative makes it extremely difficult to know exactly what advice can be practically applied, and what is just the author venting. The author can't really offer much advice on resolving a negative situation, because it's clear her own situation isn't resolved.

This is, indeed, a very sad book. Whether the author is a good person in a bad situation, or a bad person in a situation they created themselves, it doesn't change the fact that two people who are supposed to be closer to each other than anyone in the world are instead bitterly divided, with no resolution in sight. My heart goes out to all those involved, and I pray they all live the best lives they can.

In the meantime though, I would skip this book. I simply can't recommend it in good conscious. Perhaps the experiences the author goes through in the coming years will allow them to write a better book later.

[amaya the cactus · Rating 1 out of 5]

lol. how many people wish GR had a zero-star (or even negative-integer) option just for rubbish like this?


imagine being this pathological & thinking the world will sympathise with you anyway. 😂🤣

i also love how she refers to herself as 'Doormat Mom' yet titled her own book as NOT being one.

JFC, hilarious.


i only know my own mum didn't write this because of the daughter's details (& because i've seen this Laura nutter on YouTube), but i guarantee they'd be BFFs.


[21 May 2025]

[Mike M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even though it's an incredibly short book I'm finding it hard to finish. In this review I will not be using Laura Wellington's pen name "Doormat Mom" because I refuse to feed into her persecution complex.

So first the formatting is awful. It looks like it was printed in justified with a whopping 1 inch left and right margins and I swear, two inch margins for the top and bottom.

The about the author section is the most self-aggrandizing thing I've ever read. She laundry lists all of her accomplishments, talks nothing about her personal life, likes, family, etc. She writes a single sentence saying she was widowed at 35 and that she has 5 children but names no one or how she feels about them. So in my opinion, she comes off as arrogant, self-important, and just a little desperate.

Now to the meat and potatoes:

Laura starts by talking about difficulties with her daughter and how she's treated and about parents needing boundaries with their kids. All of which is fine and reasonable. However it becomes apparent that she's not a reliable narrator.

When she tells stories about her life or about other people it's all with a kind of "just trust me on this" tone. But every story is told as an anecdote. There is no dialogue, only Laura's perspective and judgement are shown, and the stories always portray the "adult-kid" as some kind of feral selfish monster. It's quite clear that she doesn't respect children in general no matter how old or experienced they get.

I believe this is due to the fact that Laura sees parenting as an unchangeable hierarchy. Since she will always be older than her children and therefore more experienced, they must respect and honor her because that is their purpose for being. In her mind you don't have children because you love them, love family or any of the other actual good reasons that are out there. You have children so that they may be a reflection or your own greatness in your community and so that they may serve and care for you in your old age.

Saying on page 58, "The belief that, 'I hold no responsibility or obligation to you just because you raised me' is flourishing.

Then on page 60, "That same, fully grown, adult child of yours "gladly accepting a financial gift from you during a financial crunch, only to turn around during an economic upswing and state that she would rather adventure travel than see you after years of not?" That's a personality trait and an unflattering one at that.

There are many more examples throughout the book of Laura giving only to get. Obligation is huge for her. Everything she does or did for her children she expects to be paid with interest.

I also have to point out her word choice of "adult-kid" and "adult child" she uses are incredibly passive-aggressive and condescending. Adding "child" and "kid" negates the agency of the adult portion. Son or daughter is also easier to say so I believe this is done on purpose as a show of disrespect towards her children. And considering that her response to being "uninvited" to her daughter's wedding was to rescind her blessing I feel this is the kind of person she just is.

She's hyper-religious and by the half way point is quote Bible verses about honoring your father and mother. God changing people's hearts and even implying that Satan stole her kids or caused them to leave.

In a nutshell, Laura shows zero self-awareness because she feels she doesn't have to. Her kids need to obey her because that's what the Bible says. She has sacrificed for her children so they owe her. She has fed them and clothed them and cared for them so they must do the same for her. She talks about love constantly while clearly not understanding it and so it's no surprise that her sons and daughters want nothing to do with her.

This book is a pity party.

[MeDenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I’m sure those giving horrible reviews are just angry bitter adult children, you know the kind that she has the courage to expose. Parental estrangement (especially moms) has nearly doubled since 2015. It’s up 40%. Nobody can convince me that parental abuse has nearly doubled or risen 40% to account for this rise. No. What’s happening is adult children have consumed the societal social media koolaide creating more spoiled, entitled, ungrateful stunted adult kids, who now live in a warped group think of holding parents to expectations that are utterly impossible and unreasonable. Do not be duped in believing these reviews. The ungrateful entitled adult children do not want you to read this book. They do not want to be held to account for their horrible behaviors in how they treat their parents. They do not want moms healing and embracing their full lives. Moms, dads, read the book. The tide is turning and parents are fighting back in saying no more. No more will I be a bystander in my own bullying and abuse by the children I raised, sacrificed for and loved

[Rain Kendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up Doormat Mom, No More! in a sincere attempt to understand my estranged grandmother. What I found was not insight, but self-obsession wrapped in scripture.

This book is not a tool for healing. It’s a 200-page grievance list from a woman convinced she is the patron saint of parental suffering. There are no real events. No introspection. Just vague allusions and a heavy-handed martyr complex.

Charanza speaks often of what adult children “owe” their parents—but skips over the uncomfortable truth: children don’t ask to be born, and parenting is not a martyrdom lottery. Basic care is not sainthood. It's the floor.

She quotes God like a press agent, invoking scripture while embodying none of it. Her use of Christianity is less about grace, and more about weaponizing holiness to dodge accountability.

If you're an estranged parent looking to grow, look elsewhere. If you're an adult child looking to make peace with your decision to walk away, this book will confirm every instinct you had.

[Peach ghost · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest... this books is exhausting to read, disgusting and just boring, I honestly feel bad for the woman who wrote it, you can feel all the cartwheels she is doing trying to make heads and feet of her resentment, she's trying to point fingers at everyone but her, she is the enemy she's trying to hunt, she is her own poison and it's just so sad, I feel bad for her and for her daughter, I hope all the best for her daughter, hope her daughter is thriving, living her best life, in amazing health and economically free, I wish this woman's daughter the best in the world

[Carolyn Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a colleague of mine whose work demonstrates her common sense, understanding of people's emotions and motivations regarding their families, personal knowledge of sensible parenting -- and ways in which to repair damage that overly solicitous parents have wrought in the names of love and care.

Functional families help to create functional societies. As we try to repair damage in the macro sense, we must look to the situations initiated on a micro level decades ago. I give *Doormat Mom* and its author the highest recommendations.
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[Darcy Markee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, quick read

You can feel the emotions spill out when reading the book. I felt a balanced, heart broken, trying still to believe the words she writes are her life story, as though someone replaced her daughter's name and identity to that of a stranger to forget forever. Book reads between 'Not without my daughter, Casey Anthony, A Cry for Help, and We were the Mulvaneys as most ended poorly yet still explain reasons why estrangement occurs in 1 in 4 families around the world.

[Kat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recommended for: Other delusional, narcissist parents who want to blame their children for their estrangement

This book is just a smear campaign against this insane woman's poor daughter. She is estranged from her daughter because she is such a whackjob. "Doormat Mom" has written this book solely to comfort other nutjob parents who are estranged from their kids, whilst trying to turn people against her daughter(you know, like good parents do?). Do not waste your time or money on this trash.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book validated that my worth doesn’t depend on who chooses to love me, especially when that love comes with conditions or cruelty.

No one, not even your own children, has the right to weaponize love or gaslight you into thinking that you're always the problem.

This book is facing a coordinated smear campaign from angry, entitled Gen Z and millennial trolls, the very type of adult children this book courageously calls out.

[Ives Phillips · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is if Elliot Rodger lived long enough to become a parent.

Jokes aside, this book and the author's social media presence are all a pathetic but typical power grab of right-wingers, especially right-wing Christians. She can't stand that she has no power over her daughter and have access to her narcissistic supply, so this is the only way to soothe her narc injury.

[Potatoes Read Too · Rating 1 out of 5]

A mother who needs therapy so badly it's painful writes a book about how much she hates her adult child for setting healthy boundaries.
Also, this book came out the same week as her daughter's wedding, which Doormat Mom was uninvited to. Girl, go to therapy and work on yourself.

[M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truly a brilliant horror novel from the perspective of a child abuser. Chilling.

[Lily · Rating 1 out of 5]

Deserves 0 stars

[Riss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was buns

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

i feel so sorry for this woman's children. i hope this woman one day finds an ounce of accountability in her soul before she sends herself downstairs lol