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Faith Quote by Sarah Dessen

“Mom." I couldn't believe she was doing this again. She was taking this moment, this time when I was strongest, away from me. "I don't care what I have to do," she said, her voice low and even. "I don't care if I have to send you away or switch schools. I don't care if I have to follow you…” quote by Sarah Dessen
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““Mom." I couldn't believe she was doing this again. She was taking this moment, this time when I was strongest, away from me. "I don't care what I have to do," she said, her voice low and even. "I don't care if I have to send you away or switch schools. I don't care if I have to follow you twenty-four hours a day, you will not see him, Halley. You will not destroy yourself this way." "Why are you just assuming I'm going back to him?" I asked her, just as she was drawing in breath to make another point. "Why don't you ask me what I said to him out there?" She shut her mouth, caught off guard. "What?" "Why don't you ever wait a second and see what I'm planning, or thinking, before you burst in with your opinions and ideas? You never even give me a chance." "Yes, I do," she said indignantly. "No," I said. "You don't. And then you wonder why I never tell you anyone or share anything with you. I can never trust you with anything or share anything with you. I can never trust you with anything, give you any piece of me without you grabbing it to keep for yourself." "That's not true," she said slowly, but it was just now hitting her, I could see it. "Halley, you don't always know what's at stake, and I do." "I will never learn," I said to her slowly, "until you let me." And so we stood there in the kitchen, my mother and I, facing off over everything that had built up since June, when I was willing to hand myself over free and clear. Now I needed her to return it all to me, with the faith that I could make my own way.””

Sarah Dessen

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, 2009

A mother‑daughter conflict reveals how overprotective control can stifle autonomy and trust, urging honest communication and boundaries.

In simple terms: Control harms trust and independence.

Key Takeaway

Set boundaries and demand respect.

Themes

family control trust communication

Mood

frustrated hopeful reflective

Type

dialogue emotional relationship

When to use this quote

  • parent‑child arguments
  • therapy sessions
  • setting personal limits

Key Concepts

codependency psychology emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you express needs without escalating conflict?
  • What steps rebuild trust after betrayal?
A Different Perspective

Control can be motivated by fear, not malice, making change harder.

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