"I am already 30 years old, and my parents are still trying to control my life." 'I have no idea what needs to be done to make mum happy.' "Dad was never around, what is he hoping for now?" Problems in relationships with parents can take on many guises, but all have the same roots. Lack of autonomy, love and presence of parents; lack of healthy personal boundaries; the prohibition of freely expressing emotions or being spontaneous.