Alex, Since I was a little girl, my Mom has bullied me and made fun of me to other family members. When I was a teenager, she would call me fat, made fun of my lack of boyfriends, and tell her sisters (my aunts) about every bad grade or failure. After I moved out, went to college to become an architect, and started my own life.

Last week, I discovered that my Mom has been sending letters to friends and family, saying that I am a deadbeat, that she couldn’t afford to go on a vacation this summer because she was still supporting me, she said that I had gained so much weight that she was embarrassed to be seen with me and hoped that I wouldn’t come for Thanksgiving this year. I can’t believe that she is telling my family lies about me. Since my first day of college (which I paid for) she has never supported me. I have been a size 16 since high school and I still am a size 16. I am so humiliated and feel so angry.

Alex I know that they say you can’t pick your family. But how do I get my Mom to stop lying about me to other people? How do I get her to come clean with my family that she has been lying all these years? What would you do in my situation? - Connie


PR & Crisis Management expert, Alexandrea Merrell answers question about stalking, bullying, online harassment, and hate campaigns, and helps adults deal with personal and professional reputation crises to ultimately rebuild a stronger, more resilient, and joyful brand and life. AlexandreaMerrell.com