In Part One we covered the unresolved Mama Drama. But there is a second, and perhaps even more important interactive process that can be done through such an enactmenent --the positive psychodrama.
Often coping with the negatives issues with mom can eclipse all the positive and loving features that were also experienced. As much as psychology has focused on the mother-child dyad and the dysfunction that cam come from it, the current interest and research bloom in positive psychology suggests that it is possible to alter our perception of the past, the present and the future though the simple acknowledgment of gratitude.
For this positive encounter arrange the chairs in such a way that they reflect an opportunity for you to give your mother some direct expression of your gratitude. You are arranging the chairs to optimize both the sending of the statements of gratitude, and receiving them.
Again, you begin in your chair and tell the empty chair where your mother would be sitting the things you are grateful for in your relationship. If I were doing this with my mom I might say, "You always gave me encouragement, even when we had our difficult times, I always knew you loved me and wanted the best for me, and I am grateful for that." Adding the tag line, "...and I am grateful for that," allows you to have a degree of emotional ownership for the expression.
When you reverse roles and become your mother you may be surprised at how grateful she is to receive this expression of appreciation. As in the earlier exercise you may have several of these exchanges, and you end up back in your original chair.
In the end you may find that your feelings for your mom are more whole and integrated than before. Indeed once you have done the exercises you may come to the same conclusion as Pearl S. Buck,
"Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together."
