Mother issues can cause major problems in both creating relationships and sustaining them. A woman with mommy issues will look for a partner who has her mother’s traits. Even if you had a dysfunctional relationship with your mother, you would check your partner for her characteristics because that is what you are comfortable with.  Other signs of a controlling mother include a fear of commitment instilled in the child. So if you are avoidant, you might play mind games with your partners, give the silent treatment, or not commit. You might emotionally push and pull the partner – Give too much space or too little space. This is how mommy issues in women manifest.