For eight years, Ryan tried to communicate something to his mother, but she didn't hear it. Whilst it was nothing terrible, even as a grown man, he's still left feeling like he doesn't matter.
Actually, for the most part, he's happy and remembers his childhood with nicely tinted rosy glasses, but there's still an impact.
Get heaps more info here: http://middleagedwomensstuff.com/mar-moth/dont-listen-to-your-kids/