I (23F) live with my mom (50F) and my stepdad as i’m a recent college grad. They were having an argument because she was upset — in her own words, he does nothing for her, avoids responsibility, and constantly gaslights her. She was clearly frustrated and venting at him.

As I walked by, I said, “(Name), you have to be nicer to my mom.” I wasn’t yelling or being rude — just backing her up. I know I should’ve have said ANYTHING, but he’s a jerk. This has been going on since they got married 5 years ago.

For context, she kicked him out last summer, then moved him back in 2 months later.

Suddenly, she turned on me. She started cursing me out and demanding I apologize to him for “disrespecting” him.

I was confused and hurt, and I called her a dummy for siding with him after everything she just said. She hit me, hard — so I shoved her back.

I don’t feel good about it getting physical, but I also didn’t expect to be attacked for defending her. AITA?

TL;DR: My mom was venting about how badly my stepdad treats her. I told him to be nicer to her, and suddenly she turned on me. When I called her a dummy for defending him, she hit me. I shoved her back, and now she’s telling people I hit her. AITA?