My Mom was mostly like that too except after I threw up on the table trying to eat the brussel spouts she tried to make me eat.I just can not swallow them no matter how they are made.
LOL - I did the same thing with asparagus. Nasty, nasty stuff.
My elder daughter at 26, still has problems with Brussels sprouts (Barbie cabbages) although she is an adventurous eater and cook too. I had her try the sprouts the way I make them. She deemed them passible. Kroger has some pretty mild frozen ones. I heat them in the microwave then add butter and Pepperidge Farm seasoned breadcrumbs. My husband and I love them.