Mother/Daughter Relationship Problems... HELP!

Hi Susan,

It's been quite a while since I last updated. I made a lot of decisions in the past month, and canceled a lot of plans, yet I still feel as though things have remained the same here at home. For starters, I canceled my application to Victoria, so I'm officially not going to school this semester. With hopes of not upsetting my mom too much, I told her I would begin school next semester (January); somewhere closer to home. She was a little more accepting after that but every now and then she still shows her disappointment in me and my decision (comparing me to others who are going to uni, etc.)

I've applied to quite a few areas (work) and even got my license. Unfortunately I haven't been presented with a job interview yet but I'm sure one will come along soon. As for living arrangements, I want to save up as much money as I can so I'd like to just stay at home for now, although more often than not the idea of moving out sounds very appealing. I still haven't decided whether I truly want to begin school in January, but I've applied to the local uni just in case I do decide to go.

I haven't been communicating much with my dad at all - I found out that instead of keeping my e-mails on the down low (from my mom) as I had asked him to, he had been discussing them with her and even encouraging her to ignore my desires of staying here in Canada and leaving to Florida. That really angered me and I guess I've been holding somewhat of a grudge against him for that. He's aware of my new plans of working and eventually going to uni, but all he ever seems to say in regards to that is that he thinks I'm wrong in wanting to stay here in Canada, that there are so many more opportunities in Florida (and then he goes hours and hours talking about this college and that college).

Things with my mom improved a bit more (or so I thought) until we had another fight yesterday. Again, it was about me going out. My boyfriend had just come back from a 5-day camping trip and I wanted to go and see him. When I asked her she said 'no', even though I had done all my chores and even though we had had a nice weekend here at home. I guess she just woke up in a bad mood. So I asked her why and that led into a big argument about how I she never should have let me date him in the first place and how much she regrets it. Then she created new "rules", saying that from now on I'm only allowed out on weekends, and only for 2 hours. I don't even know what to say to her anymore; I've run out of arguments and she seems to be indifferent about everything I do say. It's like she has absolutely no emotion at all!

Again, this is creating problems between my boyfriend and I. We argued about it today; about how I'm not allowed out as much as we both would like. He sets aside time from work, school, and soccer for me and a lot of the time I'm not even able to see him! I definitely understand how that frustrates him - it frustrates me so much!

I continue to feel as though I'm not only physically but just entirely stuck inside 4 walls and I'm not able to get out. I really am just sick and tired of the same situation at home every day and the little understanding and support I get and how nothing I do is ever enough to satisfy or please anyone. I'm extremely frustrated and overwhelmed, yet I still can't figure out how to tackle this problem. Talking over it with my mom has proved never to work, and I don't know how else to try to fix this.

Hi Susan,
Thanks for your update.

I spoke with my mom and told her what my plans are. Not sure if she approves but I intend on following through with them whether she does approve or not. I also sent my dad an e-mail (we usually communicate through e-mail) also telling him my plans and talking to him a little about my situation here at home. I'm waiting on a response.

However I found out today that my mom planned a little family "vacation" without telling us (my siblings and I). Apparently she's planned for us to go Florida this coming week, once again, without even talking to us about it. The thing is, last time we went on vacation it turned out not to be a vacation - we stayed permanently. And I'm more than sure that this is what she's planning since she and my dad have been speaking on the phone more often than usual the past couple of days. Since I'm still only 17, am I even in my right to refuse to go? I mean, I can refuse, but would that even make a difference?

I tried compromising with her - I told her that if she would let me go camping with my boyfriend and his family I would accompany her to Florida in return - solely for vacation. She completely refused my offer, though, and told me that whether I wanted to or not, I'm going to Florida...and not camping.

Look forward to hearing from you.

- Jessica

Hi Susan,

I tried speaking with my mom today, although it sounded much better in my head than when it actually came out. I told her that I'd like to take at least a semester off of school and work until then. I told her all the reasons why - the distance, how expensive living in Victoria would be, how I wouldn't be able to visit much, and the fact that I'm just taking general classes with really not much direction and it would be smarter to think about it some more and really prepare myself rather than possibly throw a year (and lots of money) to waste. Since day 1 she has always encouraged me to go straight to university after high school, saying that if I take time off, I'd lose focus and direction and would not want to go to university at all in the future. But I completely agree with you - I think I would definitely benefit from taking a year or two off, and I know for a fact that I WANT to go to university, I just think it can wait a bit.

She wasn't too happy with what I told her, again, saying that I would lose focus and not want to come back. I didn't tell her about the fact that I don't want to lose any friendships or my relationship with my boyfriend - she would have probably laughed and told me that relationships aren't important (as she always does). I'm afraid that if I told her, she would think that's the only reason why I don't want to leave. I know she doesn't like the idea of me staying here and working - the way she puts it, I'm going to waste a lot of time doing nothing of significance (going out with friends, doing what teenagers do) and probably spend half of the money I make, which isn't true. I would save as much money as possible and well, of course I'd want to go out and have fun - I'm not just going to sit around at home doing nothing when I'm not working!

I turn 18 the first week of September. I don't think she realizes the fact that once I'm 18 I will want to make my own decisions, without her intervening the way she does now. She most likely thinks everything will remain the same and she'll have the same amount of control over my life as she does now. And to be honest, I'm afraid it will stay that way. I have a pretty hard time standing up to her.

As for the whole Florida/Uni ultimatum... it's pretty silly but she seems to think that Florida is the solution to every problem. We lived there for four years and I clearly remember how she would complain and argue with my dad, saying that moving there was the worst decision we had ever made. Now it's the opposite - now she has this ridiculous obsession with Florida, saying that we should have stayed there. She compares everything here to what it was like there! The people, the climate... even prices! It's almost as if she uses Florida as some sort of a threat - "You either do this or we're leaving". It's absurd, and my brother and I absolutely hate it.

Once again, thanks so much for your help and I hope we can continue to discuss this. I'm still unsure as to what I should do, but I'm definitely leaning towards staying here and working and not just taking a semester off, but a whole year. The only thing is I don't want to face another year of being controlled and told what to do.

I almost forgot... my mother gave me the option of either a) going to university or b) moving away to Florida...which is the last thing I want

This is why I'm finding it so difficult to choose whether I want to stay with my plan of going off to university. I don't want her to control my life for another year, and I don't want to be forced to move so far away. I just wish she would let me make my own decisions and support them.

Hi Susan,
I can't thank you enough for your response. It feels so good to be able to talk about this with someone who has had a similar experience.

I believe that the reason my mom didn't let me go to Victoria (where I'm going to school) is because she was afraid of my means of transportation. I couldn't find anyone to drive me there (pretty far away) so I told her taking the bus would be fine with me and for some time she agreed. A few days before my appointment, however, she approached me, telling me that she didn't think letting me travel 3+ hours on a bus all by myself was a good idea, and that she wasn't going to let me go. Like I said before, sometimes I don't even bother arguing with her, or even insisting, so what could I do but accept it. I told my dad about her unreasonable behavior, but my parents can't even talk on the phone for 5 minutes without arguing. He told me he wished he could help me, but that there wasn't much he could do. And my relationship with my dad isn't the best, either. Of course I love him and I know for a fact that he understands and supports my decisions much more, but we've never had the kind of relationship where we can openly discuss personal topics, such as these. And as he said, I know he won't be able to do much. Complaining to him would only cause more turmoil between my mom and I since she already becomes infuriated whenever I defend him.

The most difficult thing of all, Susan, is that I'm not even certain that going to university right now is what I want. I don't think I'm ready for it, and to be completely honest I would rather work for a year, save some money, maybe travel someplace, and start university next year. Victoria is so far away from all my friends...from my boyfriend and I'm terrified of throwing away such meaningful relationships. I feel like the real reason why I chose Victoria (as opposed to something closer) in the first place was to get away from my mom--but now I'm scared that the distance is going to be too much of a change, too big of a step.

I know I'm only 17 and there's years and years of life and experience ahead of me, but I've been with my current boyfriend for over a year and what we have is very special to me, and I don't want to just throw it all away.

So I'm in a pretty big mess right now and I have until this Monday to pay a non-refundable deposit towards my university studies. I guess it's pretty much my deadline to make a decision.

As for my mom, she has always more or less been like this. When we lived in Florida, as a whole family, though, it was much less severe. She was so much more reasonable. Everything worsened after my parents split up, and more often than not I feel like I have no one to stand up for me and support me.