Me, Myself, and I

I have a great boyfriend. One thing I'm starting to really notice is his lack of how to do "adult" things. Things like time/money management. He doesn't have a job, but wants us to move into an apartment together for two months with his savings. He want's to go to school, but has no transportation, and there's a street bike for sale he really wants in his budget. To me, it makes sense to buy the bike, and live with his family like other 18 year olds. Another thing is he keeps saying he needs a hair cut, and he does. He's got the haircut of a homeless person. Instead of getting a haircut, which will certainly help during job interviews, he buys cigars for himself and his friends with the little money he earns from cutting the neighbors grass. He needs gov. assistance paying for college, but doesn't know how to apply for it, and was going to just drop out. I would have asked around or googled it! I adore him, but sometimes I wonder if he's lacking. He's only 18, I am 19. I feel frustrated because I should be putting my life together, not his. All of his friends hate me because he stopped doing drugs for me, and I also made him stop letting them go to his house. All his friends ever did was pile random people into his house, do multiple drugs, and keep him up all night. I am dedicated into putting in the effort, but how can I get him to figure out things for himself?

I am 19, and just got home from living in India for half a year. I have been back two days and I don t think I ll ever be able to be friends with my mom. Yesterday, I was sleeping in and my boyfriend texted me good morning. She liked him when I left, but quit liking him due to buying him a pair of shoes. She assumed he would offer to work for them, he assumed she was trying to help him out. She even told me if he were a real man, he would have showed up at our house the next morning willing to work without her having to ask. Well, after the good morning text, she decided to drive to his house to tell him how worthless he was. After yelling at him, he angrily asked him to leave. She told me I had a choice, BUT if I wanted to date him she would never help me and it d be my way of saying I don t love her. Today, we went to the store. I saw him riding his skateboard and I started crying and begging her to let me see him. We were engaged when I left for India, he lost his job, so neither of us have the money to go against her wishes. After an hour she let me go to his house. I got home, my car isn t here. It s in her name so there s nothing I can do.She got me a new puppy when I got home, and she locked it away and won t let me have it so she can sell it.

I feel broken, I left the country to find peace within myself. I told her I was sorry and tried to explain that I love my boyfriend and I tried to please her by refusing to see him. I don t know what to do,and she s hurting too.

I got a tattoo on my foot in April. So far, I ve already had to get it touched up. It s already faded to a very light grey. If I keep going to get it touched up, will it eventually take? Is my body rejecting this? It s healed nicely besides, you know, the drastic amount of color missing. Any advice?

I have a two year old dog and she was laying in my bed and just peed. She s potty trained and hasn t had an accident since she was about two months old. She didn t even get up. She just stayed where she peed and slept on. She was walked with in the past two hours and she didn t even go to the door. It also stinks REALLY bad. It smells kind of like a weird garlic-y smell. It s not yellow either. The spot is clear with a light brown ring around the edges. I know she isn t in heat because it s only been three months. What could be wrong? I m so worried!

I'm 17 and I'm close to my mom. My mom casually asked for my friends number. We were going out of town so I figured it was incase my mom couldn't reach me. Now my mom is texting my friend all the time. Tomorrow I was going to let my friend come to the gym with me, and I told my mom. My mom just called and said "Me and *said friend* are going to the gym tomorrow." I tried telling her I don't like her constantly talking and hanging out with my friend, and she said "You talk to my friend" but her "friend" is my AUNT! She said she likes being my friends mom since she doesn't have a mom anymore. I have no problem with her being there for my friend, my friend can use someone. Just the going out without me, making plans without including me in the planning, ect. Is starting to annoy me. My friend had a baby, hence why her mom chose not to be in her life. My friend made me the nanny, but now my mom is calling herself nanny to my godchild. It's stupid that this would bother me, I know, but my mom shouldn't try to take my place. I was there for my friend when nobody, including my mom, would be there for her. I know my friend can ask her to stop, but letting my friend have an adult to lean on right now is more important than how I feel, so I'd rather not tell her it hurts me. What can I do?

I'm done with high school, and was graciously accepted into my dream university. I was so excited, until my mom said I can't take my dog. We talked about it, and my mom said I could take her previously. She is a year old golden doodle. I'm the one who spends a lot of time with her, trained her, takes her on walks, ect. I am extremely close to Scarlett (dog). I was home schooled and didn't have siblings so I spent virtually 24/7 with her. I have trouble sleeping if I can't hear her snoring near me. She's actually curled up in my lap sleeping right now. I'm also worried about her because when I go places I take her with me. When I leave her she always just stares out the window until I come home. What can I do to get my mom to let me bring her? My mom and dad love the dog, but spend way less time with her. They don't even care if she's left home alone all day. On a side note: We are breeding her next month, and my mom wants to keep two of Scarlett's puppies, so I don't know why she want's Scar so badly.

Every time she opens her mouth it s to tell me how no good I am. I fell back asleep for half an hour, and she yelled, cursed, and threatened me. She said she was done with me and everything I do because she said if I had trouble sleeping the night before it s because I chose to. She said she hopes she has a stroke and dies so I can live with the guilt of making her stress by having to wake me up. I should note I texted her and asked if she d wake me up in a half hour. I had a plate from breakfast, and she saw that and threw it on the ground. I asked her not to and she dug everything out from under my bed holding up a tshirt saying my filth (in an otherwise spotless room) is to it s max. I am writing a school report and asked if we can do this another time and she took a water bottle and poured it on the ground. She still tries to tell my 30 year old brother what he can and can not do. If I ask her to calm down she raises her fist and tells me "You may think I m a horrible mother, but I m so much better than any other mother in the world." After all of this I ll be really upset and she realizes and she takes my phone so I can t tell anyone what happened. Then she expects me to always immediately forgive her, or it starts all over again. I met a great aunt for the first time on the phone last month, and last week she was yelling at me and stopped to call my aunt to ask if I ever get mad at her when she yells at me. My aunt was really confused because she only talked to me once.

My aunt gave me a ring, and I fell asleep at my sisters college graduation, and it wasn't there when I woke up. I can't find it anywhere. Is there a place that can tell me where to get one similar or make me an identical copy? My aunt keeps asking why I'm not wearing it and I don't know what to do.

My mom said she doesn't see how it's possible for me my friend and I to go alone without adults since we are only 18. We chose Cancun because my friend wants to go to the beach, and I want to party. I already regret making plans with a friend with opposite interests, (My friend who I get along best with, has a baby and I don't think she would be able to go.) and now my mom and my aunt want us to skip Cancun all together and go on a Disney cruise. I have given her no reason to distrust me. I have straight As, I never come back past curfew, I've actually never drank before. I never had a boyfriend, because I didn't want to upset my mom/ I always check in and take her when possible. I don't want to hurt her feelings, but I don't see why her and my aunt should embark on my senior trip with me. My aunt is very controlling, too. I feel like I'm being extremely selfish, though. What to do?

Next year, my friend and I are going on a road trip to Atlanta, Orlando, and Pigeon Forge. I'm based in New Orleans, and she in Atlanta. I was wondering if there was a service where someone would just ride home with me after. It will end up being a 11ish hour trip, being as I am an 18 year old girl, I'd rather not be alone on the interstate. I'm not worried about getting there since I will be excited and day time out, but on the way home, I will be in the dark. Is there anywhere I could find someone to ride home with me besides craigslist?

Thanks, Jade

I'm nearly 18, and I feel like I have no space. My mom and I didn't really have a bad time when I was in my early teens. Most of my friends and their parents fought, but me and mine never did. It seems it has caught up. My emotions, brain, and everything else are basically letting me know it's time to grow up. My mom however, disagrees. Every time I ask her to give me space to find myself she always tells me she is the only person who knows me better than I do. The thing is, she doesn't know me. I am home schooled, which wasn't a problem at first, but now she claims she hates me around so much. What is kind of confusing is, she will not let me go to friends houses. Not even family. It's like she's angry at me for being around, but too scared to let go. I wanted to go to college out of country so I could learn independence. When I mentioned it she cried. I also don't have a license. I'm not allowed to go out to eat with my friends unless their parents go. She complains I spend evenings in my room. It's not that I don't love her. I'm just having a hard time, because I feel like I'm an adult (whether I be one or not), but I'm treated like a child. She tries to say I couldn't go or do anything on my own, because I'm shy and I wouldn't go into go into restaurants alone until I was 7. I'm not saying I don't need her. I need her a lot, but I wish she'd understand that me wanting to go out and do things, doesn't mean she has no say in my life.

I'm 17, and I have 7 siblings. I was never close to any besides one brother. One of my siblings were put up for adoption and I met him today. We definitely have the most in common out of all of them, and were having a great time. He made one remark about how my brother was bossy to me and that I'm letting him get away with having too much power. I instantly became upset because my dad left when I was little so always go to the brother I'm closest to and he fixes my problems. Like one time, my friend and I snuck out and ended up with a bunch of drug dealers and I called him at 2am and he drove 2 hours to come get me and make sure my friend were safe. Of course it was under the condition we tell my mom together, and not hang out with the friend again. He did it in a non judging manner and explained to my mom that he honestly thinks I learned my lesson. Anyways. He's just always there for me. He even helps me study in math (even though he's worse than me) because he said I deserves at least a male figure in my life, regardless of brother or dad. When I got upset with my newly met brother, it made me wonder if I was too dependent on my other brother. Opinions? I know he isn't bossy, I just put him in situations where he doesn't have much of a choice.

I am 17 years old, 4'11, muscular build and female. -If that's of any importance. I currently do Crossfit, and plan to continue until December, and try boxing in January. I really would like to see what one I like best, so I can give my all to one. I have some concerns, though. I want to have a personal trainer. I just work more efficiently, when I have to give complete focus over to what I'm doing. Also, I'm scared to get hit in the face. I'm not worried about breaking my nose or anything, but I am kind of worried that my jaw will basically fall off my face at some point. Is there any way to stop being scared of a foreign fist colliding with my face? Lastly, since I am a girl, will I only be able to box with other girls? I'd rather leave beating up the boys to my big brother.

Thank you in advance!

I am in my senior year of high school. I'm looking to possibly move to Italy (Perferaby north) in the next year or two. I have a few questions. Thank you.

1.) Are Americans welcomed in Italy? I know a lot of countries don't favor America very much and I was wondering if Italy was one of them?

2.) I am currently taking lessons in Italian Language, but I am having trouble fluently speaking it. Would this be a problem?

3.) Would I have trouble making friends there? Would I be more limited to an American circle?

4.) Is 1341.68 Euros enough to live on?

(I would have a car, and my parents would pay my bills besides food/utilities/rent.)

5.) Would I be better off requesting for permanent residency or a student visa?

My parents are moving to the Bahama's, so I'd really have no reason to return to the U.S.. I don't want to gain a student visa and be forced to go to home or be stuck there with residency. Is there any advantages to either one?

6.) Is it dog friendly there? I would like to be able to take my dog. I don't want to neglect her to just time in my apartment if I can find one that allows pets, anyways.

Thank you, and sorry this is somewhat long.

We are 17 and 18. Her mom went through the texts and contacted my mom because she was worried about the path I m on. I am more than uncomfortable with it. I came out of the closet to my friend, and her mom saw that and told my mom. My mom luckily just said that it wasn t her business if I was. I don t know. All of my privacy has been invaded in a place I felt safe. Is there anything I could do? She even took my friends laptop and phone away for 6 months. We didn t even talk about bad stuff.

When I was 11-12 my friends brother who was 17-18 knew that I liked him. He would put his hands in my pants (against my will), he would sit across from me while eating and put his feet in my chair and make me spread my legs so he could rub "there" or he'd hit me. He also frequently would make me play with his male parts. One time he shoved me into the bathroom with him and started to (I'm going to be blunt) masturbate and then collected his semen and forced it in my mouth. He always would squeeze my butt and chest. One time, he even dry humped me. I've always felt uncomfortable with sex. I feel like I was raped, but it's like my mind is saying no because his penis never entered my vagina, only his hands. I stopped complaining after him making me do it a few times, so I feel like it's my fault. When he started I liked him, so I didn't want to tell on him. Now I feel like I was so young and he mislead me, but I still feel like I was wrong? This probably don't make much sense. What's your opinions? Thank you.

My moms birthday is coming up and I don't know what to get her. I usually get her something really nice. I'm kind of debating on getting her some real diamond stud earrings with a Fossil watch. Maybe get a Wal-Mart cake and flowers. Any suggestions? Does that sound alright? Thanks

I'm 17 and I live with my parents. I have finally accepted myself very recently after countless sleepless night and stress filled days. I told 2 people. My main issue is my parents are VERY homophobic. My mom even talked about it today. She says it's disgusting, it's a choice, and all people who aren't straight will go to hell. She also says that if she had a non-straight child she would send them away and disown them. Little does she know, she has one. It took me years to admit to myself that I wasn't straight, it's been the last month that I felt okay with who I am because of her and my dad's (whose even worse) remarks. I don't want to come out to them, but how do I live with these remarks being made everyday? The hell one is the worst because I am a Christian. (Please respect that in the answers).

I would really like to study my first year of Pre-med school abroad. Preferably in Spain. I found a good bit of information online, but no where I could really speak to people who has taken this route. I tried to talk to my parents about this. Instead of helping me they called me immature, selfish, and irresponsible for considering such a stupid thing. Would studying abroad make me all of these things? My parents want me to go to a small community college in town, but I feel like I need space to learn about myself and the world around me.

Thank you for your time, Jade

I have a passion for culture and helping people. So I want to become a doctor. Which they actually like, because they've basically drilled into my head all my life to go into the medical field so I would never be "jobless". I'm about to have to choose a college, and I'd like to study abroad with a specific program that seems really great. I live in New Orleans, and my parents freaked out when I said I was considering go to college in a different state. They said it was immature, irresponsible, and selfish to put myself in that much debt. Not to mention their reaction to me talking about traveling. I don't want to disappoint them, because my siblings are all accountants and doctors, but at the same time I have one life, and I should use my one chance to follow my passions of doctoring people and studying the world. Regardless, I will come out a doctor. Am I being irresponsible?