Posted by:
dragging
(
)
Date: January 04, 2016 08:47PM
damyn,
What are your plans for independence? If you're almost 18, are you getting ready to graduate or take the GED?
You asked for advice, so here it is, as straight as I can be.
You are already considered an adult, for all intents and purposes, so it is time to act like it. Complaining about TV or electronics time is no way to demonstrate maturity, unless that electronics time is to further your goals of being an independent, self-sufficient adult. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with electronics if you're self-balanced in advancing the needs and wants of your future vs. leisure time.
When online, are you researching which school you want to attend and why, how you're going to fund that education, what prerequisites there are, what subjects interest you? I'm not suggesting that you need spend 100% of your online time doing these things, but if you don't want to spend a big portion of your young adulthood being bossed about by parents, or marry someone you don't know very well, or go on a mission just to escape, you should at least have some lists already started, if not a binder.
THOSE are the questions I want for (from) you. (And there are many very smart, experienced people on this board who can help with suggestions and answers - many voices who have been there, done that.)
Don't think I'm coming down hard on you; I hear your frustration. What I'm trying to get across is that you ALREADY have options, but you write nothing of what you're doing to get yourself out of this situation that is making you feel so bad.
I don't think you're a "debbie downer." I think you're a young lady who expresses herself well, but one who isn't exercising the POWER and WILL you so clearly have! I want you to STOP focusing on what your parents are/are not doing, and START focucusing on YOUR FUTURE, WHICH IS ALREADY YOURS.
Cooperate with your parents, so that they may be more willing to cooperate in helping YOU to become FREE, to do as you will with your life! Sometimes, you have to keep your goals to yourself in order to get what you need.
There. I'm done. I tried to tell you what I would say to my kid sister if she felt trapped and powerless, and just couldn't see that it was up to her, and only her, to become untrapped, and be the designer of her own life.
The power is yours, you are already free, you only have to use it as an adult.
I'm glad you're posting here, and sorry for the sermon. Best to you.