Hello everyone, I’m an 18-year-old female, and my mum has never allowed me to go out. I haven’t been in school since last year, but I’m starting again in September. Ever since I was in secondary school, I’ve never been allowed to go to friends’ houses, birthday parties, or even simple outings. I understand where my mum is coming from, but I was also sent to a school where everyone was intelligent and well-off, so no boy could try to win us over with money. My friend group was very fun, but we never did anything out of line. I graduated secondary school last year and thought after graduation I’d be able to go places with my friends and have more freedom. But it got worse, and I started to feel depressed. I had no one to talk to because none of my siblings were around. I used to bed rot all day because I was literally paid by my mum to stay at home and not go out with my friends. Around January this year, I started learning a skill and never tried to betray my parents’ trust. I always went from work to home and vice versa.
My mum got me a laptop and later an iPhone 16 for my birthday instead of a 14 Pro Max, but I don’t think she understands that money and gifts don’t always buy happiness. I’m starting to feel depressed again and have become very socially awkward. My confidence and self-esteem are fading, and I worry I won’t be able to make friends easily when I get back to school because I now find it hard to hold conversations with people. All I want is to go to the movies with my friends or grab food with them. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Please, can you advise me on how I can speak to my mum in a way that she’ll understand without making her feel like I don’t appreciate her?
Also read: I Haven’t Moved On From My Ex