funeralxempire wrote:
To be fair, I basically laid out what I had to do when I was your age and in a largely similar position in terms of finances and dependency, I'm not 100% sure cuz I did work part-time, but only limited hours. I was also still in high school and year minimum from having adequate credits to graduate. All of the concerns you mention had to be weighed, and the consequences considered - as well as potential strategies for dealing with those - I knew they'd punish me, but they understood I too could and would impose consequences and that since I wouldn't tolerate being punished that effectively made that route more likely to lead to exponential blowback than to achieve the desired outcome. Basically, while it might be fair to suggest I was using 'adulthood' in an inherently childish and immature way, once I pointed out that pretty much any repercussions to the current set of 'autonomy goals' could be countered with additional ones and that I was absolutely prepared to respond in my usual scorched earth manner it forced a new, more lenient approach.
I was both bigger, and since I hadn't started smoking weed regularly a lot meaner so it's not like a physical response was ever even considered.
You can't kick someone out who's already used moving out as a potential response. If you're already not living there that's a non-issue, you already hold the high ground.
Once the new account is setup, that leverage is removed (as long as you follow up on all your expenses and direct deposits, but if you do it at the same bank they often can help with that). If you have a valid claim on the money and move it, you've taken the initiate and forced the other party to respond - if your mom really wants to take you to court she can try, but even then she might waste a bunch more money and lose, that's not a likely consequence so if you wanted to take the initiative you'd succeed and remove one source of leverage she has; you know, unless you'd rather leave that stick in her hand for her to hit you with, at least once you're holding it you get to decide how it's used from that point on.
Ultimately you gotta make your own cost/benefit analysis and I'm not questioning that you've made it correctly for your circumstances, temperament, way you value everything involved etc. I'm only suggesting that it's not inherently impossible. You've probably responded more maturely than I would have/did at that age, but that's not to suggest it's not a 'winnable' scenario.
Sounds fair. I just dont think it would work in this particular circumstance. My mother doesnt need to take me to court, she knows I cant afford to live on my own without her help. I wouldnt be able to pay for college, housing, or food. And without a job, I have no way to make that money. Id just get in a whole lotta trouble, and in my case Id lose. Spectacularly. I have no offense or defense. (lol the parallel here is kinda funny. Im five foot nothing and every person in my family but my mother-who is still 5'8"-is over a foot taller than me, male, and works out every day. Its been a while, but I still remember what a good ole belting feels like. And thats them being lenient)
Anyway, it was a cool convo. This is just one battle thats not worth fighting. Im glad it seemed to work out for you (?) but its not really too big a deal for me. A minor grievance really.
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