I love my mother, I really do. It’s just that I feel like I never got the same chance as other kids to learn and develop practical/social life skills. (I’m 20, in college near home, living at home)
My mom was a single mother, as my father had passed when I was still a baby. She was so busy with work and friends that she never had time to teach me things. Which is totally understandable. I was an only child, had zero friends, and wasn’t allowed to play outside, so I spent the majority of my time home alone.
She never allowed me to play with puzzles/paint sets/clay, etc because it was “too messy” and too much of an “ordeal”, so I learned quickly to spend all my time watching TV or drawing (with pencils only).
She did everything, from dress me & pick out my clothes as a little kid, to even doing dishes. I begged to help and to learn, but I was just told, “NO, it’s faster/easier if I just do it”.
Fast forward to my teen years, I was never allowed to learn how to drive, because my mom thought I’d just crash the car and die (either that or hit someone/thing else and go to jail). I was, and am, forbidden from studying abroad which is something I want to do so badly, if I even move out, she says she’ll disown me forever (and she’s done it to other family members, so it’s not a hollow threat).
I’m not allowed to go on rollercoasters, or learn how to surf (even though I do know how to swim, and other people had watched me and said so), when I DO happen to make a friend, I’m never allowed to go out with them unless it’s in one of her “approved” neighborhoods and if I’m home before 8PM. According to her, only rapists and gang members are out after 8PM on weeknights.
As a result, in life I am always at a loss when it comes to the most simple things, such as skateboarding, driving, or even opening a wine bottle.
I have no other family, and no friends, as I keep losing the ones I make due to my mother’s restrictions. I wish there was someone out there who I could pay to teach me these common sense skills! LOL
She won’t even let me apply to Wharton or Harvard business schools (and I have a decent shot at it), because she thinks I can’t survive on my own. (I have a job, promoted to manager, and I’m doing well. I never had trouble getting jobs, past the resume stage).
I bought a “How to Do Things” manual for basic survival skills and one for home skills. If I study and practice what’s in those books, could that sufficiently put me up to speed with everyone else? I just want freedom and independence so badly… Let me know what else could help?
Thanks!! 
