Am I Overthinking My Situation at Home?

Basically, I'm a 17 year old senior - male, who's going to graduate next year and I really want to get out of the house. Not solely for academic reasons, but more importantly my overprotecting mom. I heard that overprotective parents love their kids more, but I believe it's been impacting me in a negative way.

My mother who has raised me alone, taught me to basically always stay home and never leave the nest for whatever reason, but I really want to pursue my academics to being a doctor by going to a top state school, but my mother really wants me to be a businessman and go to a local community college, so I can be home and watch my 15 year old brother when she goes for her part time job.

Not only does she want me to stay home, I can't join after school sports and do ASB positions because it requires a meeting after school for an hour. Nor can I go out with my friends at the weekends, I have a curfew at 4PM and I can't go anywhere basically without my mother. I'm pretty sure I'm also not spoiled because we have not been going out to restaurants or buying clothes for fun.

Also, she restricts me from using technology. I have an iPhone 4, but once I arrive home I have to hand it to her, nor can I watch TV, but I have a desktop computer in my living room that I can use freely, but mind you it's over 10 years old and everyone can see what I'm doing. Also I can't drive until I'm 21, because I'm deemed irresponsible because I lost my wallet when I was 10.

Added (1). To sum up my point, should I leave my family for my passion or stay to be overtly nurtured by my mother?

Added (2). I have more scenarios than this but the letter count max is only 500

I'm also your age with overprotective parents. Sounds tough, man. I offer you my sympathies
Though I don't have the answers, necessarily--I do think that it is VERY important that you do things for YOU. Not only will it show your mother (even subconsciously) that you are emotionally independent, you will also build a stronger sense of self and possibly even get into that school!

Best of luck, you're not alone.

Your mother is way over-controlling. She's ruling your life to suit her. I'd be out of there and heading far away from that. Good luck with your life, do with it what you want, not what she wants.

What is wrong with your 15-year-old brother that makes him so incompetent that he can't watch himself?

How does she know whether & how you use your TV & computer if she isn't even home?

How will she stop you from learning to drive after you turn 18?

Study as hard as you can after school so you can get a scholarship and thus financial independence. Talk with your guidance counselor if you think she'll cut you off financially after graduation.

Nah. But… It would be nice to help her find someone so she doesn't get lonely. A boyfriend, perhaps?

This sounds more like over-controlling than it does protecting. Goodness gracious!

Once you become an adult, you don't have to do anything she says. Go to a school far away with dorms. Get scholarships. Get grants (you have to apply for grants and scholarships early, so start researching now!) You can live on campus. Meet people. Maybe have a friend (hopefully several years old or an adult) teach you to drive at some point.

The enviornment you are in is not healthy at all. But at your age, you can't do anything about it. So start preparing. Prepare now.

Will your mother oppose this? Oh yes! Absolutely she will. She will not want you to go, obviously. You have to get out. You have to find a way after you graduate.

Seriously, start researching schools. Start looking into scholarships you can receive or grants. IF it won't cover it all, then get student loans for the rest. Be frugal with your money… Stay in school and make something of your life.

I don't think so

18 is time to start your own independent adult life. So plan accordingly.

There's nothing to stop you from checking on your mother regularly.