Skip to content

My mother is smothering me

I am a 15-year-old boy, and my mother is very protective. For about three years, I’ve craved a longer leash and have asked Mom to give me more independence.

Dear Annie: I am a 15-year-old boy, and my mother is very protective. For about three years, I’ve craved a longer leash and have asked Mom to give me more independence.

Her only reply is, “The world is too dangerous for my little bird.”

My mother says she wants to spend more time with me, give me more hugs and spoil me. I’m trying to break away, not be smothered.

All I’m asking is to take bike rides and walks by myself. What can I do to convince her to let go a little? — Craving Independence

Dear Craving: Some overprotective parents think they are shielding their children from the cruel world, but in reality, they are simply preventing them from learning how to cope with life.

She can still give you plenty of hugs, but responsible self-reliance should be encouraged.

Show your Mom this letter, and tell her you wrote it.

We hope she can loosen the apron strings a little. And if that doesn’t help, please discuss the situation with your guidance counselor when school resumes.

Dear Annie: “Wondering About the Brew in Massachusetts” asked if non- alcoholic beer could be harmful to recovering alcoholics. I

disagree with your response that it could be for some. The amount of alcohol is miniscule.

My husband was finally able to quit drinking, and non-alcoholic beer has been his key to success.

It makes him feel less deprived and helps to satisfy him, and he knows he must always be vigilant.

Our family is grateful every day that we have our husband and father back.

We had forgotten what a nice person he is. Being around a mean, nasty person for 45 years was not easy. — Mr. Nice Guy’s Wife in California

Dear Wife: We will reiterate our original response: The smell (not the taste) of non-alcoholic beer can trigger a relapse in some alcoholics.

We’re glad that wasn’t the case for your husband, but each reaction is individual, and one needs to be careful.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. To find out more about Annie’s Mailbox and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.