Parents and Girlfriend

I guess your family is scared that because she is older she will manipulate you or hurt you in some way. I can’t help but think that they are just trying to protect you because they still see you as someone too young to know any better. True that 18 years old is still very young and I imagine it’s scary to see your son with someone much older. They probably think they you’ll be unhappy and maybe not have a chance for “normal” relationship with someone your own age since your needs and wants compared to hers are so different. I think they see you as a little boy, unaware of all this and they probably think that they can still manipulate you because they have the economic control over your life. This is where you have to try to explain to them one last time, calmly, no screaming, no getting angry, just explain to them that you are not a little boy anymore, that you are a young man. Explain to them that you care about this person, that you are aware that it might not work out because of the age difference but that you still want to try. Explain that you have the right to choosing your partners and that you love them dearly but they can not control your life. Explain how much you care about them, how you wish they would just be proud of you and support you. If they still can’t accept after all that, then you’ll just have to remain calm, show them your mature enough to make your own decisions, tell them that you’ll call them every week (and do!) but that it’s time to go your own way for a little while. I really hope they continue to help you in your studies though. Try to convince them on the importance of their assistance. They’ve supported you so far, trusted you, help you become the young man that you are, try to help them see that you aren’t so this to hurt them, that you aren’t naive, you just want to grow up. It seems bad now but they’ll get you use to it in time, they have to grow up too! Good luck!!!