There is some good advice here mandazzle. Perna has some good points. You also have to take into consideration that your mother may be backing off because she is in denial, or even that it seems too overwhelming to her. Or, it could be that she feels that she really isn't qualified to give you the right advice or help. It doesn't necessarily mean that she doesn't love you.

Parents are just people mandazzle. They don't have all the answers and they don't do everything perfectly. But it doesn't mean they don't care about you. Did you ever look at something, like algebra and say, I will never understand THAT. You may even try to learn it but it doesn't make sense to you at all. That is what you have to realize about your mom. That is also what rings true in Perna's response.

If you need her to give you a ride you can also just ask. But when you get that ride you should keep in mind that giving you a ride may be all she can do. You could say to her, I know you cant seem to understand, but I am glad that you are at least helping by giving me a ride to the people who do understand and can give me help.

At some point you are going to have to accept that other people are not really going to understand. The most important person that needs to understand is YOU. And all you can do is instead of trying to push your issues in another's lap, you have to accept what they Can give you.

You are helping yourself and it sounds like you are going to the right places. When you ask your parents to help you can just say I am trying to help myself and I need some financial assistance. And that is it. And also say, is there anything you can give to help me?

Good luck Mandazzle
It is good to know that you are getting some help from people who do know how to help.