Hi, Elana,

You know you can refuse to play the part they apparently have wanted you to play since you were small. You don't have to be anyone else but you, the real you. You don't have to act the way they want you to. You don't have to say the things they want you to say. You don't have to dress the way they want you to dress. And you don't have to be aggressive about it. You can do it calmly and quietly.

Just quietly presenting them with the real you. They'll get used to it. Really they will. They have no choice. You are important. Their only child. You are the one that now has power over them, they no longer have power over you. Unless you give them that power, and that's something you don't have to do. Just quietly and calmly be yourself. They may be stunned, but, as I said, in the end they'll adjust to it. Think about it. And take care!