So this is it...I have made myself a job instead of begging someone else for one, and it's going great. I have clients, I have new client meetings every week. I'm getting referrals, I'm building a network. People love the work that I'm doing and think it's a great service.

I call my mom to update her on the big new client I got, a major player in medical research at a large institution known nationally, and how this client was opening new doors for me. I told her how excited I am about my work and loving it, and how motivated I feel.

I told her I don't even check the job boards really anymore because this is my job, and I'm making it. I run my own business and I'm surviving...

I'm hoping that she'll be happy for me or express that she's proud of me...I tell her it's quite possible, if things go very well, that I could make six figures this year.

But no, no encouragement, no expression of pride in her very smart and talented daughter. As usual, nothing I do is never enough for my family to think anything good of me. Her response was to let me know that the low-paying job at her employer is still open and I should apply to it.

Why would I want to sweat my *** off working for someone else when I can work for myself and make the same or quite possibly more?

It's just frustrating and a downer. I feel deflated. I was hoping my mom would be a cheer leader for me. I guess I forgot that it's impossible to please my family.

Seesaw