elietrask

I'm in the EXACT same boat! Someone please help this fetus (me) file his first tax return. On Turbotax I'm getting money back ($63 NY), but I'm afraid I didn't fill this out right because many of my classmates said they had to pay taxes- also, my fellowship went straight into my bank account untaxed. Doesn't that mean I should owe money? I followed the directions and reported the fellowship money under "Scholarship listed on 1098-T," but that did nothing to my refund/penalty score...

Everyone- Thanks so much for all the support and input. You're wonderful people, and apparently better sons and daughters than I am (though I'm not exactly evil spawn!). Happy to update that my mom and I made a pre-move trip to Ikea to scope the goods, which was quite successfully painless -- and rather fun, actually. Plus, I realized I had no idea what to look for in a mattress, where to even start to pick one out. With 30+ years of experience in that arena, though, the Moms was super useful. I'll be sure to thank her by taking her to my favorite Manhattan cafes, parks and museums in between errands, and, when I need, to remind her sensitively that her son is no longer a little boy, but rather a big big man boy. Elie

Thanks for the comforting words, wildviolet. That's really sweet.

I've been waking up to pangs of anxiety -- heart's literally pounding right now -- at the thought of spending an entire week alone with my mother, who insists that we need all that time to move into my new apartment before I start my PhD program (she's flying up with me). I, on the other hand, am doing this completely for her. I've moved in and out of my dorms and apartments all throughout college by myself. But all of a sudden, because this is a "real" abode, she thinks I need her help. I love my mother, but too much time with her and I go crazy. (Don't we all?) My friends say, "Don't be a jerk. Just let her do it. Pretend you need her. This will be her last chance to be a mom." And I'm sure some smart a$$ on here will make an off-putting comment about my whining- but man, if you knew my mother... When I'm back home and out with friends, she calls in tears b/c she's worried I'm doing something bad (like shooting up, or drinking alcohol, or worse, SMOKING CIGARETTES). I'm already the youngest in my cohort. I feel like Britney, bringing along Mama to help set up. But is that just fine? Do mothers help their adult kids move in? I really need her to let go, but if this is really important to her, I also really need to bite my tongue and just do it, right? What are all your situations this coming migration? Loved, suffocated, and trying real hard to be grateful, Elie

deleted