Q: My mom is taking over my life! She goes through my cell phone and checks my text messages, goes through my computer and reads all my instant messenger conversations, and on top of all that still doesn’t trust me! I am a really good girl, but she doubts me so much that it’s killing me. HELP!

A: I am sorry that this is what it has come down to, but you need to understand your mother’s concern.  My advice to you is to have a nice little chat with her and tell her all of your concerns. Explain to her very calmly and rationally that your privacy is very valuable to you. If that doesn’t work try and compromise, take an hour or so every night to tell her what is going on in your life. Communication is the key, the more you communicate, the more your mother will learn to trust you.