Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

Please don't read into it anymore than what I've posted. *I* want to not have *ANY* strings from anyone. Be it my parents, my boss, etc. I want to determine my own fate. So in applying these same logics, I saved up 6 months of salary so that when my boss says, "JUMP!" I don't have to say "How high?" I can decide for myself if I care to jump or not. I don't live in fear of insubordination. Work is at will and it's an EVEN at will for me, not the power differential you speak of that most people live in fear.

It's not the same thing as some other families that have conditions to gifts etc. I know that there is no such thing as a free lunch. There's always a hook. Again, do not read into it more than that, it's just how I feel I want to interface with the world, on my terms not someone else's.

Now, power struggles happen all the time, look at people who plan their weddings with having to invite Aunt so and so, who the bride hasn't seen in years, but has to because of family politics. Again, I don't want someone to dictate to me what I can and cannot do. I will create my own reality and be responsible for it 100%.

This is yet another reason why I don't wish to have children as people will continually be telling me how I should be raising my child and I'm not quite interested in being told. You have your opinion on how YOUR children should be raised, and you should not inflict that upon others. You are free to share it, but not impose it.