She wants to steal my check!?

Even if she took it, I wouldn't report her. She'd probably go to jail. Plus, its not about the money - its about how she says she can do so many grand things and when the situation comes up, she isn't always able to. (Then, when I say I can do something, I have to prove I can before she believes me. Its a battle of words in this place on bad days.) PS - We're still living in the same apartment, and she's not leaving. She just says she'll leave when she gets angry. (I just wanted to know what the world thought about this.)

Parents can be confusing and contradictory a lot. I think as a parent she feels like she has to make you believe she's capable of doing these great things, because the best way a parent can teach a child is by example. So if she says she can do something, then perhaps you will think you can do it too. But when you say that you can do something she wants you to actually do it, so in her mind she is saying "If I say I don't think she can do it, then she's going to feel like she has to prove me wrong by doing it". This is one possibility. I don't know your mom so I can't say this is what she is thinking, but it might be. Parents are wrong sometimes. I know it's a shocker, but it's true. Even when they think they're right, sometimes they're wrong. Just try to remember that your mom is a person just like you. She tries her best, but sometimes it's not enough. I'm sure she loves you and only wants what is best for you. I am sorry that you argue a lot. It will get better when you do eventually get your own place, but I hope it gets better before then.

She told me that she doesn't mean to sound like she's discouraging me. She's trying to warn me about how tough the world is. I wish she wouldn't say things the way she does, though. (We usually don't argue unless there are money or cleaning problems.)

Even though its for my education?