tired of the in-between...

At the age of twenty (almost twenty-one), I seem to be stuck in between childhood and adult hood.  All of my peers accept that I am now an adult.  The law considers me an adult.  However, my family still look at me as a child.  They still treat me as a child.  No one seems to understand that I have my own goals, dreams, and well life in general.  I have been married for almost two years and am about three months away from motherhood.  Things are tight right now and I have had to lean on my family for financial support but that doesn't make me any less of an adult.  Every one has rough times.  I am just tired of being walked on and forgotten.  Most of the conversations I have with my family end in a lecture and me defending myself.  I just don't feel like it should be this way anymore.  I am so afraid that they will continue to treat me this way in front of Emy.  However, they are in for a rude awakening because I will refuse to let them patronize me in front of my child.  It would be impossible for me to earn my daughter's respect while putting up with the treatment I am currently enduring.  I know I should start trying to change things now but I just don't know how.  In some ways, I hope Emy's arrival will help them realize that I am my own woman now.  I pray that I do not have to do anything drastic.  Actually, I am just praying for peace, strength, and guidance in general during this difficult time.  I know that God is more than enough for my situation.  Please Lord, help me to learn from my experiences and not treat my child in the same negative way I have been treated.  My daughter deserves better.  Thank you Lord for all you have given me.