[Stevenzachsmom]

Amina, My mother is a wonderful, loving person who never liked animals. It wasn't cultural, as your situation, but my mother is not an animal person. My father was also wonderful. Sadly, I lost him in 2001. He was an animal lover. He brought my first puppy home to me, when I was four years old. I want to make clear that my mother is very supportive of my love for animals. She understands how much my family and I love our pets and is sad for us when we lose one.

I know you love and respect your parents, as you should. You are an adult. You need to set boundaries for your Mom. You don't need to be nasty or confrontational. You do need to be firm. You can't live your life being pushed around. You cannot live your life trying to please others.