I remember one Christmas when my brother (14 then) got $200 worth of shoes from my Mom and I (17) didn't get anything. Okay, maybe I got a "Merry Christmas", but I didn't get anything other than that. It still bugs me up till now. My Mom told me that she got it for him because he wanted it and would not stop complaining if he did not get it. She told me that I would get a Christmas present at a later time and I, being my gullible and understanding self, believed her. I didn't get that later gift she promised. Was it that there wasn't any money to spend on me?

I'm working part-time now and I'm a bit confused on how my check is being spent. Before I started working, my family hadn't been in need of any money we did not already have. It's weird now because I don't even get to use my money for the things I want/need. My Mom plans out how to use it without even letting me know until I get the money. She also likes to "borrow" money from me and not my brother because I'm supposed to be the "understanding" son.

I don't get it. Is it money that's the problem, or am I being self-centered about all this?