It can be tough being an only child, especially when dealing with your parents. Usually parents are overprotective because they really love and care about their kids. Your mom probably has high expectations because she wants you to do well. But sometimes parents' expectations can be unreasonable. It's hard to say from your letter if this is the case.

These expectations can put a lot of pressure on you, and could even make you want to do things just to make her upset or angry. Unfortunately, doing that doesn't usually work in your favor. For example, if you decide to stay out late without telling your mom and she gets mad when you get home, she is less likely to trust you, and therefore more likely to keep being overprotective.

Instead, let her know that you're responsible. It's pretty easy to call your mom to let her know what's going on--if you're going out and may be late getting home, for example. Or if you have a proposal about something, show her you think it's a good idea with research or some kind of evidence proving your case.

As for the issue of her going through your stuff: You are entitled to your own privacy, and as you get older it's important to be able to have your own things and not worry about your mom or anyone else going through them. I mean, your mom wouldn't like it if you went through her stuff, right?

If you have trouble expressing yourself to your mom without getting yelled at, you could write her a letter explaining how you feel. Or you could try to talk to her when you are both calm and not doing something else. Or maybe talk about this with another relative whom you trust; he or she might be able to tell your mom how you feel.