Poll: My mom's trying to take away MY computer

[Icarion (aka Stockholm)]

Go through the most complicated and convoluted explanation ever of how your computer and computers in general work. Then give her like 500 steps to do after start up and a reason to do each of them. I think I've done this before to my siblings, but I can't remember the exact event. She will never go near it. As soon as people see how hard things are they often give up.

 

[RobCoxxy]

I really cannot say what hasn't already been said so i guess this is really just

/thread

But I do agree with most people, it is yours and you did practically build it. If your mother tries to claim ownership of it have an intelligent conversation or just pick it up and walk out of the house with it and either:

1) Smash it on the ground and laugh in her face.
2) Say "I paid for the drink holders of the car, they're mine now!" and drive away.
3) Move into your own apartment and never look back.
4) Do option one but then say "Oops, butterfingers" then laugh.
5) roll on the ground screaming "It's mine" and "Why didn't you just have an abortion!"
6) rip out the parts that are hers and throw them at her house.
7) give her the case of the computer with rocks or something inside so it feels heavy, then leave and wait for her to get pissed about you stealing.
8) Spit in her eye and walk away.

I personally like number 3 and 1 but it is your choice.

I like your style. Although there's not enough use of burning things here.

 

[Shock and Awe]

Buy a new case and CD-drive, then.

I like that, when she threatens to take it again just giver her back everything that she bought.

 

[Crimsane]

Therumancer has the right track. Parents don't stop parenting just because you turned 18. You're obviously doing something she sees to be unhealthy for you.

The fact that you came here to rant about it makes me wonder if it's simply spending too long on the internet and shirking responsibilities.

Solutions? Passive-aggressive idiocy and poor jokes spewn here typical of internet posts aside, moving out is a decent solution. Then you'll have to take care of yourself, attend to responsibilities like bills promptly and generally gain a whole new appreciation for everything you didn't have to do when you lived at home.

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

Do what I used to do when my sister would try to take my stuff when we were kids. Just lick the computer. Then your mom will be too grossed out to touch it.

Seriously, though, just try having a rational discussion with her.

I should edit the post and add some things

all rational discussions end in her getting mad and yelling and going on about it being "her" computer, and end in her threatening to take it away if I don't say she's right and I'm wrong

EDIT: and this has been going on for a year now (got the computer upgraded fully at 17)

Ah, the "crazy mom." It all makes sense now.
Sorry, I can't offer any advice, I've been trying to figure out how to deal with irrational moms for almost 22 years.

 

[Liberaliter]

Wow, man up and stand up to your mom. What's wrong with you? You're 18 man.

 

[Macgyvercas]

It may be your computer, but if your mother is paying the electric bill, she kinda has you on a leash. My mother has me on that one. She's never actually followed through though.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

The question is, why is she threatening to take it away?
I doubt she is doing it just to be a *****

Surprised no one asked this yet.

Yeah, I'm beginning to wonder if this isn't just some kid whining about how his mom is actually punishing him for once.

Yup, right here. This whole...let's say "story" seems very one-sided.

Also, it's hers because no matter how old you are, you are still living in the house she's paying for. Technically, she owns everything in it. I'm 19, and I understand this concept. If you don't like it, move out.

So if I left something at a friends house he/she parents would own it since they own everything in the house? Sounds a bit odd.

*facepalm*

No, they wouldn't, because you don't LIVE in their house. Look, this is a really simple concept. She pays for your food, shelter, etc, so you have to follow her rules or move out. I can't believe you've gone this long without anyone explaining this to you.

 

[Uncreation]

If you still have the old parts, just buy a new case and then put her computer back together and give it to her.
Also, if you can move out, then, yeah, i guess that could be a solution to this sort of thing happening in the future.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

If you still live in her house and it was originally hers, its hers. Also whats with all these "my mom is" threads today?

methinks trolls

And I think pointless statement.

 

[Jamieson 90]

Regardless of whether it is your property or hers as your parent she can still take it away from you as a punishement if she thinks thats the best thing to do. If you live in her house then its pretty simple follow her rules or find somewhere else to live. I know which one is worse and it should not take you long to figure it out either.

As for who owns it I would say you do. You should sit down with her and explain how you feel. Tell her how you spent your own money on buying the parts and how you spent the time rebuilding the PC. Argue that she should recognise that the PC is yours but you should recognise she has the right to stop you using it, especially if she pays for the electricity and ISP costs.

 

[TitanAtlas]

get her a crappy little cheap notebook or something and if she keeps yelling simply tell her, i made it, you keep damaging it, so get your own.....

Or simply create admin accounts and give her "limited acess" (kinda like what parents should do to kids, but the other way around).

 

[martin's a madman]

Take out everything that you paid for and give her what is hers. I think that'd be hilarious. She'll have a nice plastic casing and a CD drive. Then, go buy a cheap stock computer that looks pretty and put your fabulous hardware in it.

 

[Why do I care]

Well, she gave it to you, so it is yours.

It might depend on the state you're in, but legally speaking, I believe the rule of thumb is that, if something is given to you as a gift, they don't have the right to take it away. I know I'm echoing what a lot of other people said, but I'm basically just trying to add on the point that, from a legal standpoint, you'd probably be right, even if you hadn't replaced any parts.

What he said.

 

[ReservoirAngel]

Take out all the stuff you bought, and just give her what's left. that way she technically gets HER computer back, and you get to be a spiteful ass and see the look on her face when you hand her an empty shell of a computer.

 

[DirgeNovak]

Being a ***** about it won't help your case. Just show her how much you paid to modify it over the years. I don't think she would want to take it away if she knew how much you paid. And if the underlying problem is that she feels she doesn't have enough access to the computer because you're always on it (your original post gave me this impression), offer to rebuild her old computer if you still have the parts. She (or you) would only have to get a new case and CD drive, and everything would be settled.

 

[Lonan]

You just have to explain to her that you're changed all the parts and that if she wants it back, you'll take out all the parts that belong to you. Maybe she doesn't understand computers, and you haven't told her that you changed the parts. Or maybe you aren't doing other things she wants you to do and is attempting to coerce you into doing them. If it's just what you said, and you aren't leaving anything out, then my opinion is my first sentence.

 

[voetballeeuw]

Take out everything that you paid for and give her what is hers. I think that'd be hilarious. She'll have a nice plastic casing and a CD drive. Then, go buy a cheap stock computer that looks pretty and put your fabulous hardware in it.

I'm going to second this.

 

[Dexiro]

Take out the parts that you own and give her the case and the cd drive back. Then buy your own case and it's 100% yours.