<p>My take – The context of your argument can’t be ignored. Your mom wasn’t taking credit for your college admission at all. She was smacking down your words of defiance by pointing out that, left to your own devices, you were unlikely to follow through and obtain that admission.</p>
<p>From a parent’s perspective, it makes plenty of sense: Keep the kid at home, he has time to spend on college apps, he gets them done, he gets accepted, there is much rejoicing. Let him go out again, and he’s right back to slacking. She’s acting in what she understands to be your best interest, based on what she has observed from your behavior and its results. She probably hates the thought that she “has to” step in and keep you on the right track, and she probably worries herself half to death about how you’ll fare when you head off to Macalester next year. (Aside – Staying up nights worrying about you will not make her a pleasant person to be around. :D)</p>
<p>You shaped up. You did well. But then you slacked off. That puts you in a tougher position this time, because you’ll have to work twice as hard to earn her trust in your responsibility. You see, trust is earned over a very long period of consistent behavior – and it can be broken in one foolish act.</p>
<p>I’d suggest you try sitting down with her and working out a contract whereby you can earn a night out for a concert you’re really looking forward to, and gradually earn more privileges as the year plays out. Avoid petulance and childish recriminations in the process; you’re asking to be treated like an adult, so you need to behave like one. If you can get a contract, honor it to the letter and keep her informed along the way.</p>
<p>If you can handle this with maturity now, your relationship with your parents will be much better in the years to come. And you’ll be glad for that over time; you’ll gain much more from that relationship than you will from your memories of a few wild concerts with people you probably won’t keep in touch with after high school.</p>