So I thought I would feel better to just ask for help here. About a great ago I met someone online and it turned into a great friendship. Now it's summer and we've talked about wanting to visit each other since we live in complete opposite sides of the world. I know how people feel about online strangers. After all the tv shows about sexual predators and other criminals preying on the naivety of online users. Well I'm not one of those nor is the person I'll be talking about. I know a year isn't enough for most to say they know someone, but we've messaged each other non-stop everyday since the day we've met. And right know it feels like I've known them longer than most friends. We just click. We've also Skype and I can safely say that they aren't a 40 year old Pedro looking for an innocent person to stalk. In fact they're 3 years younger than me. Now I didn't believe that we would actually be able to meet for another few years because I'll be starting college and I don't even have a job or money to travel and visit them. But they just recently told me that they could come visit me and it made me so happy. I know my mom wouldn't like the idea because to her this is an online stranger. I understand that she's worried because she doesn't know them. I mean I would think most parents would be wary of someone their child met online after all the things that show up in the news or media. There are bad people out there but it doesn't mean everyone is. And my mom really isn't a very trusting person, but sometimes she just confuses me.

The point of this story is that this friend now has the opportunity to come here and meet me. I tried easing my mom into the idea and she did not like it at all. I only told her that it was a possibility that they could come. It's not set in stone yet. She said, "I don't want anyone here. Do you know how many people lie about who they are online just to try and get things out of you? Do you know how many sick people are out there? I don't want ANYONE coming here." She didn't even let me try to explain to her.

I guess what really pisses me of is that I know and trust this person but my mom won't even give them a chance. She doesn't know much of my friends here nor has she met many of them, yet she still let's me go over to their houses or hang out with them. My question is how is this any different? At least I was honest and told her about them. I didn't try to hide it or anything. I remember when I went on my first date with my first boyfriend. We were only together for about three months and it took her a month to actually ask me what his name was. Our first date was within two weeks of our relationship. She never met him at all, never talked to him, never knew his age, or even what he looked like. But in only two weeks she was okay with dropping me off at the movies for our date. So she trusts him apparently but not me to meet with someone I've already seen and known for much longer? I don't understand that. And it really makes me upset that she can't trust me with this one person. I only want to meet them, show them around and have fun! Go to the city, an arcade, etc. I'm just upset because I don't keep secrets from her and I don't sneak around behind her back or anything. I really want to meet them and this might be my only chance for a while. But mom probably won't let me.

Please help me and give me advice. What do you think about this? Am I being naive? How could I tell my mom about this and try to convince her that this person isn't bad and that we really only want to meet and hang out. Please help me.

In my opinion your mum is being very logical, but I do see what your point is. If I was you I would sit down with your mum and calmly talk through the situation, maybe show your mum the person on skype or stuff like that. If that doesn't work you could always compromise and take your mum with you so she can see with her own eyes that this person shows no threats towards you. (have your mum wait in the car or from a safe distant. I hope this was helpful.

Thank you. I know my mom's just looking out for me because she cares. I was thinking about calling and letting my mom talk to them and see them over Skype. It's just trying to get her to do that will be a little hard too. And I would have no problem taking her to see my friend. My friends is okay with it too! I know my mom and I know how she is so unfortunately a calm conversation probably won't last. I'll try my best though, so thank you.

People who have never experienced a true online interaction with someone can easily be skeptical about such things especially when it has to do with that person's child. I would recommend what The Hermit said and introduce your mother to this person over Skype or something similar or let your mother contact this person's parents as they may be just as worried. Your mother has every right to be cautious but from the way you are putting it, it sounds like you know this person and it is even safer and less likely to backfire then someone whom you've just met in person.

Well me and my friend gave already decided that we're going to Skype with our parents. I think my mom would feel a teensy but better about it but it's going to take some talking to convince her to talk to them. I have two weeks to convince her to Skype with them so I'll see how it goes. Thank you again for the support, both of you.