Sorry! Aside from that criticism i do like what he said about the little dictator - i can see that in myself too, esp talking to relatives. Geez my mom used to push me around SO MUCH. So telling your mom, these are our travel plans and not getting any pushback, i think thats a very tangible sign of progress. Thats like my aunt said to me yesterday, call us when you find your passport. Not "hurry up and find your passport." Not a demeaning command, just defining a boundary.