Some important context – I'm (24F) living with my Christian, first-gen immigrant parents. I work part-time at a clinic, so I don't get paid enough to move out BUT I will be finishing off my degree in a few months. My parents don't know I'm agnostic, and I plan to keep it that way until I move out.
I don't think it would be an understatement to say my parents are controlling and manipulative. I'd hate to vent about my family drama, as it's pretty personal. I've been hurt, mentally and emotionally, by my parents one too many times.
I've been dating my boyfriend (24M) for over a year now. My parents will never approve of him because he wasn't raised in a Christian household – so to protect our peace, I decided to keep our relationship a secret.
If my parents were against him due to other factors, i.e. bad habits, abusive tendencies, general red flags etc., then I would be sitting down and self-reflecting. I've been single long enough to set good standards, and it's safe to say my relationship is as healthy as it can be. For the past year, my boyfriend has been nothing but respectful and kind to me, my friends and my sisters. He has somehow managed to have everyone in my life fall in love with him, even my professor loves him!
To the people with similar experiences, any piece of advice for how to move forward? Should I confess my relationship to my parents, keep things secret until I'm more independent or end things so I don't have to continue lying?
Many thanks,
from an adult girl who doesn't know how to set healthy boundaries with her parents.