Brilliant response Erin. I like it. Leaf, you know how great you are, and it's true your poor parents are confused, and are probably feeling somewhat rejected because you're going out when they're not. You have friends and they don't! This is not your problem in any way, but it may help you to feel compassion for them. Given their upbringing (good of you to mention it) they probably have little or no social/emotional skills to help them get on in society. It's amazing they met and married!!
It's brilliant that you have found your way out of the miserable life they have built for you. But this will be difficult. My only other alternative is to read Steve's blog article on
dealing with closed mindedness. I SO love this blog as it gives you the ideal "out statement" for their comments. Rather than directly contradicting your parents, you could try saying "You might be right". Because from where they're coming from, they ARE right. Doesn't mean you have to agree!!
Definitely in your head, if you get any zing that they ARE right, examine yourself carefully to figure out why you might think that. EFT can be good for getting rid of the internal critical voice, or working through these issues. You can get a beginner's guide to get started from my homepage, or try some other techniques often listed here.
Congratulations on your achievements so far Leaf!!
Hazel