[Marilyn]

Ponyup, it's hard to make a judgment with the information that you provided. There is definitely a lot more to the story than we are seeing here. My suggestion would be for you to first find a good councelor who can help you with your self esteem issues. You have to feel good about yourself to have the confidence to in order to improve your situation. If you really want to stay in the family business, you must first realize your worth and the contribution that you have to make. Then you must convince your parents that there is more to you than they think there is. The best way to do this is to do more than your position requires, go above and beyond. It will be an uphill climb, and is not for the faint hearted. You can change even their perception of you if you set your mind to it and realize that you are somebody who they can depend on.

This means getting to work early, and staying late. Asking for more work to do than you are assigned. You have to be driven in your attitude and not lose heart when they criticize. It will take time and they will be critical of you and be watching you. You will have to do your job so well that they will be ready to give you more responsibility. They probably won't just hand you another more challenging position, you will have to work your way up to it over time.

If you are not ready to get the counseling that is needed and not willing to work hard to change their perception of you, then if you want to improve your situation, your only choice is to move on and work somewhere else or go back to school and try to get to a position to be able to work somewhere else.

Bottomline, you are in charge. You have control of your destiny and a huge part of it is building your self confidence so you are ready to handle the challenges that your work and life place in your path.

You are stronger than you think you are!!! You can do it, and we are here to cheer you on!!!!!!!! Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We do care very much!!!