I’m a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. from Mexico. My mom had this exact attitude all through my childhood, and as you mentioned above, we kids were the ones translating mail, translating out in public, and dealing with the business. (My older sister did the business correspondence. I did the public translation.)

I’ve internalized this attitude and it holds me back a lot. Even though I’m smart, I’m driven, I’m ambitious, I’m great with people, and I would love to work for myself (and I work really well independently, as I found out when I taught yoga at a community college for a semester), I just can’t get over this mindset that says I’m not supposed to be successful. It sounds odd, but it feels like if I’m successful, then I’m leaving behind my family while they’re unsuccessful, and it’s like a slap in the face to them. I HATE this attitude, but don’t know how to move beyond it. I am also pretty loyal when I’m invested in people or any particular thing, and in this case, my “loyalty” to my family (who I actually don’t even speak to much anymore) holds me back significantly.