I have a million things I should do (and want to do), like keep up with schoolwork but, instead, I laze around and do nothing. Where's the inspiration?

Dear Totally Bored with No Inspiration,

We all have couch-potato days, but then it feels good to get busy. It could help to schedule something fun—IM chats, movies, skating—then use the hours beforehand to get lots done. A change of scenery might help too. Can you move from the bedroom to the kitchen to do homework? Or go to the library? If you feel overwhelmed, break work into small tasks. And talk to your parents about helping to motivate you. They might think up rewards to inspire you to take on challenges. Think of long-term goals, too. Can you take an art class or join choir? If you continue to feel a complete lack of motivation, you should talk to a counselor to see if something deeper is going on.

Want More Advice? Order Carol Weston’s Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. It’s got the answers to all of your most important questions. So if you're looking for tips, quotes, advice, or just plain info about growing up, friends, boys, school, family stuff, substance abuse, or any problems big and small, check out Dear Carol's Girltalk or For Girls Only. They'll help you feel confident, inspired and energized!

SERIOUS STUFF? For serious issues, don’t wait. Visit our HELP! page now.

For more on Carol Weston, visit her website: carolweston.com

BY ANDREA T. ON 5/9/2008 11:30:00 AM 130 COMMENTS

My brother hits and verbally abuses me. I don’t know if I should tell anyone. When he hits me, he says it’s a joke. I can’t tell my parents because if he were to find out, he would hurt me. Should I tell someone or what?

Dear Want My Brother Back,
Hitting is completely unacceptable, and hormones are no excuse. Some teen boys don’t realize how strong they are and that their punches hurt. Speak up rather than live in fear. Confide in a trusted adult—an aunt, a teacher, a clergyperson—who can help you talk to your parents. Counseling would help too. When you and your brother are getting along, tell him you miss his nice side and that if he hits you anymore, you’re prepared to tell someone. Don’t shout this as a threat; state it as a fact. As for verbal abuse, name-calling is fairly common between sibs and goes both ways, so be sure you’re not fueling his fire. Next time he’s mean, don’t hurl insults back. If he’s screaming because you borrowed his cell phone, instead of saying, "Well, you were stupid to leave it out," say, "Next time I won’t," or "I see your point," since these are argument-enders. Avoid pushing his buttons, and ask your parents to get a lock for your door since the thing to do when someone is unreasonably angry is to get out of harm’s way. There’s a line between being a jerky brother and a scary one, so please know that you can—and should—get help when you need it.

Want More Advice? Order Carol Weston’s Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. It’s got the answers to all of your most important questions. So if you're looking for tips, quotes, advice, or just plain info about growing up, friends, boys, school, family stuff, substance abuse, or any problems big and small, check out Dear Carol's Girltalk or For Girls Only. They'll help you feel confident, inspired and energized!

BURNING QUESTIONS? Ask ‘em HERE! Then check back weekly for answers to common probs. For serious issues, don’t wait. Visit our HELP! page now.

For more on Carol Weston, visit her website: carolweston.com

BY ANDREA T. ON 5/2/2008 9:05:00 AM 291 COMMENTS

One of my friends is feeling left out of our clique. She told me that she feels I’m the center of attention, and that I steal the spotlight from her. How can we make her feel part of the group?

Dear Wants To Make Everybody Happy,

It’s impossible to make everybody happy. Really. If someone feels jealous or left out, it’s not necessarily your fault…or your problem to solve. Besides, does one girl have to be the “center of attention”? Continue to include the left-out girl in group activities, but drop the guilt. You clearly care about the feelings of others—and friends can’t ask for much more than that.

Want More Advice? Order Carol Weston’s Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. It’s got the answers to all of your most important questions. So if you're looking for tips, quotes, advice, or just plain info about growing up, friends, boys, school, family stuff, substance abuse, or any problems big and small, check out Dear Carol's Girltalk or For Girls Only. They'll help you feel confident, inspired and energized!

BURNING QUESTIONS? Ask ‘em HERE! Then check back weekly for answers to common probs. For serious issues, don’t wait. Visit our HELP! page now.

For more on Carol Weston, visit her website: carolweston.com

BY ANDREA T. ON 4/25/2008 11:24:00 AM 231 COMMENTS

I think I’m cursed. I always get in trouble with teachers and, half the time, it’s other kids’ fault.

Dear Cursed,
I don’t believe in curses. Other kids aren’t in charge of your behavior—you are. The school year is just beginning, so make a concentrated effort not to let others lead you astray. Instead of sitting in the back of the classroom with the trouble-makers, move to a different desk. Sit up straight, take lots of notes, and participate in class. Make this the week you really impress your teachers, and then stay on track…no matter what any slacker classmates are doing.

Want More Advice? Order Carol Weston’s Girltalk Fourth Edition: All the Stuff Your Sister Never Told You. It’s got the answers to all of your most important questions. So if you're looking for tips, quotes, advice, or just plain info about growing up, friends, boys, school, family stuff, substance abuse, or any problems big and small, check out Dear Carol's Girltalk or For Girls Only. They'll help you feel confident, inspired and energized!

BURNING QUESTIONS? Ask ‘em HERE! Then check back weekly for answers to common probs. For serious issues, don’t wait. Visit our HELP! page now.

For more on Carol Weston, visit her website: carolweston.com

BY ANDREA T. ON 4/18/2008 10:50:00 AM 273 COMMENTS