SOS! Mom makes me hang with my sisters 24/7

My mom doesn't let me do anything because I have three sisters, and she thinks I should stay home and play with them. My friends don't understand and get mad at me. If I tell them I can't go to...

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Feel left out of Dad's life

Lately, I’ve been feeling left out of my dad’s life. Ever since he got a new girlfriend, I feel she and I have to complete for his attention. It’s very hard to talk to him because he’s not a full-time father. ...

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My sister ran away. What should I do?

My 15-year-old sister ran away. I know where she is, but I’m afraid to tell because I don’t want to get in trouble. Dear Confused, This is a serious situation. Rather than keep silent, reveal your sister’s whereabouts to a parent, or talk...

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Big brother blues

My brother is seven years older than me, and he doesn’t know I exist. I don’t expect to be best friends, but I want him to see I’m not just a little kid. What should I do? Dear Big Brother Blues, Talk to...

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Strangers make fun of my brother

I have a brother who isn’t exactly mentally retarded, but he’s a slow learner. He has great friends but, when we’re out, people make fun of him. Whenever he hears names being yelled at him, he is deeply hurt. What should I do? ...

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What to do when you hate a gift

So many people buy me things I hate, but I’m way too scared to admit it. If it’s my friends, they won’t talk to me. If it’s my grandmom, it’ll make her feel bad. Dear Too Scared to Admit It, You’re not too...

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My parents can't accept that I've grown up

My parents can’t accept that I’ve grown up. I like music, chatting with my friends on the Internet, boys…. My dad thinks he’s “lost” me, but I’ve just gained other interests, which my parents call “obsessions.” How can I get...

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My parents drink too much

My parents drink too much. I don’t mean wine with dinner. They get mean or pass out when they drink. It’s awful. How can I get them to stop? Dear Bad Situation, You can’t make them stop, but you are not alone and...

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No gifts from granny!

My birthday is in October, but my grandmother stopped sending me birthday presents because she says I never thank her for them. My mom told me this, and it’s true but it still makes me upset. I am going to see my grandma...

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My "perfect" parents are keeping secrets

Everyone thinks of my parents as the Perfect Couple. They rarely fight. But I recently was at my Grandpa’s when he casually mentioned that both my parents had been married before. We talked about it a few minutes, and then I went home...

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