Family Life
Dear Aly-
I feel like my parents treat my little brother better because he’s a boy. He gets away with everything and my parents come down hard on me. Help! -Only Girl in Rhode Island
Dear Only Girl-
I would say this doesn’t have anything to do with you being a girl. I think that maybe your parents feel that you are more mature and responsible so they come down harder on you. Let your parents know that you try to be good and sometimes you don’t feel like your brother is at all. If you point this out to them, maybe things will change. -Aly
Dear Aly-
My parents are so harsh! They say that I'm not allowed to date until I'm16, and I'm a guy! I thought those kind of things just applied to girls. I mean, I'm 15 and I really am in LOVE with this cheerleader. She goes outwith all different guys all days of the week, and I am dying to ask herout, but I'd be in deep trouble if my parents found out. What can I do? -Miserable in NM
Dear Miserable-
Sounds to me like you're caught between two things… girls and your parents. Don't lose sleep over it, it happens to all teens and their parents. Really, this may seem like a HUGE problem, but it really doesn't have to be. After all… you have a year at the most to wait before you can go out on dates, that's not too bad! I have an idea, why not invite the girl over to your house to watch a movie?! This way, your parents will be home, but yet they won't be hanging on your back, because they know that you're nearby. Either that, or you could invite her out with you and a bunch of friends. This way you can really get to know her. And in response to your other question… NO, those kind of dating rules don't only apply to girls. You're just as precious as any girl, and they worry about you and what you're mature enough to handle. Don't try to sneak out and go out behind their backs, for they'll find out and never trust you when you're 16. Relax, you'll be dating soon enough. -Aly
