Advice Column

Dear M Girl,

My best friend and I love to hang out at the pool during the summer and we want to be able to see each other during the school year because we go to different schools, but my mom won't let me hang out with her! She thinks my best friend is a very bad influence on me! How can I convince my mom that my best friend is not a bad influence on me? Please help!!!!

-Cdub12

Hey Cdub12,

I know you may not understand why your mom says you two can't hang out, but she probably has a good reason. Sometimes our friends get caught up with the wrong crowd and your mom doesn't want you following in her footsteps. If you and your mom work together, you can probably make a difference to your BFF and prevent her from getting into serious trouble. Ask your mom if your BFF can come over to your house to hang out -- that way your mom could pop in and check on you occasionally. It might not seem like the perfect situation, but at least you'd get to spend time together during the school year. Let me know how it goes!

XOXO

M Girl

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Dear M Girl,

Some of my best friends don't like each other, so they talk about each other. I feel bad when I don't tell them and when I do tell them what they're saying. I don't want to be a bad friend, but I have know idea what to do.

Sincerely,

Liana (love1dddddd)

Hey Liana,

I totally know where you're coming from and it's a really awkward position to be in. When you're hanging out with your BFFs and they start talking about your other friends in an unkind way, don't be shy -- tell them it upsets you! If you don't say anything, they won't know how much it bothers you. If they get mad at you, remind them that they wouldn't want to be talked about like that! It's okay if all your friends aren't BFFs with each other, but they still should be polite! Hopefully after you have this conversation, your friends will stop. Otherwise, I don't think it's your duty to tell your friends what they're saying about each other.

I hope your situation gets better and let me know how it goes!

XOXO

M Girl

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Dear M Girl
,

I told my mom that I want to be an actress. She said that I should try to audition for acting roles. I love to act, but I get really bad stage fright and I'm really shy in front of people I don't know. What should I do to get started?

Sincerely,

Nataly

Hey Nataly!

I think it's great that your mom is supportive of your dream to be an actress! You can break out of your shell and learn more about acting by joining your school's drama club or auditioning for the next play. You'll learn all kinds of warm-ups, improv games, and skills that will help you get less nervous on stage. Besides giving you a chance to perform in front of people, joining theater activities in your school will help you find the perfect monologues for the type of parts you might want to audition for in the future! You won't be anxious about auditioning if you're well prepared! More importantly, remember to have fun and don't stress out about it! Keep me posted!

XOXO

M Girl

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Dear M Girl,

I have a guy friend whose name is Noah and we hang out all the time. The only problem is that we aren't in the same classes. I think he is kinda cute, and I have known him for 3 to 4 years, but I don't know if he likes me back. It's harder for me to talk to him now than it was then! When we're walking to the bus, he keeps on telling me to text him, but when I do, he doesn't answer. And like I said, I can't really talk to him at school! I need some help!

Thanks,


YouWillLuvNiall

Dear YouWillLuvNiall,

I know how frustrating it can be when you can't tell if your friend likes you as more than a friend. Since he doesn't text you back, ask him face-to-face why he doesn't respond to your messages. After all, he's the one who wanted you to text him in the first place! If you've had this conversation and he still doesn't answer your texts, don't text him and wait to see if you hear from him. If you don't feel the same about each other right now, don't get discouraged -- you never know what could happen in the future! Let me know how it goes!

XOXO

M Girl

Dear M Girl,


I really need your help, I know this guy and he's basically my BGF (best guy friend). Last year we dated for a brief two weeks and my friend got mad at me and then there was a lot of drama! Anyway, he and I have been talking and stuff ever since we were forced to break up. He just asked me who I like and I told him I'd get back to him. Truth is... I like him! Where is this going? What should I do?


Thanks,


Pandaluber6

Hey Pandaluber6,

This is a tricky sitch! You need to remember that you and your BGF are good friends, but also keep in mind why you broke up after two weeks. Chat with your BGF about the breakup and ask him why he wanted to know who you like. He shouldn't lead you on if he doesn't want to try dating you again, but he could just be asking because you're close friends! Either way, talk to your BGF about the situation -- it's the only way you'll get a direct answer. You've already had the first awkward "do you like me?" convo, so this one will definitely be easier! By the end of the conversation, hopefully you'll know where your relationship is headed! Let me know how it goes!

XOXO

M Girl

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Dear M Girl,

I'm almost 13 and I really want to start wearing makeup. I don't want to wear a lot -- I just want to start with a little. My mom and dad say I'm too young and I'm trying to convince them that I don't want to wear it for show, I want to wear it because it makes me feel nice. How do I convince my parents to let me wear makeup?

-Harrysmylesx3 AKA Amanda


Hey Amanda,

I know you want to wear makeup, but try putting yourself in your parents' shoes. It's really hard for them to realize that you're growing up! If they don't want you wearing makeup every day, ask your mom if she can help you put makeup on before big parties or special events. It would be a great compromise and a fun opportunity to bond with your mom! She'll show you how to put it on correctly and you won't end up looking like a scary clown! Keep in mind, though, that you don't need makeup to look nice, you're beautiful just the way you are! Let me know what your parents think!

XOXO


M Girl

Dear M Girl,

I'm starting high school soon and I'm really scared! I'm going to a school nobody I know is going to. Luckily there was a summer bridge thing and I got to meet two awesome friends there. I'm still really scared because I don't wanna lose touch with my friends from middle school like I did from elementary school. Should I try to change who I am so people will like me? I'm the shy quiet girl in the back of the class who nobody really knows. 
I don't know what to do! Please help!

-Daisy

Hey Daisy,

It's totally normal to be nervous about high school, especially if it's a new school! You can still be BFFs with people who don't go to your school! If you make the effort to see your middle school friends on the weekends, they'll make the effort to see you too! Don't feel like you have to change who you are to fit in with people from school, I'm sure you'll find friends who like you for being YOU (maybe those two friends you met over the summer?)! Good luck and let me know how your first day goes!

XOXO
M Girl

Dear M Girl,

I need some help. My friend Mike and I have been best friends since the 1st grade. We pretty much grew up together. He once said he thought he had a crush on me but then he stopped. Now that we're in 8th grade I feel like my feelings for him are changing too. I'm not sure if I have a real crush on him now. What should I do? Should I just hide it because I don't want to ruin our friendship.

Spencer, 14

Hey Spencer,

I completely understand where your coming from - been there! It's a hard place to be because you're not sure if you guys are better off just as friends or more. My advice to you is to talk to him about it! What if he's feeling the same way right now but is just to scared to bring it up like you are? Once you guys talk about these new feelings, things will get much more clear. You guys may try dating or just remain really great friends. Just remember you've been best friends for many years so a quick talk about this should not ruin your friendship. Good luck!

XOXO
M Girl

Dear M Girl,

My sister and I fight a lot, I don't even know why sometimes. I think she could get annoying and gets on my nerves. She is one year younger than me. What should I do to grow a better relationship with her because I really want to!

Jessica, 14

Hey Jessica,

Fighting with siblings is totally normal! I think sometimes siblings argue because they're personalities can be so alike (which is not a bad thing) or they're really close in age, like you and your sister. It's really good that you've realized that you do want a better relationship with your sister. Some friends may come and go but your sister will always be there for you! So try your best to get along .You guys should talk about what makes each other upset so you can try to work it out. Good luck!

XOXO
M Girl

Dear M Girl,

I had a best friend and we were getting along until we met another girl our age. Now my BFF spends more time with her than me and I feel ignored. What should I do?

-TrueDirectioner3000

Hey girl,

It's totally hard when things like this happen with your BFF but I know that you guys will get through it! I would say that you should first try to talk to your friend about how you feel. She probably doesn't even realize that what she's doing is hurting you. She's the last person who wants to see you feeling ignored, she IS your BFF, after all. You should also get to know the new girl. Chances are, if your BFF likes her, you probably will too! Plan a girls night in with the both of them -- you'll all get to bond without anyone feeling left out. Good luck! Let me know how it goes!

XOXO,
M Girl