More moms are joining the workforce
Dr. Wallace: I’m 17 and a bit upset. My mom and dad both have full-time jobs and they get home after 5 p.m., so that means that I’ve got to cook many of our family suppers and I also have to do much of the family grocery shopping (my parents pay the bill).
I don’t think this is fair. After all, I’ve got things to do after school for extracurricular activities. I also have a steady boyfriend and now I only get to see him at school. Help! — Pam, Naperville, Ill.
Pam: At least you’re not alone. As more moms join the workforce, their teenage children (both boys and girls) are playing an increasing role in meal preparation, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down, according to a Black & Decker report. The results of a National Teen Survey on Food and Nutrition showed that 54 percent of teens of both genders cook for themselves and their families several times each week. Over three-quarters of the teens surveyed also bake for their families as well.
Since there are competing needs in your family, the key is cooperation and compromise. While it’s important that you help out, you shouldn’t be completely deprived of the chance to take part in after-school activities or enjoy the company of your boyfriend. Perhaps the days when you cook can be chosen so as not to conflict with the extracurricular activities.
Dr. Wallace: I’m in the seventh grade and get excellent grades. I feel that my grades are very important because I’m going to be a veterinarian after I finish my education. In one of my classes, (Social Studies) I’m designated as a teacher’s aide. That means that, at times, I will do errands for the teacher, and once in a while I’ll actually grade student tests that have true or false answers. I like the class and I enjoy helping the teacher.
Some of the students call me names such as “teacher’s pet,” and “traitor.” This is the only negative thing about helping this teacher. What should I do because I don’t enjoy being called
ROBERT WALLACE
names, especially traitor? — Nameless, Columbus, Ohio.
Nameless: Those immature students who call you names are actually envious and if asked to be the teacher’s aide they would jump at the opportunity. Do not confront the name callers. That’s exactly the reaction they are trying to achieve; just smile and go on your merry way.
Dr. Wallace: About two weeks ago, my mother went through my purse (without asking) looking for her car keys and she found a condom I had been carrying for more than a month. My boyfriend and I are not sexually active and we had no plans to use it.
Let’s just say that I carried it around for a conversation piece to show my girlfriends. They all wanted to see it and even wanted me to open the package to get a full view, but I didn’t open it. I guess I was using it as a status symbol. My boyfriend found the condom in his parents’ bedroom and gave it to me to save until I needed it. But that was going to be a long time away.
Now, for the past two weeks my mom has been having a hissy fit. She is convinced that my boyfriend and I are having sex every night and she is insisting that we break up. She has even called my boyfriend’s mom and told her what she found in my purse. And she got really mad when his mom said she thought it was wise to use protection. Now I’m really in big trouble for something I didn’t even do! What can I do now? Please help me. — Nameless, Seattle, Wash.
Nameless: There is really not much I can do to help you except to print your letter and hope your mother believes you once she sees it in the local newspaper.
Carrying your boyfriend’s birth control in your purse, for whatever reason, was definitely not a bright idea!