Your Dilemmas

Rosie, 43, Mansfield

I’m not proud of myself, but I read my teenager’s private diary and I was so shocked. I found out that she’s been drinking alcohol and she’s even had sex. I always thought we had the type of relationship where she’d tell me these things and I’m devastated. I really want to talk to her about staying safe. Shall I tell her that I betrayed her trust by reading her diary?

YES Pick Me Up! reader Alex from Norwich says:

While you may have betrayed her trust, at the end of the day, you are her mum and you need to protect her. What’s done is done, but you can still talk to her about how serious getting into sexual relationships is. Underage drinking is also a serious issue. She will be upset that you read her diary, but that’s the least of your worries right now.

NO Pick Me Up! reader Elise from Poole says:

If your daughter finds out that you read her diary, she will never trust you again and you will find it difficult to talk to her about anything in the future. Most teenagers keep secrets from their parents, so don’t take it personally. Instead, approach the subjects of drinking and sex in general, being careful not to reveal any details that you read in her personal diary.