Girls Only: Ask Dr. M: Family

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Dr. M is the author of five advice books, including Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? How to Have Fun, Survive the Preteen Years, and Remain True to Yourself, both written with her teenage daughter. Dr. M shares this advice column with Molly, a middle school student who loves to play soccer, dance, write and spend time with her friends.

Read more questions and answers in these categories:

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>	Boys

>	Family

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Dear Dr. M and Liz,
Is it OK to help your family every day but never go out to play with your friends? Because I always like to help out in my family but my friends always tell me to go and play with them.

—Lucinda, 10, Hawaii


	Dear Lucinda, I'm sure your family appreciates the way you help them. But if you don't make time for your friends, too, your friends won't be around when you're ready to play with them. Figure out—maybe with your mom or dad's help—how you can arrange to spend time with your family as well as with your friends. Once in a while, you might invite your friends to your house to help you with your chores, so you can finish them more quickly and then go out to play.


	Dear Lucinda, It is really nice that you help your family out so much. I'm sure they are very appreciative of your hard work. Of course, don't forget to have some time for yourself. With your parent's permission, it is OK to take some time out of helping to play with your friends. Don't let anyone pressure you though. If you don't want to play with your friends, you don't have to. Just do whatever makes you happy.

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