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

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Dear Dr. M and Liz,
I have a major problem that really affects me. Sometimes my parents stay out really late at night, like until 3:00 a.m., and for some reason I always get mad and stay up until they come home so I can tell them off for leaving us alone. Then I get grounded! It's really hard and I need help.

—Hana, 10, Nebraska


	Dear Hana, You haven't told us who stays with you when your parents stay out late. Is there an older brother or sister? And you haven't said why you're so mad. Are you afraid? Are you worried about them? Telling your parents "off" is not the best way to handle this situation. You do want to let them know that you're upset when they stay out so late, but you might get better results if you talk to them in a calm way about why you are so distressed when they come home in the middle of the night.


	Dear Hana, Next time your parents go out, tell them before they leave that you wish they wouldn't stay out so late. Try to calmly explain to them the reasons you don't think they should go. If they don't listen to you, write down how their staying out makes you feel and leave the note out for them when they get home instead of staying up and yelling at them when they get back.

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