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

>	Feelings

>	Friends

>	Schoolwork/Teachers

>	Other

Dear Dr. M and Liz,
I only have one older brother who just left for college. So now it's just my parents and me. It makes me upset when people complain about their siblings, because they don't know what it's like to have none at all.

—Christina, 12, Texas


	Dear Christina, At first, it's hard to get used to being the only child at home. But after a while, you might begin to see some advantages. With your brother away at college, you get more attention from your parents and you get a chance to appreciate your brother more. Also, he's probably nicer to you when he gets home during a school break than when he was home all the time. Remember that you can't control how other siblings feel about or treat each other. But you can enjoy the special relationship you have with your brother.


	Dear Christina, I have two older brothers who are in college and sometimes it is hard to be the only child at home. But it does make you realize how important they are and how much fun it is to be with them. But just because your brother is not with you doesn't mean you can't still talk to him. You can call him whenever you want, or send him email or instant messages. I'm sure he will come home for some holidays, and before you know it you will be used to being the only child.

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