Girls Only: Ask Dr. M: Friends

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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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Dear Dr. M and Liz,
I have a big problem. My friends think I'm dumb.

—Mireh, 10, Texas


	Dear Mireh, What's more important than what your friends think is what you think about yourself. There are lots of different ways to be smart. Some kids are smart in math, others in reading. Some are great at putting things together; others are gifted at getting along with people. Discover your own special talents—you do have them—and help your friends see them, too.


	Dear Mireh, If your friends brag about how smart they are and put you down, they're not true friends. A true friend would think about what you can do well and help you do better at things you have trouble with. Help your friends become true friends by encouraging them to focus on what people are good at, rather than looking for flaws. Start by doing that yourself.

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