I’m really struggling at school. It’s difficult for me to read so I don’t bother any more. Sometimes words just don’t make sense or I write, read or spell them the wrong way around. I’m too embarrassed to talk to my parents about this. What will they think? I’m 16 and still battling to read! [...]
I dated this girl in Grade 7 and I was really into her. But then we went to different schools and we broke it off because she didn’t want to do a long-distance relationship. She started dating again pretty soon after. We’re in Grade 9 now and we still talk. The problem is, she has [...]
My parents are getting divorced. They fight all the time and I think it may be my fault. I don’t want them to split. How do I get them to stay together? – Aneesa* Here’s the downside: nothing you do can keep them together. But there’s an upside too – nothing you did caused them [...]
I’m 16 and am dating a 20-year-old guy. We’ve been together for almost two years. Recently I heard some nasty rumours about him and this girl he used to date. I’ve confronted him but he denies it and says they’re only stories. The girl that told me used to be his ex’s friend. Is she [...]
I’m 14 and my 18-year-old sister suddenly stopped wanting to spend time with me. Whenever her friends are over she tells me to leave them alone. It’s like she doesn’t care about me any more. What can I do to make her include me? – Laura* (14) Your sister’s at a stage in her life [...]
My friend has started smoking and she’s always on at me to try a cigarette. I’ve told her I don’t want to but now she makes fun of me. I’m thinking of trying it just to shut her up. I don’t want to give in but I don’t know how to deal with this without [...]
I think my friend digs the same girl as me. He swears he’s not into her, but I can see that he is. Should I back off and let him be with her or should I talk to him about it and risk our friendship? – James* (17) Why would talking to him about it [...]
I failed Grade 10 and I feel like a real loser. I hate school now because I don’t really have friends in my grade. I’ve bunked a few times and my marks are already dropping. How can I get over this? I’m so disappointed in myself. – Ryan* (16) There’s no denying that failing a [...]
My girlfriend broke up with me because of her religious beliefs. I still love her and miss her. What can I do? – Abulele* (17) Unfortunately there is very little you can do to argue with some- one’s beliefs. Has she made any indication that despite her religious convictions she still wants to be with [...]
I’m in Grade 12 and my dream is to be a model, but my parents think I should do something like political science or nursing. Do you think modelling can be a career, or is it just a hobby? I’m confused. – Nadine* (18) Modelling is an extremely unpre-dictable career, and if you’ve had no [...]