Q.I have a dilemma. One of my friends lost a parent, which was very sad. The death was unexpected. The family didn’t have life insurance. My friend went to a crowdfunding site and created an appeal, asking for money for funeral expenses. Many thousands were raised. I visited when home from ...
Q: What do you do if you’re disappointing your whole family and they don’t even know it? I’m the first person in my family to go to college. I got into my first-choice school and my first-semester grades were great – a 3.6. I came home to such pride and happiness from my family. My mom ...
Traditionally, my last column of the year is a chance for our teens to offer their New Year’s resolutions. This year my focus is our Adolescent Advisory Board. The board represents students from 10 different high schools and meets regularly at Washington Hospital. The board’s theme this ...
Often the questions I receive are dark, written by troubled young people. I thought about the impression those questions may make on adults. Do people think all teens are confused? I know they are not. Some teens are more mature than many adults. I am blessed to spend time every day with young ...
Q:Is it wrong to break up right before Christmas. I asked my mom, and she said it was a mean thing to do, but I think it’s only prolonging the inevitable. What do you think?<em>16-year-old</em><strong>Mary Jo’s response:</strong> My ...
Q: You taught me sex ed in high school, but I doubt you’ll remember me. My mother died when I was young and you reached out to me, even though I acted tough and said I didn’t need anyone. When I graduated you told me I could keep in touch. Here I am, 15 years later, seeking help. My mom ...
