close

Maryjopodgurski

Teenager getting too much information

Q My mom and her new boyfriend talk openly about their sex lives. Why would she do that? How do I stop her?<em>14-year-old</em>Mary Jo’s response: I’m not sure why your mom shares personal things with others in her family. I am sure your discomfort is typical. ...

Support, not judgment, best solution

<span class="Text_Name_Bold">Question 1:</span> Why do people go in and out of relationships when they know they’re with the wrong people? And why won’t these people listen to their friends when the friends tell them how bad their relationships ...

Many with chlamydia don’t know it

Q.My ex texted to tell me she had chlamydia. I went to my campus clinic and got antibiotics and took them all. Then she called to tell me she was having abdominal pain and a nasty discharge, even after she took all the medicine. Could she still be infected? If so, do I need to have more ...

Coping with mom’s health problems

Q.My mom had a heart attack. My dad said he doesn’t know when she’ll come home from the hospital. Is there any way I can help? I heard about someone giving another person a kidney. Can I give my mom my heart?<em>– 7-year-old</em><span ...

How to talk with your kids about sex

Q.I’m the parent of four. Our three daughters are adults, ages 22 to 30. Our youngest is a boy. He just turned 12. I read your last column. I don’t know if it’s because I raised our daughters in a different world, or if it’s because our youngest is a different gender, but I worry.I ...

The dangers of cellphones

Q:I found out my little brother was watching porn on his iPhone. He just turned 12. At first I thought I’d not say anything to our parents because I knew he’d be mad at me. But then I realized I needed to protect him. I think he’s too young to handle the kinds of stuff he was watching. ...