Category Archives for "Relationships"

0 Why do people break up after many years?

smart panther asks: Why do some couples take a separation after a long time (like 18 Years) together ?

Hi smart panther –

As I’m sure you know, there is nothing in the world more loyal than a dog. We will stick by the ones we’ve bonded to, no matter what. How often do you see a poor hungry homeless person, maybe even mentally ill, but with a faithful dog next to them who’d rather die than live apart?

So I may not be the best one to ask about why people would separate after being together for years. But I’ve checked with some humans, and here are some of the responses I’ve gotten:

1) More than dogs, people change and grow, continually, through their Continue reading

0 Is it possible to stop yourself from loving someone?

Daniel asks: My love wants to stop loving me. What can I do about it?

Hi Daniel –

I want to make sure we’re on the same page here.  No word in English is more confusing than “love.”  I love Handsome, pork chops, spring days, running, Glenn Miller’s “String of Pearls,” and every one of my pack members – but none in the same way as the others.  So when you say your love wants to stop loving you – do you mean that someone you love wants to leave your romantic relationship, or that they just Continue reading

1 Is it okay for a girl to ask a boy out?

sazuna45 asks: Is it a bad idea for girls to ask guys out?

Hi sazuna45 –

Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that really hard.  Let me see…

I understand that some people feel that females should be restrained and coy, and stand back and wait for males to do everything…

And yet I’m a female, and like to run up and jump on dogs and people and lick Continue reading

0 What to do when your friend alienates other friends

rachel asks: I have this friend. She is pretty nice, but she can get really mean and get into a lot of fights with other girls. She’s never mean to me though. And when she’s in fights with people she expects me to support her. I don’t want to get involved in it! Other people are starting to hate me because I hang out with her. Should I drop her as a friend? I don’t know what to do.

Hi rachael –

This is a really tough situation.  Your friend is a good friend to you, but is clearly expecting you to have a lot of loyalty to her, even when you think what she’s doing is wrong.  And now others are associating you with her bad side.  There is no right answer for what to do with that!

Or maybe there is.  You see, rachel, I think this all comes down to Continue reading

0 How should people in conflict speak with each other?

shahzaibj1 asks: What should be the etiquette of speaking, especially in conflict?

Hi shahzibj1 –

What a great question!  Parents spend so much time teaching kids to say “please” and “thank you,” to wait turns, to not interrupt, all that sort of etiquette.  But what about when one’s in a conflict?  What is the best way to communicate then?  Are there rules?

Well, I guess the truest answer is No, that there are no real rules.  People can insult each other, bring up past events, exaggerate, lie…  And those are just in formal political debates!  In regular arguments, people can walk away, slam doors, throw plates, or punch each other in the Continue reading

0 What are the effects of teenage pregnancy?

mabs asks: What is teenage pregnancy all about, the causes, effects, and consequences?

Hi mabs –

I’m a bit confused by your question.  Are you asking what the causes, effects, and consequences of actual pregnancy are?  If so, the easy answers are: Sex and Babies!

But if you’re asking about the upsurge in teen pregnancy in recent years, your question is too big for this website!

The causes would include everything from changing sexual mores in Continue reading

2 How to deal with a judgmental parent

Sarah asks: I feel like I can’t trust or talk to anybody, because I always feel judged, especially by my mom. She always judges me on everything I do, and keeps stuff from me instead of talking to me about it. I also hate it when she’s home, and sometimes I fear her. I can’t be myself around her, and its also affecting me with other people because I am so anti-social and have low self-esteem. I really want to change how I interact with people but I feel like she’s holding me back from the world. Please give me some advice.

Hi Sarah –

Oh I hate hearing things like this.  Parents almost always do what they think is best for their kids, but sometimes they make this gigantic mistake, of overjudging, overprotecting, and so stifling them.

The first word of advice I can give you is long-term, which is to just Continue reading

0 What does “physical relations” mean?

Aspara asks: What is physical relation?

Hi Aspara –

Well, although officially it could mean any physical relationship between two or more objects (I am in physical relation with the floor right now, for example), it usually means physical relations of a romantic sort.  In other words, instead of one person just looking longingly at another, or writing them love letters, they’re actually touching.  That could mean holding hands, dancing, kissing, groping, or Continue reading

0 What to do if a popular boy is attracted to you

lillyanna asks: I recently heard that the most popular boy in my village has a crush on me. This came as a surprise because I am not all that popular and taught he did not know who I was. What should I do?

Hi lillyanna –

Oh I wonder how many of our readers are yelling at you as they read this, “JUMP ON HIM, SILLY!”  And of course, I agree, but I jump on everybody, so I’m not a good role model in that!

My big question is what you Continue reading

0 What to do if your friends want you to sing but you don’t think you’re good enough

Shellyx asks: My 2 bezzies and I started a band. I don’t think I can sing. I write songs and sing at home but never to them. They keep nagging me to sing but I’m too shy/embarrassed because they’re both really good. They like my songs but they haven’t heard me sing. What do I do? Xxxxx

Hi Shellyx –

Wow do I envy you, that someone wants to hear you sing!  Everyone hates it when I do.  Even Handsome, who loves me more than anything, says I have as ugly a bark as he’s ever heard!

So it seems to me that you’re finding yourself in a very funny situation.  Your friends want you to sing, but you’re afraid that if they hear you sing they won’t like your voice.  But the one way to get them to stop bugging you to sing would be… if you sang!  So my advice is… Continue reading