"Dear Monica"

by Monica Moniz '10

Dear Monica,
My parents are divorced and I live alone with my mother. She works as a bartender and is rarely home. I have taken on the responsibility of cooking for myself and cleaning the house and I am overloaded with homework and a part-time job. I'm stressing out! How should I tell my mother that I need her assistance at home?
Sincerely,
"Overloaded"

Dear "Overloaded,"
You obviously have a lot on your shoulders and you need help, but the only way to get it is through communication with your mother. If you don't tell her, how is she supposed to know what you're going through? To start, try having a mother daughter day so you will have a chance to actually sit her down and express how you feel. After you consult her, try to arrange a schedule that fits both of your busy lives, and that divides the workload in the house between the both of you. And make sure you always keep in contact with your mom so she knows exactly how you're feeling.

Dear Monica,
I am currently talking to this boy and I like him a lot. He told me he likes me a lot also. The problem is he will not ask me out! He told me the reason is that he doesn't want to get hurt again like in his last relationship. Should I wait for him, or just move on?
Sincerely,
"Waiting Around"

Dear "Waiting Around,"
You should move on. You can't wait forever! If it's meant to happen, trust me, it'll happen. Just take things one day at a time, date around, and see who else is out there. If this boy really likes you, and he sees you with someone else, he'll see how much you actually mean to him and maybe then he will want to start something with you. If he really cares, he won't want someone else taking his spot in your life. Now I know this will be hard since both of you have feelings for each other, but why wait? Maintain a friendship, but don't just sit around until he's ready. Waiting around just makes it seem like he has you wrapped around his finger. Show him he doesn't!

Dear Monica,
I am a sophomore and my friends are starting to pressure me into trying drugs and getting high. The problem is, they are my friends, so I don't know what to do or say without being completely uncool. I'm really not interested, so I don't say anything and just smile. But they are pressuring me so much. Please help me!
Sincerely,
"Under Pressure"

Dear "Under Pressure,"
The true meaning of a friend is someone who will support you in the decisions that you make. If your "friends" are pressuring you to do something you don't want to do, then they aren't true friends. Try talking to them and explaining to them exactly how you feel about this whole situation. See what they say. If they still try to pressure you, honestly, I would look for a new group of friends. I know it is hard to find good friends who you trust, but why be friends with people who pressure you to do something you don't want to do?

Dear Monica is written by Monica Moniz, a sophomore in Office Technology. Write Dear Monica at jrebello@dimanregional.org, attention Dear Monica.