Writing with a panel of 30 teenagers, Lauren Forcella, a mother of four and founder of Teens-Matter, brings you directly into the world of teens. Her column appears every Sunday in Lifestyles.
Straight Talk for Teens
When boy-girl friendships turn into something more
Comments | RecommendDear Straight Talk: I am a sophomore in high school and am really good friends with this boy I'll call "Nick." We hang in the same crowd and do all kinds of things together: stay the night, go to parties, talk on the phone....
Panelists share recipe for a dynamite stepmother
Comments | RecommendDear Straight Talk: I am 39 years old and recently married "Steve," the man of my dreams. I am now stepmother to his kids, ages 11, 14 and 16, and we have them half the time. This has not been easy for anyone. I have no children of my own, so I'm out...
Abstinence-only may be ineffective for cell phones, too
Comments | RecommendDear Straight Talk: I was shocked at your advice to "Jason's mom" (June 18) whose 17-year-old son informed her he was going to text and drive after the California cell phone ban took effect. You basically told her to get him a Bluetooth. Parents have...
The 'Juno' effect — do you think it's fact or fiction?
Comments | RecommendDear Straight Talk: I know four different teenage girls right now who are in various stages of obvious pregnancy. None are married, and all plan to give birth to the child. Do you think it's the "Juno" effect? — A loyal reader...
Don't ignore your friend's suicide warning signs
Comments | RecommendDear Straight Talk: I'm worried that my friend, "Greer," who is 17, might be suicidal. He is acting strange lately, but I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing and get him in trouble. After making plans to visit his dad in Montana, they had a fight,...
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