|
|
 |
Dr. M is the author of five advice books for tweens and teens. Her latest is Where Should I Sit at Lunch? The Ultimate 24/7 Guide to Surviving the High School Years. She enjoys dancing, reading, working out and talking with young people about the issues that concern them. She holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology.
|
Liz, a first-year college student, is the co-author of three books: Ask Dr. M and Liz; Getting to Know the Real You: 50 Fun Quizzes Just for Girls, and Girls: What's So Bad About Being Good? She loves to dance, paint, make collages, hang out with friends and, of course, give advice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Dr. M & Liz,
I have three friends and I was new at school this year. I guess being friends with a group of three is really hard because most teachers do groups of threes on assignments and in basketball. I never get to play with them because they always have the three of them on a team! It makes me feel so left out. And there is one of them that always treats me badly, but sucks up to the other two because they're popular. We get in fights so much over stupid stuff. And they NEVER EVER tell me anything and I always tell them something when I'm upset! They're my only close friends and I don't want to lose them! PLEASE HELP.
—Beth, 13, Florida
Dear Beth,
Being new to a school is always a challenge. It's good that you've made a few friends, but clearly they are not the kind of true friendships you would like to have, the kind where you share what's going on in your life and they share what's happening with them. You don't want to lose those three friends because at this time, they're the only close friends you have. Find opportunities to meet some new students at school and in your neighborhood. You deserve friendships that are more equal.
—Dr. M
Dear Beth,
Instead of focusing on being left out, try to make the best of your situation. Maybe you can become friends with the people in your group for projects or your team for basketball, since your close friends don't seem to appreciate you very much. If you still want to remain close with them, try to do things outside of school with them. Also, if you think something is going on in their lives, ask them about it. Sometimes people might want to talk about something that's going on, but don't know how to bring it up.
—Liz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
