Parenthood points and perks don't add up
-- Hurting
Dear Hurting: Don't do anything right now. Your home doesn't seem like a safe environment for you to discuss your sexuality.
The young teen years are a time of growth and discovery, and you have the right to conduct this exploration among people who love and accept you for being exactly who you are.
The It Gets Better Project (itgetsbetter.org) was founded to help kids all over the globe connect with one another. You need to know that you are not alone and that -- yes -- it definitely gets better. The site has many resources for you. You can also text LGBTQ to my friends at Crisis Text Line (741741) 24/7 to conduct a conversation with a counselor.
Dear Amy: "Nana" was worried about her granddaughter, who is an extremely picky eater.
If the granddaughter continues her picky eating, especially if she refuses food that has even a speck of something she doesn't like on it, then Nana should print up some gentle information on ARFID for the parents.
It's important to keep an eye on this childhood condition to decide whether it's just a phase or a lifetime of eating challenges.
One way to tell? Present nutritious foods in fun shapes and sizes and see if that's enough to win her over.
-- Steph
Dear Steph: Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is a diagnosed condition of extreme food restriction. Thank you for the prompt.
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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: ASKAMY@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
