Dear Queenie,
I’m in high school and I know this should be a happy time for me but I get upset over little things and this makes it hard for me to get along with other people and keeps me from feeling really good about myself.
I know you will tell me to see a professional counsellor like you always tell people, but when I tried to tell my parents about it they refused to even discuss it.
Queenie, how can I get some help?—Unhappy teenager
Dear Teenager,
Talk to a school counsellor about this, or tell your family physician about it the next time you go for a check-up. I hope one of them can persuade your parents to let you get the help you need.
Dear Queenie,
I live with my mother, father and my 3 siblings. I’m going to make 20 just now but my parents treat me like I’m still 9 or 10.
Queenie, how do I tell them I want to get my own apartment because I’m fed up and tired of how I’m been treated and want to leave?—Fed-up son
Dear Son,
That depends on whether you are ready and able to support yourself. If so, all you have to do is find yourself another place to live and tell your parents you are moving out.
However, if you are still financially dependent on your parents you cannot expect them to subsidise your moving out, although you can try to talk to them – on an adult level – about the way they treat you. After all, if at your age they are still supporting you (unless, of course, you are a full-time university student), it is no wonder they still consider you a child.
Dear Queenie,
My boyfriend says seeing me wear pantyhose turns him on. Sometimes he even wears them himself under his other clothes.
Queenie, is this something that I should worry about? Should I break up with him because of it?—Worried girlfriend
Dear Girlfriend,
This is kind of kinky, but it is a small kink compared to, for example, being addicted to porn. If this is his only fault, do not worry about it.
Dear Queenie,
My husband refuses to learn to drive, so I have to drive myself wherever I want to go, plus taking him everywhere.
Queenie, how can I persuade him to learn to drive and do his share?—Chauffeur-wife
Dear Chauffeur-wife,
Is it possible that your husband is unable to get a driver’s licence for some reason, such as not being able to pass the eye exam or some other test, and is ashamed to admit it? If that is the case, a visit to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) or a few sessions with a driving instructor might help.
However, if there are no other problems in your marriage, count your blessings and do not drive away from him.
Dear Queenie,
When there was a better job to be filled in the office where I work I applied for it. They accepted my application and even gave me some special training for the new job. Then when I came back to the office after the training I was introduced to a new employee who had been hired for the job I had applied and trained for.
I was so upset I almost broke into tears, so I ran out of the building before I started to cry. In the parking lot my supervisor came out and saw me crying.
Queenie, I’m so embarrassed! How do I talk to my supervisor after him seeing me like this?—Passed over
Dear Passed over,
You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Your reaction was quite natural.
However, your supervisor has some explaining to do, about why you were passed over for the job after they accepted your application and even gave you special training for it.
