ask karenR



read advice get advice make favorite read feedback advicenators



I have gone from younggrandma to just yg. Now,
I am using my real name.
I don't think anyone who knows me will have trouble figuring out who that is!


I have been gone a while dealing with things in my own life. I am back now to help once again. Do not expect answers from me that just tell you what you want to hear. Life is to short for nonsense. :)
Website: advicenators forum
E-mail: karenrickel@gmail.com
Gender: Female
Location: KANSAS
Occupation: Homemaker,EMT, ER worker, Medical assistant
Member Since: March 4, 2005
Answers: 10132
Last Update: July 29, 2022
Visitors: 575191


Favorite Columnists
ammo
DangerNerd
SilentOne
adviceman49
Razhie
isis
Xenolan
flare
Erinn_the_bamf
selectopaque
storageanddisposal
more...

One of my very close friends believes he was born gay. I just don't understand his belief in that. Why is it that some people can be 'born gay' and others not? I just don't understand that concept in life. Can anyone explain to me why some can be born gay and others not? (link)
I think that is just one of those unexplainable things in life! It doesn't make him less of a friend so I wouldn't dwell on it.He trusts you enough to tell you so keep it to yourself unless he tells you otherwise.If he believes he was born gay, take his word for it, he knows.


ok well theres this kid who confessed his love for me and well i dont feel the same and so i figured its better to tell him the truth and not lead him on but he dosent seem to get the hint he follows me around hes like my fucking stolker and i dont want to be his close friend b/c i cant trust him and well i see how he is and i dont kno how to make it clearer w/out hurting him normally i wouldnt care but since i ko how it feels to love somebody and not be loved in return so help pleaze he dosnt get the freaking clue (link)
If he's really bugging you you'll just have to get rude and tell him to get lost.It may not work but give it a try anyway, he doesn't seem to listen when you try to be nice about it.


I am a thirteen year old girl and I have a close male friend. We usually get on quite well and we are always talking and hugging. We used to be attracted to each other and he on/off still is to me but I don't feel that way about him. Everyone says we act like we're a couple and that we should get together but I honestly don't want to. We are very close but are we too close? I admit I hug him more than my other friends but I don't have any feelings for him. So is it wrong to be this close to him if we're not in a relationship? (link)
I don't think you are to close.There is no law that say's all your friends have to be girls.I think it's great! continue as you are.


My parents know that I want to listen to Green day and Bowling for soup and a large variety of other music bands, but won't let me. I'm 13, but they prolly think it's too young. How can I convince them that I enjoy music and am missing out on a lot without it?? And besides-I should be entitled to what they had. (link)
What's wrong with Greenday? I like them myself.Don't know the other band.
When do they say it will be okay? Have you sat down and talked with them about it? You need to.
Maybe they would let you if they knew that not all groups are created equal.Maybe go online and get some lyric sheets and show them the words to some of the songs.You can find almost any group you want. Just go to google type in band name + lyrics. See if that maybe helps.


i have been seeing someone on /off for the last ten years . recently moved out because the depts are way to much for me, i know he cheats on me so why do i feel like i cant move on??? (link)
Because you've been in the relationship for 10 yrs! You have a lot of time invested.I think moving on is the way to go,but,it will take a while to get the message through to your head.It's a big change! Normal to feel that way.


I really like this guy, he usually stares at me during the classes we have together but my friend asked him if he liked me and he said no because i have small eyes! what do i do to this kid so he likes me?!! please help!! wb asap! (link)
What a weirdo.Your eyes are to small?
Never heard that one! You could try makeup.Might make your eyes look bigger.Whats he staring for if he don't like you? I think i'd try asking him that.You ask, not friend.


How can it be that you can have casual sex? I am a virgin and some of my friends have had sex. Those who have also have casual sex. I just don't understand how you can have sex without having a comitment. Doesn't it still end up being a comitment because someone will want a relationship. It's natural for humans to want to have a relationship. So why is it that people can have casual sex with different people without a more serious relationship?? (link)
I think like you do.
I believe sex should be with someone you hope to spend the rest of your life with. Not a casual anyone can do it with anyone thing. Sort of takes the specialness out of it doesn't it?
But,I guess most people don't feel that way about it anymore. I suppose they think it makes them all grown up...I don't really know.
If you don't think that you could handle the slam bam thank you mam thing,then I think you should wait. Don't let peer pressure make you do something that will make you unhappy.Some have hearts to big to deal with.:}


I haven't gotten my period since the end of January. I'm not sexually active, and haven't been for the past year and a half. However I had lost about 7-10 pounds since the last time I've gotten my period. Is there something wrong? Or do you think that I haven't gotten my period because of my weight loss and diet change? Thanks! (link)
Could be weight loss.I think i'd go get checked out to be on safe side. Depends on age too.Young girls will sometimes miss because they are growing too. I'd let mom know and see what she suggests.


ok, im 15/f and i think i like one of my really good guy friends. he flirts with me all the time in math or atleast it seems like he does..one of my really good friends cant believe i like him..what do i do cause i dont know if i can talk myself out of liking him like i do a lot. please help!! (link)
Keep talking.If he feels the same you should be able to figure it out soon enough.That or simply ask him.Good luck.


My girlfriend and I have been going out for 9 months, and its the first time I've loved anyone. Yesterday we were talking about looks and why it does/doesn't matter in a realtionship. She told me she wasint that physically attracted to me but my personality was enough. I didn't know how to react, I just smiled. She basically told me I was ugly and I dont know what to do. It sucks because I love her so much and I feel so low right now. I dont know what to do/what to think/ etc.

-17/male (link)
Ask her what she meant.Might not be as bad as you think! I'm willing to bet she didn't mean what you heard.Does that make sense? I say this because my husband is always saying the wrong thing.We joke about it now because it's been going on so long!He doesn't mean it the way it came out....I hope that makes sense!
Have you ever say a girl that you thought was beautiful, and then after you got to know her she was a real bitch? All of a sudden her personality made her ugly? Well a personality can make a plain person look beautiful too.
Whichever way she meant it, i'm sure she didn't mean to hurt your feelings.Go talk to her and set your mind at ease.


My husband seems to always have another female in his life..if its just a friend or an ex. he has a cell phone that he talks to her on alot.. they use to call the house..but it bothered me..so i said somethng bout it..now they call his cell. I mentioned to him that i noticed he always seemed to have to have another woman in his life..he tells me that i dont want him to have friends..but i told him i didnt care if he had "friends" just this girl thing is disrespectful i think. he told me that she was his best friend and there is nothing i can do about it..she disappears bout 2yrs ago ..all of a sudden she is in a bad relationship and pops back in..am i wrong for having a problem with this..is it right for him to have the hidden conversations..please let me know..relationship in jeopardy.. (link)
I wouldn't have so much of a problem with this if he wasn't hiding it.That would bother me too.
I guess you either put up with it or you don't.I know thats not much to give you.Do you think they are more than friends? They were calling him at home at first so maybe that's all it is.
You need to have a long talk about this.Make your decision after that.Sorry not more helpful.


my friend is going out with a guy. she is like my BEST FRIEND EVER, and this guy is 16 and shes 12. im worried because we both know this is an illegal relationship. what should i do? (link)
It's not really illegal until he's 18 but, I don't know what they would have in common.Maybe it's 16 in some states I don't know for sure.
Is she actually "going out" places with this guy or is she just saying he's her boyfriend? He may just be being nice to her and she's got a crush so is blowing it out of proportion.
If she's actually going out with him (where are her parents by the way?)I don't really think you can do much except rat on her.She most likely won't listen to you.Girls who think they are in love tend to be a little hard headed about these things.


like i am so confused i really want a bf now but like its wired cuz i like guys and i want a bf and everythings like pressure like my bff is my crushes gf and plz give me advice ! (link)
Breathe.LOL, sound kinda anxious!
You probably have a crush on the bff bf because (look what you guys have me doing! bff bf)he is hanging around a lot and is pretty handy.
You need to be on the look out for a nice guy to have all to yourself.You have to go talk to some until you find one you like.I know, ya don't want to talk to any but if you want one you have to go and be where they are and get yourself noticed.Go give it a try!:}


I've gained like, 20 pounds since I broke up with my boyfriend a month or so ago, and i relaly want to lose at least ten of them again. I eat rather healthy, veggies every day, no cokes, and just a cookie at lunch. i just eat a lot, like, I'll eat so much, and won't realize I'm full until I stand up from the table. And then, I'm always so stuffed! And there is nothing i can do about it. Ever time I tell my friends I wanna lose the 10 pounds, they call me anerixic. well, haha, If you've ever seen me eat, you couldn't be more wrong. I couldn't ever not eat, but I want a way to control my eating so I can keep my tummy flat. I'm not fat, but my stomache is a bit bigger than I'd like, luckily, i haven't gained fat anywhere else.
I was wondering if i should throw up food sometimes if i eat to much. Not like, every day or anything, just if I accidentally over eat. How do you make yourself throw up? Does it hurt?
Thanks. and please, i don't think i have a confidence issue, I've always had a high self esteem, but i want to lose 10 pounds. (link)
Not a good idea. Be glad it's only 10 lbs.!
Let me tell you what could happen if you started using vomiting as weight control.
Your teeth could rot out for one thing.Stomach acid is really hard on the old enamel.Not to mention what it will do to your gums.
Your body can get dehydrated and you will get irreguar heartbeats, which could lead to a heart attack.Or, you could just ruprure your stomach if you got into a regular habit of it.
So, I really don't think you even want to go there!
Eat 3 times a day, do not skip meals. Get yourself a small portion of everything mom makes for dinner,if you have to use a 1/2 cup measurer and measure it out until you get the hang of it.
Buy yourself some flavored yogurt for dessert and eat up to 3 of them everyday if you want to.
Exercise 30 minutes everyday. And you should be able to loose 10 lbs in no time.Or make up whatever works for you and stick with it.
If you need more encouragement don't hesitate to let me know. Feel free to use my email address.
Just don't do the vomit thing and make things worse for yourself okay?


To Hard to belive i went to paris and in the 4 days i was there 3 amazing things happened i got my 1st boyfriend (he asked me out in Versailles in the hall of mirrors) The next day I turned 14 and then on the 12 hour plane ride back I got my first kiss. Is that to hard to belive? Or am i just thinking it is and over reacting. I just dont no what to do and i am new at this but how can i make a move??

So what i am asking is:
Is this to much and to overwhealming?
How can i make a move

14f and he is also 14 almost 15 (link)
Is he in your class? At first I thought he was a guy from Paris!
Enjoy. You think this is overwhelming? Your just getting started! Hang on to your hat!


This guy seemed to like me for a while and so i made a move by subtlely flirting with him. thing is-i ended up falling head over heals for him. everytime i'd see him...my friends would make a really big deal-almost everyone knew i liked him...but after that he started to stop smiling the way he did...and now we don't talk or wave or smile...what happened? (link)
If they tormented him about it that may have scared him a little. All is not lost however.
I think you need to ask him what happened to that beautiful smile of his,or something like that and see what he says.DON"T do it when your friends or his are around if at all possible.


i liked your advice and i was hoping if you could help me a bit more. The thing is i'm a bit a shy when it comes to asking a guy to go to the movies and stuff. i get the whole confidence thing its just that i like him a lot...he so adorably cute and is the nicest guy. its just that almost everyone knew that i liked him-could that be a turn off? i mean i could tell he liked me but...i dunno...how do i fix this? help! (link)
I always was to.I'm usually pretty shy until I get to know someone.
I don't think everyone knowing would be a turn-off. It sure sounds like he likes you, wish he'd make a move!
You have to put yourself where he can approach you. Know what I mean? How to say this....Maybe with another friend who isn't as shy.Could you say something to him if a friend went with you? And you kinda sat near him somewhere.Maybe talk about music or something that he might jump in on? Then once you start talking to him have friend vamoose?
I know your shy but you gotta let him know your interested somehow. Drop your books right in front of him or something! Don't know if that old trick would work or not....Try to get brave and really...let me know what happens, okay? Hope
you get your man!:}


hey, ok, well my room always seems to get EXTREMELY messy. i straigten it up, but then it just gets dirty right away. there's always clothes on the floor, desk cluttered, dishes everywhere, the works. so, this is a pretty general quesiton, so anything constructive i will rate 5's! so, plz give me some tips on how you keep your room decent! (link)
Get a clothes hamper or basket for your clothes.
get a basket for pens, etc. on your desk.Box to throw the bigger junk in.
Put dishes where they belong (not floor)
I try to do this but, gotta tell you doesn't always work for me.A domestic godess I am not!


i like a guy who is a year older than me. He's amazingly cute and a lot of girls like him. at the beginning of this year we saw each other at these student forum meetings at school and he always came and sat by me and talked and smiled-i could tell he liked me so at the homecoming dance i asked him to dance and it was great- at school we usually just say hi and smile in a flirtacious way during passing periods-but lately we don't say anything and i don't think he likes me anymore-how do i get his attention and get him to like me again? (link)
You better go chase him down and talk to him! I don't think he stopped liking you just like that!
Don't just smile say something! Anything! He may think you don't like him. Might be shy or something.Invite him to a movie! I think he will accept:}


Okay theres this kid at my school. And we like "talk" on and off all year. Usually when we do talk its like ya know, we should hook up type of thing. And right now we're talking...how can i get him to really like me so we can finally hook up?? (link)
Is there something coming up you could invite him to? Don't know age so kinda hard to say.
School dance?
Just tell talk is cheap you want action! He likes you or he wouldn't bother talking to you.




read advice get advice make favorite read feedback advicenators

<<< Previous Advice Column
Next Advice Column >>>

eXTReMe Tracker