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.
Freedom Politics: Faulty Afghan war spending
Straight Talk for Teens
- Can you trust calling parents for a ride?
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- Dear Straight Talk: My boyfriend got drunk on Fourth of July and, still, I let him drive me home. Nobody could give me a ride and the alternative was calling my parents. They would have come and gotten me, but then they wouldn't have let me see my bo... Full story
- Teen sings the caffeine overdose blues
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- Dear Straight Talk: I'm 16. Does anyone have advice for how to get off caffeine? Every day I need a coffee or energy drink fix, usually more than once. I feel so sluggish without them. It's summer, and I'd like to clean up my act. Help! — Santa... Full story
- Fatherlessness is a major factor in teen failures
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- Dear Straight Talk: I am stepfather to three teenagers. I have attended several high school commencements and have noticed a pattern of students thanking their moms but never their dads. Many students thank their "family," but I have never ... Full story
- Stepdad's smoke permeates small apartment
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- Dear Straight Talk: In the recent letter from "Smoked-out" about her sister's boyfriend sneaking cigarettes in their bedroom, at least she has house no-smoking rules on her side. But what if it's your parent or step-parent who smokes? Our ... Full story
- We have poor health and lots of it
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- Dear Straight Talk: I'm 20 and just got diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I'm not even overweight. A friend has something wrong with her thyroid. Another takes high blood pressure meds. Another has asthma. Another Asperger's. A couple of friends are on... Full story
