Soccer

Dear Jessica,
I am chosen to play in A leauge soccer. I am glad that I'm chosen. But the problem is my friends are all in B leauge soccer. This opportunty jumps out at me. Should I do it or should I stay with my friends?
 Soccer Fan

 Dear Soccer Fan,
 This is a tough situation. Think about something. Do you really want to stay on the B leauge when you know you are good enough to be on the A leauge? I can tell your friends are important to you. If you decide to play in the A leauge, you can always make new friends.

TV isn't too much...... Or so we thought

 Dear Jessica,
I baby-sit for four little kids. The kids want to do nothing but watch TV. Every time I check on the kids, they are watching shows like Barney and Sesame Street. Jessica, I tried suggesting other activites but the kids won't turn off the TV. Do you have any ideas? Because I ran out of them.
       TV Crazed

Dear TV Crazed,
It's good that you realized this situaution is a problem. It's also a good thing that you tried suggesting other activities. If I were you, I would talk to the parents about this. Do they normally let thier kids watch this much TV? Is there a limit on TV time? If so, that limit needs to be estalblished while you are baby-sitting. There is such thing as too much TV.  Then try to do those other suggested activities.

It's Cold Outside

 Dear Jessica,
 I have to sing " Baby, It's Cold Outside" in the Christmas musical. I like singing. But the problem is my duet partner.  He is always sick. I can't go three feet near him without having this problem. Do you have any ideas for me?
        Warm but Cold

  Dear Warm but Cold,
This is a common problem.  It's true that you are always warm to people but being cold to somone who is always sick is not okay.  You have to deal with it.

Dream Job

 Dear Jessica,
 My dream job would have to be hosting my own television show. The problem is that my friends discourage the idea. Who should I listen to? Myself or my friends?
   Caught between my dream

 Dear Caught Between my dream,
 The answer is simple. You should listen to yourself. If your friends discourage the idea of of you becoming a TV show host, then don't listen to them. Follow your dreams.

Balancing Life

 Dear Jessica,
I am so busy. I am in art club, math club, softball, and in volleyball. I also baby-sit my dog and two cats and  I  assitant coach a pe wee softball team. Now there is a  community play that I want to be in. Am I doing too much?
     Busy

  Dear Busy,
 You are doing too much.  What you should do is balance  your activities.  Stick with the activities you like. If you are still doing too much, pick one or two activiites to drop.
 

Tough Classmate

 Dear Jessica,
My teacher recently switched seats. I am next to the loudest kid in the class. His name is " Cody". " Cody" will not be quiet during class. He will talk right over the teacher. Not only that, but he throws milk cartons over my head. And " Cody" is immature enough to throw spitballs at the back of my head. Jessica, I am desperate for answers.
 Annoyed

Dear Annoyed,
It is a good thing you are desperate for answers because I have some for you. Ignore Cody when he talks over the teacher. ( He may not be talking directly to you.)   Duck when he throws milk cartons over your head. If this behavior continues, ask to be moved to another seat.

Too Different?

 Dear Jessica,
 I dislike school because I get  bullied. I get  bullied everyday because I am unpopular and "different". The popular kids always pick on the kids who are "different".  Why does this happen? What can I do to stop the bullying?
  Too Different

 Dear  Too Different,
You have a right to be mad about this. And yes, you can stop the bullying. Stick with your friends. If the bullies see you, go down a different hallway. Tell the bullies to stop. If that doesn't work, then tell  the principal. The principal will stop the bullying at once.

Buried Alive

 Dear Jessica,
My father is the champion at hoarding things. He hoards junk in every room in the house including MY room. Should I try to help my father? Is there anything I can do?
 Buried in Danbury

 Dear Buired in Danbury,
 Yes, there's something you can do. You can ask your father if you can  help clean up the junk. If your father does not want to fix the problem, then you must get authorities to solve this problem. Rmember, this problem can't be solved by yourself. It's time to get help.

Cheating In School: Is it okay?

 Dear Jessica,
  What if I am not prepared for a test? What if the person next to me is really smart and I want to get the answers from them on the test? Is it okay for me to cheat?
         Desperate for good grades

   Dear Desperate for good grades,
  First of all, it's NEVER okay to cheat on tests. Second of all, you will get in major trouble. Third of all, it doesn't matter who you sit next to during the test. They may be as desperate as you. I suggest you work harder if you want to get good grades.

Just say Whoa!!

 Dear Jessica,
 I am baby-sitting for seven kids. It doesn't help that they are brats. None of them will cooperate with one another. HELP!!!!!!
Annoyed by brats

 Dear Annoyed by brats,
 You have a right to be annoyed. Try to get the kids to calm downby having them watch a movie. Kids tend to forget what they are arguing about if they watch a movie. This also works when they are organized in a game- but only if all the kids are included. Also try allowing the kids to each have thier choice of activity for fifteen minutes.  I also reccomend hiring a second sitter. This is easier than handling all those kids yourself. I reccomend you try these suggestions.