Dear Andy,
I am 16 years old and I really want to get just a small tattoo on my shoulder of Minnie Mouse. Problem: my mother will not give me permission to get it done. I don't want to have to wait two more years until I am 18! What can I do to convince my Mom that there's nothing wrong with getting a tattoo and that it is perfectly safe?

• Tattoos

• Kids Teasing Appearance

• Dealing with Parents

• Minimizing Cramps

• Gender-dependent Careers?

• "Just friends"

I have to tell you, I'm with your Mom. I can't imagine why someone would want to do something so permanent to themselves. Are you still wearing the same clothes you wore a year ago? How about the same hairstyle? How do you know you will still love this Minnie Mouse, 2 years from now, let alone a lifetime from now? Nothing stays in fashion forever, and nothing will define the person you are or will be in the future forever. Can you see yourself 10 years from now at some formal occasion wearing a gown, expensive jewelry, and a Minnie Mouse tattoo? My advice is to stick with the non-permanent tattoos, at least until you've had a few more years to think about it.

Dear Andy,
I moved to Wyoming a few years ago and ever since, people have made fun of me because I am burned. I just want people to see me for the person I am inside, not just the outside.

I'm always saddened when I hear that people continuously tease and bully others for body differences that there is nothing wrong with or that can't be changed. It also really irks me when people take pride in some bodily appearance that they got through some luck of genetics like it is a personal acheivement! Bullies everywhere have one thing in common... they think that they can make themselves feel better by trying to make someone else feel bad. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Those that judge you from your outward appearance are not worth worrying about in my opinion. Be the beautiful person you are and hold your head high. Those people who cannot see beyond your burns are a lot more disfigured than you are. Don't worry - the ones who look beyond the burns to see the person you really are will be the kinds of people that will be your friends forever.

Dear Andy,
I really like my life but sometimes my Mom doesn't understand me. It gets frustrating! What should I do? It's embarrassing to talk to her!

I wish I had a dollar for every time my Mother said she didn't understand me! It's funny though how when it mattered most, she DID understand me, and I do know she always loves me and wants the best for me.

You have to remember that everyone is unique and has their own ideas. People are never going to agree about everything with anyone, especially your Mother! When you say your Mom doesn't always understand you, I'm guessing it's because you are disagreeing about something you want to do. you don't see the things that she is concerned about, or if you do, you think she is treating you like a child.

Part of the growing up process involves showing your parents that you are ready for new things. This started from when you were a baby learning to walk. Your parents chased after you with protective arms until you proved to them that you could get from point A to point B without falling down.

It's no different now. your parents need to see that you are mature and responsible enough to handly the new things you want to do. If you can show them that they will understand you completely.

Dear Andy,
Every time on the first or second day of my period, I have major, major cramps, and I feel like throwing up a lot too. I don't even eat chocolate! Can you help me?

Some girls do get a lot of cramps with their menstrual cycle. There are some products on the market specially designed to relieve menstrual cramps, but I believe you can take ordinary pain relievers like Aspirin, Tylenol or Advil.

Some girls say they get some relief by using a heating pad on their tummy when they go to bed at night.

I'm not sure about different foods affecting the severity of cramps, but if you've noticed that chocolate bothers you, it's a good idea to keep away from it.

Dear Andy,
I'm 15 and living with my grandparents. The other night, my Grandmother asked if I had anything in mind that I would like to study by the time I get to grade 12. I told her I had being a mechanic as my number one choice of careers. She looked at me in shock. Later, when I told my best friends I want to work with cars, either as a mechanic or racing, she told me that that's not a girls' job.

Am I weird to want this, and is this really just a guy's job?

Well I happen to know a lot of girls who have gotten into fields that were typically guy's jobs in the past. for example, I know several carpenters, one electrician, a welder and... a heavy duty mechanic. They all are women.

For what it's worth, I also know guys who have gotten into fields that used to be typically dominated by women, like nursing and child care.

There's an old saying that goes, "Chose a job you love, and you'll never have to work a day in your life." You go, girl!

Dear Andy,
There's this one boy who has a crush on me, but I don't like him like that. I just want to be friends with him, not a girlfriend. My question is, what should I say to him?

I guess what you say depends on his behaviour towards you. If all he's doing is hanging around you, then there should be no problem. you can do things with him just like any other friend that you like to hang around with.

If he's asking you directly to be his girlfriend or trying to hold your hand or kiss you, you can say, "I'm not ready for a relationship with you, but I still like you and want to do things with you."

If I were you, I would let him know that he's welcome to hang around with you as long as he respects your wishes to be treated just as a friend. If he can't, it's best if you don't hang together.