Montana

I'm 17 years old and I have two younger sisters (one's 13 and one's 12). I was telling the 13 year old sister how excited I was because gay marriage was finally legalised in the US and then my mum walked in and asked me why I was so happy. I didn't really want to answer because my parents are extremely extremely extremely right-wing Christians, but she kept on asking me so I finally told her why. And then she suddenly starts screaming at me telling me how I need to shut up and stop corrupting my younger siblings (who are both very, very intelligent and come to me with questions about issues themselves). My mum then threatened me by saying that if I humiliate the family by walking out of church tomorrow at the mention of gay marriage, my dad and her will "ruin my life" because I "have no idea what [they] can do to me" and kept on telling me to "try it". She grabbed my face and told me that if she ever hears me speaking to my sisters about anything of the sort ever again they're going to kick me out and I honestly think she meant it.

I'm just so frustrated and hurt because I honestly don't do anything bad to them. I get straight A+ at school and I don't go out and drink and take drugs or sleep around but I'm still this horrible, corrupt, immoral human being in their eyes. They always tell my sisters not to talk to me because "I'm long gone" just because I don't believe in everything the church says. I'm so scared and unhappy at home and I hate being threatened all the time.

I'm 17 years old and I have two younger sisters (one's 13 and one's 12). I was telling the 13 year old sister how excited I was because gay marriage was finally legalised in the US and then my mum walked in and asked me why I was so happy. I didn't really want to answer because my parents are extremely extremely extremely right-wing Christians, but she kept on asking me so I finally told her why. And then she suddenly starts screaming at me telling me how I need to shut up and stop corrupting my younger siblings (who are both very, very intelligent and come to me with questions about issues themselves). My mum then threatened me by saying that if I humiliate the family by walking out of church tomorrow at the mention of gay marriage, my dad and her will "ruin my life" because I "have no idea what [they] can do to me" and kept on telling me to "try it". She grabbed my face and told me that if she ever hears me speaking to my sisters about anything of the sort ever again they're going to kick me out and I honestly think she meant it.

I'm just so frustrated and hurt because I honestly don't do anything bad to them. I get straight A+ at school and I don't go out and drink and take drugs or sleep around but I'm still this horrible, corrupt, immoral human being in their eyes. They always tell my sisters not to talk to me because "I'm long gone" just because I don't believe in everything the church says. I'm so scared and unhappy at home and I hate being threatened all the time.

I'm 17 years old and am turning 18 in a few months. I've been wearing more makeup lately just because I genuinely like the way it makes me look/feel. And the makeup that I do wear isn't even that extreme -- it's usually just a stroke of eyeliner, mascara. Today, I came home from the city (I had a university extension lecture) and my parents told me that I needed to change the way I was dressing because my shorts and my makeup will attract the wrong kind of boys and will get me raped. They then proceeded to tell me that I look "slutty" and will "never find a good boyfriend". It was really, really hot today (a typical Australian summer day), and I was wearing shorts that weren't even that short and weren't denim or ripped or anything as well as a button up t-shirt which revealed absolutely nothing in my chest or shoulder region.

My parents are extremely religious, and I am certainly not. They're also naturally very conservative too and are completely against gay marriage, feminism, etc. and it's becoming really hard for me to be constantly criticised for everything I do or say. I haven't even had a proper boyfriend I'm still a virgin -- and they know all of this but still insist on shaming me just because I was wearing eyeliner and shorts? It really upsets me that my worth has been reduced in their eyes because of my personal tastes. I don't know what I should do or say because I don't want to change who I am but I also hate fighting?

I'm 17 years old and am turning 18 in a few months. I've been wearing more makeup lately just because I genuinely like the way it makes me look/feel. And the makeup that I do wear isn't even that extreme -- it's usually just a stroke of eyeliner, mascara. Today, I came home from the city (I had a university extension lecture) and my parents told me that I needed to change the way I was dressing because my shorts and my makeup will attract the wrong kind of boys and will get me raped. They then proceeded to tell me that I look "slutty" and will "never find a good boyfriend". It was really, really hot today (a typical Australian summer day), and I was wearing shorts that weren't even that short and weren't denim or ripped or anything as well as a button up t-shirt which revealed absolutely nothing in my chest or shoulder region.

My parents are extremely religious, and I am certainly not. They're also naturally very conservative too and are completely against gay marriage, feminism, etc. and it's becoming really hard for me to be constantly criticised for everything I do or say. I haven't even had a proper boyfriend I'm still a virgin -- and they know all of this but still insist on shaming me just because I was wearing eyeliner and shorts? It really upsets me that my worth has been reduced in their eyes because of my personal tastes. I don't know what I should do or say because I don't want to change who I am but I also hate fighting?

I'm 16 and I've never had a proper boyfriend and embarrassingly enough, I haven't even had my first kiss. One of my friends I've known for a while outside of school moved to my school this year, and she is honestly gorgeous. Everyone knows it, I know it, she even knows it. I hate feeling jealous because it's not her fault she's pretty and I'm not and I know it's wrong for me to feel like this. I just get really upset sometimes because every single person in the year level will prefer her to me and will always choose her instead of me. The boy I like happens to be one of my best friends, and we're comfortable enough with each other to have long rants about things in our lives, but it's so obvious that he likes my friend. It makes me really upset because I'm the one who's there for him all the time, and I'm the one who listens to all his problems, and she doesn't even notice him because she honestly flirts with every single boy in the school, yet they all want her! It makes me feel so stupid when he asks me about my friend, because I don't know what to say! I don't want to lie to him because that would make him sad and that would probably break my heart more than him not liking me, so instead, I just help him and give him advice. I just feel so dumb because I don't know what to do, and I feel like such a bad person because I'm jealous of her. I hate being the second choice for everyone and it makes me feel like I'm really not good enough or deserving of anyone really liking me. I just want the boy I like to be happy and I can guarantee that she's not going to make him happy because she's always loved flirting with the boys, and she's going to hurt him in the end. I'm so torn and I'm so sick of getting pushed to the side whenever my friend enters the room. Can anyone help me?

I'm 16 and I've never had a proper boyfriend. I'm always friend zoned and it's really hurtful sometimes. So many boys come to me with their problems and we talk about it and they're always texting me all the things they're thinking about, and they always say things like, "Thanks for being such a good friend, you're so easy to talk to." But I know for sure that none of them like me in that way, and it gets kinda hurtful because I know that nobody likes me like that. I guess I'm just a little fed up, and guys always say that they want a girl who's smart and friendly and funny, and I'm honestly not trying to be stuck up or anything, but I feel like I fit into those categories even though I'm definitely not gorgeous. I'm so confused because they say they want a girl who's got a good personality even though they always go for the popular girls who are so easy and party every weekend. I suppose I just feel a little hurt and confused, that's all. I have no idea what's wrong with me and I hate being friend zoned with every single guy, even if I like him! It makes me really sad knowing that I'm actually that unappealing and I know I sound like such a whiny teenage girl, but I am hurt. So guys, what's your honest opinion on this? I don't know what I'm doing wrong and I thought guys wanted girls with good personalities and stuff.

I'm 15 and in Year 10 and as part of our school's Careers curriculum, all Year 10's must undergo a week's worth of work experience at the place of their choice.

I've decided to go to a PR company and I'm so nervous because it's next week. It's almost an hour and a half from where I live and I have to take two trains and a tram and I'm very scared because I'm not familiar with the route. I live in Melbourne, Australia and I'm fine going into the city and back, but this is a different line which goes off to a different place. And I'm nervous that I'm going to be late and not know where to go. Also, I finish at 5pm so I'm terrified of getting my way back home when it's dark and I know this sounds so paranoid but I don't want to get kidnapped at a train station or anything like that! I'm also scared that the people at my workplace won't like me and I'll annoy them because it was really my dad who secured me my placement there. I've always been told at every work place I go to that I'm a good worker and I try my best to be, but I'm so nervous for this because it's so far away and unfamiliar.

Does anyone have any tips or advice? What should I be expecting? I'm so nervous and I really want to do well and I don't want to let my anxiety ruin everything! Thanks in advance.

I'm 15 and in Year 10 and as part of our school's Careers curriculum, all Year 10's must undergo a week's worth of work experience at the place of their choice.

I've decided to go to a PR company and I'm so nervous because it's next week. It's almost an hour and a half from where I live and I have to take two trains and a tram and I'm very scared because I'm not familiar with the route. I live in Melbourne, Australia and I'm fine going into the city and back, but this is a different line which goes off to a different place. And I'm nervous that I'm going to be late and not know where to go. Also, I finish at 5pm so I'm terrified of getting my way back home when it's dark and I know this sounds so paranoid but I don't want to get kidnapped at a train station or anything like that! I'm also scared that the people at my workplace won't like me and I'll annoy them because it was really my dad who secured me my placement there. I've always been told at every work place I go to that I'm a good worker and I try my best to be, but I'm so nervous for this because it's so far away and unfamiliar.

Does anyone have any tips or advice? What should I be expecting? I'm so nervous and I really want to do well and I don't want to let my anxiety ruin everything! Thanks in advance.

I'm 15 and I weigh 54kg and I'm 5'5. I'm going on a cruise in a week and a bit and I really want to have a good body for it. I'm pretty fit and I dance and swim, but they don't give me a toned stomach. Is there any way that I could get a flat tummy by the cruise?

I'm 15, and I'm getting braces soon. I have to get teeth taken out tomorrow so I can get the braces on. I'm so scared and really nervous. I'm terrified at this point. Does it hurt?

I'm 14 and I've had my period for a while now. But the period pain seems to be getting worse and worse. My mum's at work and I'd rather not talk about it with my dad and I don't know what to do. The painkillers aren't exactly helping. I've taken two in the past few hours and it's seriously getting worse. Are there any ways I can stop this? I feel like my ovaries are being weaved into a freaking friendship bracelet.

So it's Summer here in Australia... and that means bikinis and beaches and surfing and stuff... but my stomach has turned kinda flabby seeing I haven't bothered to exercise during winter and autumn... and now it's summer and I really need to get my stomach flat and toned.

So are there any tips? Exercises to do? And what can I do to achieve this quickly? I'm going to the beach in two weeks and I'd like to have a good body by then. Thanks. x

My school is one of those schools where the High School is kinda joined to the Primary School. So I've been there all my life. In the High School... there's only about 200 kids. I'm scared because the school I'm moving to has about 2000. I've never ever moved before so I have no idea what to do. I'm usually pretty confident and loud with people I know and are comfortable with... but I'm so shy with strangers.

So what do I do? I'm scared that I'm gonna get there on my first day and just get lost in the school coz it's a huge campus. And what if I don't make any friends? I'm so scared. I'm 14 and I'm really worried and nervous.

Here are my grades:

English: A+

Maths: C+

History: C+

German: B

PE: A

Science: A

Music: A+

Religion: A+

I'm usually a straight A student. And last semester, I got two B's and they yelled at me so much for that. No, I'm not Asian if you're wondering. And I promised them that I'd try harder, but obviously I haven't tried hard enough.

I just don't understand how I got those low scores. My Maths teacher went on leave the whole semester so we didn't have a real teacher, and we had this other teacher who can't really teach. And my History teacher went on leave as well, so we had the same teacher. So I think that's got to do with my grades. Maths and History used to be my favourite subjects, so I'm so disappointed in myself.

I don't know how to tell them. My parents won't get mad, but they'll get disappointed, which is worse than getting mad. And my excuse is that we had a crappy teacher the whole time, but they won't buy that. I'm so scared and I don't know if I should hide the report card from them...

I've never, ever, ever gotten a C before... the worse I've ever gotten in a B, so I'm so worried. Please help me...

I'm auditioning for X-Factor next year, because I finally turn 14, and that's the age you have to be to enter.

So I'm kinda confused because in the auditions, you're meant to sing the first verse, the chorus, the bridge and then the last chorus... so... how are you meant to get the instrumental version to sing along with? Do you have to edit it yourself or...

And any warm up tips for your voice? I'm so bad at warming up and I never do it... but I know it's important.

And please tell me any general things to remember when auditioning and while singing. I'm really nervous because I've never done anything so major before... I'm only 13.

And I don't mean to sound cocky or anything, but I think that I might, MIGHT have a chance one day in making it. You're supposed to believe in yourself, right? But the thing is, I'm really shy... so that gets in the way alot of the time. I've already gotten into an acting agency, so that's kinda helpful... but I still get so shy.

So if you have any tips, I'd be dying to know them! And yeah... I seriously don't understand how I'm gonna edit my instrumental version of the song because... I don't know how to, and you're not meant to sing the whole song.

I'm 13, and everytime I get my period, it hurts so badly. I'm a singer, and this morning, I even passed out on stage. It was so embarrassing... and I just want it to go away, but I know that's not really an option. So how do I stop the pain?

For our school banquet (which is kinda like prom... but not), the theme is Fairytales. So I'm kinda stuck on who I should go as.

I'm a girl, I've got long, thick black hair. I'm tanned. I have brown eyes.

And the character has to be a character where I can actually dress up nicely. Like, I want to look nice, and I want to be able to wear a really pretty dress.

If you've got a character in mind, do you think that you could also link me a dress that I could wear that goes with the character. You don't have to... but it be easier so then I'd know what type of dresses I should buy with it.

I've auditioned and I got into this really good choir.. And we're not allowed to have milk, cream, or any dairy products or any type of junk food.

We have to go on a vegetarian diet. And we have to make sure that we take vitamins and we have to exercise.

Also, the voice coach was like "I don't care if you have an exam coming up!! If you don't show up, then you're out!!"

And they've also put us on diets.

So it's VERY challenging to cope with all of that. And my parents said that I have to get all A's in my grades and stuff.

I don't know how to... and I've never really been in love. So what does it feel like to be in love?