Ask Clayre
Ask Clayre is a page where people come and ask us questions. Clayre solves problems on anything from school, dealing with bullies. The 
topics are unlimited! Clayre is a made up name that we all choose to answer problem. Want to ask a question to Clayre? Just type it in the What. Do. You. Think blog spot and we will get back to you ASAP! Enjoy Popcorn news' very own Ask Clayre! (Just a note- the person who has responded to the question's name is at the top. The question has been written by the other partener. SM) -CD
Busy Bee-CD Troubled-SM Caught In the Middle-CD
Invisible to Mom-SM Hollister Wannabe-CD Friends for Never?-SM
Busy Bee-CD
Dear Clayre,
I have way to much homework, and too many extra-curricular activites, and I always end up falling behind in one or the other. When I try to quit some activities, the team members always say that I’m letting them down, and I end up re-joining. What do I do?
Sincerely, Busy Bee
Dear Busy Bee,
You should try to start organizing a bit. Try making a time schedual to help you keep track of your homework and extra-curricular activities. Teachers are always there to help you if you are falling behind, try asking for remmedial. Maybe even have a little study party with your friends! Talk to your team-mates that you want to focus about academics as equally as sports and that you hope they understand. Good Luck!
Sincerely, Clayre
Troubled-SM
Dear Clayre,
I just moved from Australia and I don't really have that many friends. Some girls like to pick on me because they think they are better. I always end up crying myself to sleep every night and I'm starting to get tyred of this. I want to tell the teachers, but I know they will just get mad at me and will want to pick on me even more! What should I do? Tell on them or just do nothing?
Sincerely,
The Troubled
Dear Troubled,
Teachers and family are there for help. Try talking to your parents, and have them talk to your teachers instead- it may help with the awkwardness. Instead of letting these girls get to you, vent your anger or sadness in a journal, and don’t let anyone get to you. The only way you can let them win is by letting them make fun of you. Stick up for yourself, and they will stop. Bullying is only fun if someone accepts it. In the mean time, search for other girls or guys that are neutral in the situation, and be-friend them. It may benefit for the best of you both.
Sincerely, Clayre
Caught In the Middle-CD
Dear Clayre,
I have been moved from foster family to foster family, and have finally felt like I was fitting in. Family life is good, but my foster parents are running low on money, and their children keep on taking money for their own they keep own personal items (my older foster sister just got an iPod chromatic) I know that I should tell them to stop, but I’m new in the family, and don’t want to ruin my reputation with them. I know that we will eventually go bankrupt if they keep on spending. What should I do?
Caught in The Middle
Dear Caught In The Middle,
Try talking to them and telling them what will happen if they keep using your family's money. You can always talk to your parents about it and see if they can try to stop your siblings. If you want to help your family earn money, try getting a job on your spare time. It may not only be you that would like to help, maybe your sister will too!
Sincerely,
Clayre
Invisible to Mom-SM
Dear Clayre,
My dad passed away when I was 6. I thought things were going to be fine but sudenly, my mom got the idea of dating again. My mom's new boyfriend is nice, but I don't think I'm ready for all this. My mom really wants to be with him now and she seems to spend more time with him than she does with me! Every time I see him now, it just makes me want to give one last hug to my dad and reminds me how much I miss him. How can I tell my mom about this without hurting her feelings?
Sincerely,
Invisible to Mom
Dear Invisible to Mom,
I'm sure that is you let your mom know, things will change.Ways to tell her are letting her know that there is something to discuss, and say it. The tell her how you feel. Mothers care about how you feel so she should understand. Tell her that you miss your dad as well. Perhaps you both can set aside a day a go see you father's grave and still stay well connected. Sincerely, Clayre
Hollister Wannabe-CD
Dear Clayre,
I keep on being made fun of at school because my clothes aren’t as expensive as the other girls. I know that my clothes aren’t the best, but my mom can only afford what I have. She’s a single parent working 3 jobs just so she can pay the rent. I don’t want to tell her about the teasing because she’ll feel really bad. I know she’s doing her best. What should I do?
Sincerely, Hollister Wannabe
Dear Hollister Wannabe,
If you don't want to talk to your mom, try talking to a guidance counselor at school maybe. If you want to help your mom, you can always find a job on your spare time to help her out. Help your mom out as much as possible like work around the house maybe even cook dinner for her sometimes! Make some friends with kids your age. Bullies only pick on people who are either by themself or can't stand up for themselves. These may sound pretty hard stuff to do, but if you are up for the challenge, you will see you are going to develop a stronger you.
Sincerely,
Clayre
Friends for Never?-SM
Dear Clayre,
One of my friends just told me one of her darkest secrets. She smokes. She told me not to tell anyone about it, not even a teacher or parent. I know that smoking is wrong but she doesn't want to listen to me. She said it make her feel good and it helps her get over time that are bad. I've tryed talking some sence into her but she won't listen to me and all she does is tell me to try one and that it won't do anything. Please help me with a way that will not involve teachers or any way that will ruin our friendship. Sincerely, Clayre
Dear Friends for Never,
There is a very thin line between betraying your friends, and helping them, and you have arrived at that line. You seem very much awake about how smoking affects your life, so try talking to your friend about it. See if you can convince her that she should quit, and be by her side if she chooses too. If that does not work, talk to somebody, but don’t let them know who you are really talking about. That way, you will get an idea for what you should discuss with your friend. If all of that does not work, tell your friends parents, but secretly, and ask them for their help. Just remember...if you stick by your friend, she will realize how lucky she is to have someone that cares that much. Sincerely, Clayre
No Life Low Life-CD
Dear Clayre.
Lots of my friends have been acting really immature. I thought it was because of exams, but last week I found out. To get rid of the stress for exams, my friends have been doing drugs, and now they want me to start with them. I know that it’s not a good idea, but they are my friends...and some of them have threatened to tell all of my secrets (from grade 2) I’m stuck between right and wrong. What should I do?
No life Low Life
Dear No Life Lo Life,
This is obvioulsy a very dangerous situation for you. What you should do is inform them about what will happen if they keep on taking drugs. Inform them how having a few drugs can lead them to breaking the laws if they continue to take more. Here are some ways to say no to them:
-reverse the situation by saying 'Why are you bothering me?'
-walk away and tell them you have soccer parctise and you need to leave because you are late
-find your way out of the situation by telling them a joke.
Talk to your guidance counselor! It's important to do so. Friends are people that accept you for who you are and respects your choices. It's important to choose wise friends, in this situation, these girls are not what you thought they were. Find new friends that you are sure will respect you, in this case stick up for each other. You know you will always find someone to rely on.
Sincerely,
Clayre
Beaten Kid-SM
Dear Clayre.
Our school is very crowded this year so we have to share lockers now. I usually carry lot's of stuff in my locker and there is usually not enough space for myself! My new "locker roommate" is a girl who is so untidy. She leaves her luck from last week inside our locker, she leaves her gym clothes for a month in there and she caries 4 different pairs of shoes! I tried talking to her, but all she says is "beat it kid". You might as well call her as a bully. Most people say to tell an adult, but lucky me I have a partner who hates tattle tales.
Sincerely, Beaten Kid
Dear Beaten Kid,
We all know what it feels like to be stuck with a messy locker partner. Try cleaning up her half, so that it will benefit you both. If you don’t really want to touch her belongings, try talking to your guidance counsellor. She/he should have a list of all the lockers being shared, and perhaps she can shift around some partners. If all fails, stick some air freshener in the locker, and talk to the principal. The girl doesn’t have to know you told, and if her side is as bad as you say, other kids would have realized. The principal will insure that her side will be cleaned, or that the janitor throws everything away. In the mean time, I suggest getting a gas mask. 
Sincerely, Clayre
Too Cool for You-CD
Dear Clayre,
I am the major trend setter at school, and everybody loves me. But there’s on issue. My little sister goes to the same high school as me, and she happened to get a hold of my diary. I know that she will not hesitate to read it to the whole school, and make my reputation go down the drain. The only way she will stop is if I include her in my clique at school...but she’s a wannabe goth, and I can be seen hanging out with her. What should I do?
Too Cool for You
Dear Too Cool for You,
You should know that family is just as important as friends sometimes. You should learn to respect others for who they are, remmember that not every living being is there just for you and need to be at your standards. Tell your parents that your sister stole your diary, if not talk to her. If the reason you don't like her is because she is a wannabe goth, you can always talk to her and tell her you know the perfect way to update her look with some of your awesome fashion touches. Try not to judge others for what they wear! Maybe underneath all those goth jewlery, your sister may just please you the way she is.
Sincerely,
Clayre
Laughing Stock-SM
Dear Clayre,
The school Talent Show is coming up soon. Most of my friends are possitive they are going to participate...but me.
What people don't know is that I have a passion for singing. It helps me with the things I'm going through in life.
I really want to perform and just be noticed, but I'm not sure I'm good enough, and I also have stage fright. I mean, what if I start singing and I'm horrible and become the laughing stock of the school? What should I do?!
Laughing stock?
Dear Laughing Stock,
The only barrier that is stopping you is yourself. Don’t be afraid to let yourself be noticed. Get together with one very close friend, and, with her help, go through the motions of being on stage. Slowly, you will begin to feel comfortable performing. Focus your energy from singing into making sure that your performance is amazing. Another thing to do is sing, imagining that the audience is fake.
My luck is with you, Clayre
Best friend of Doom-by CD.. 21/12/08
Dear Clayre,
My best friend has really been getting on my nerves. She will backstab me and then come back to me crying so that I will forgive her. I always do, and part of that reason is because her family and my family are really close. Just recently, she pushed me into a river, and I ended up breaking my arm. Everybody always sticks up for her, and they don’t believe me when I say “sweet old” Jenny (I changed her name) did it. No one will believe me, and I don’t want to be friends with her anymore. What do I do?
Sincerely, Best friend of Doom
Dear Best friend of Doom,
A friend is someone that will stick up for you, someone who always has your back and someone who you can trust. Obviously, Jenny isn't what I would refer to as a Best friend. Instead of spending your time trying to convince people, tell her personaly that you do not want her to be your friend anymore. The only reason she picks on you is because she is either afraid of you or she really isn't a nice person. What she is doing is being rude to you, then make it feel like it was your fault when it was hers. Talk to her, and if she doesn't listen to you, make new friends. Next time when picking friends, make sure they know what true friendship really is.
Sincerely, Clayre
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