Annie Fox for Teens... Hey, Terra!

Annie (AKA Hey Terra!) has been around long enough to have experienced a lot of what Life can dish out. But, it hasn’t been so long that she's forgotten what it's like to be your age. Check out some of the thousands of email questions teens from around the world have sent to Terra. You may learn something useful from her answers:

BF/GF Relationships:
“I'm 14 and the guy I like is 19.”

Hey Terra,

I know this guy at my church. First, I should tell you that I'm 14. We started going to this church about a year and a half ago. When I began to get to know everyone, "K" attracted my attention more than anyone else. I began to talk to him more and more, and we began to have very good conversations. We still often talk about horses (we BOTH love them so much!!!) Well, I think I should tell you that he is 19, and that is quite an age difference. I have really begun to fall for him, and he is the sweetest person I know. I think we could have a relationship, but I don't know what to do to "get the ball rolling." I also don't really know how to discuss this situation with my mom. She thinks "K" is a really nice person, also. We have talked about it before, but she never really has given me much advice. I would love it if you could help me figure out what to do. Thank you SOOOOOO much!!!

Completely Clueless

Dear Completely Clueless,

You underestimate yourself. You have already done all the right things to "get the ball rolling" with this guy. You've talked with him, discovered common interests and over a good amount of time, have become friends. That's great! I understand that you'd like to take this to the next level, i.e., to get romantic, but to tell you the truth, the age difference really troubles me. (I believe you have the same nagging doubts for the same reason I do.)

Here's my advice, keep this relationship at a friendship level. It's really not appropriate for you to be involved with a 19 year old guy on any other level. This may not have been the "advice" you were hoping for, but I think it's the wisest path to follow at this time.

In friendship,

Terra


Need some advice? Write to Terra. She'll give you a straight answer you can trust without any lectures.


What's New?
''The Girls Q&A Book on Friendship: 50 Ways to Fix a Friendship Without the DRAMA'' by Annie Fox, M.Ed., illustrated by Erica De Chavez Books & Apps for Teens
''Middle School Confidential 3: What's Up With My Family?'' iOS app ''Middle School Confidential 2: Real Friends vs. the Other Kind'' iOS app ''Middle School Confidential 1: Be Confident in Who You Are'' iOS app ''The Teen Survival Guide to Dating & Relating: Real-World Advice on Guys, Girls, Growing Up, and Getting Along'' by Annie Fox M.Ed.
''Middle School Confidential, Book 3: What's Up with My Family?'' by Annie Fox, Illustrated by Matt Kindt
''Middle School Confidential, Book 2: Real Friends vs. The Other Kind'' by Annie Fox M.Ed., Illustrated by Matt Kindt
''Middle School Confidential, Book 1: Be Confident in Who You Are'' by Annie Fox, Illustrated by Matt Kindt
''Too Stressed to Think? A Teen Guide to Staying Sane When Life Makes You CRAZY'' by Annie Fox, M.Ed. and Ruth Kirschner