Baby-sitting is one of the best summer jobs out there! But entertaining the kids can be a real drag when they’re bored and you can’t think of a thing to do. Try these fun activities -- and remember how cool it is to be a kid!

Kids’ Choice Awards
Wanna get on the kids’ good sides right away? Ask them to show you their fave toys, games and books … but do it like a red carpet–worthy awards ceremony! Have the kids announce their Best Activity That Involves a Paintbrush and Favorite Fairy Tale of All Time. It’s a fun way to find out what the kids are into and to seal the friendship.

Bag of Tricks
When your charges get tired of playing with their toys, whip something out of your own bag of goodies. Fill a cute tote with stuff from around your house, such as your brother’s old remote-controlled dinosaur or your My Little Pony collection.

Wear ’em Out!
Bring a few old pieces from Halloween costumes, like a plastic mask or feather boa, and play dress-up. Be sure to deck out all glitz-and-glam when conducting your fancy awards ceremony. (See our first idea above.)

Dance the Night Away
Put together a baby-sitting playlist on your iPod, and you and the kids can have a mini dance party! Just call it your secret weapon of mass fun-dom.

Which … Craft?
Break out the craft supplies! Here’s an idea: See how many alien characters the kids can make with various types of uncooked pasta, glitter and tacky glue. Just try to keep it on the less-messy end of the art spectrum by putting newspaper down on the work surface first and being sure to clean up afterward. (No one wants angry parents at the end of the night!)

Play With Your Food!
Continue the creativity into snack time! Turn gummy fruit bits into edible sculptures by molding them between your fingers (clean hands, please!). Record your creations on a digital camera for keeps.

Silly Story Time
Help out a kid who’s learning to read, and let her practice with you. Step it up a notch by having everyone make a funny voice for each character. Hit up the library before your baby-sitting gig, and show the kids that reading is fun!

Are you desperately in need of advice? You could always bounce it off your BFF. Or your mom. Or your guidance counselor. Or … yourself! Here, we show you some tried-and-true techniques for following your own heart.

TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION: GUT-CHECK TIME

The Sitch: Your cousin is running with the wrong crowd, and she’s invited you to go to the mall with her and the crew this weekend. You miss your cuz; the two of you always have so much fun together! But you didn’t get such a good vibe from these kids the first time you met them.

Check Yourself: No need to answer your cousin on the fly! Thank her for the invite and tell her you’ll get back to her. Then take some quiet time to sort it all out. Sit down, close your eyes, still your mind and feel your truth. Would you like to give her friends a chance, or are you just not getting a good vibe about the whole thing? Follow that hunch.

TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION: WALK IT OFF

The Sitch: You were going after a starter position for the soccer team. You doubled up on practices and worked really hard, but you didn’t make the cut for first string. Coach is offering you a choice: second string for the super-competitive team or captain of intramurals.

Check Yourself: Decision-making can be challenging, especially when a ton of emotions are swirling around the issue. Instead of going into a woe-is-me fit, take a stroll. That’s right, a good walk can help you release negative feelings and shift your mood. Better? Once you’re centered, weigh the issue. Captain or second string? You can’t go wrong either way when it’s all about playing your game and having fun!

TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION: WRITE AWAY!

The Sitch: Your school’s mean girl has posted some pretty snide remarks about you on Facebook. It’s nothing major, but it’s clear she’s trying to rub you. And it’s working; you’re steamed! Ugh, everyone is texting you about it. You want to handle this without creating more drama, but how?

Check Yourself: If you’re looking for a specific answer here, sorry, not happening. Learning to read your intuition is about solving your own problems, especially in situations as sticky as this. When life gets complicated, it’s time to grab your journal and get writing. It’s OK to plan fantasy schemes of revenge, but once you’re done venting that bad juju, jot down as many amicable real-life solutions as possible.

TAP INTO YOUR INTUITION: CATCH YOUR DREAMS

The Sitch: Your two best friends are spatting, and you’re stuck in the middle. And you feel like you and your BF are drifting apart. Oh, and your parents are turning a bedroom into an office and making you double up with your sister. Plus, you’ve got exams coming up! Seems like it can’t get any worse.

Check yourself: Ruh-roh! When things pile on at once, do not go into freak-out mode. Give it a rest, literally, by solving problems in your sleep. Your dreams can be like a whisper from a trusted friend: your subconscious. Decoding your dreams provides clues to cracking your life’s little mysteries.

You’ve pretty much got your school routine down pat by now -- so why are you still feeling so rushed in the a.m.? Even if you can brush your teeth and get dressed with your eyes closed, you can use these tips. Here’s our get-ready map to nix the last-minute scramble:

The Night Before

• Breakfast, check!
  Figure out your morning meal ahead of time and have everything you’ll need to prepare it handy. If you’re thinking cereal or oatmeal, grab the box out of the cupboard and place it on the kitchen counter alongside a bowl and spoon.

• Lunch, check!
  Packing? Make sammies, grab juices and portion out snacks in the evening. Stick them in your lunch bag and stow it in the fridge for a fast grab in the morning. Need lunch money? Ask your mom and dad for it beforehand and tuck it into your book bag.

• Outfit, check!
  Pick out your next-day school clothes before you hit the hay. Don’t forget to include outerwear, accessories and shoes. Neatly set them out or hang them up together for easy access. Even if you wear a school uniform, be sure you have matching socks and clean underwear.

• Book bag, check!
  Finished your homework? Grab all your books, papers, binders and pencils and zip ’em up in your backpack. Need any signatures from your parents? Get it done now! And if you play an after-school sport, pack all your equipment in your duffel.

• Shower, check!
  Get an extra 10 to 15 minutes of sleep by taking your shower at night.

The Morning Of

•   Wash up, check!
  Brush your teeth and wash your face, being sure to keep your beauty routine simple. A great product that offers light coverage and moisturizes in one fast go is tinted moisturizer. Another time-saving pick? Cream blush, which can be applied to both cheeks and lips to give your face just a hint of color. If you wear mascara, just go with one coat on your lashes. Finish it all off with a swipe of lip gloss to your pucker, and you’re all set!

• Hair, check!
  Stocking up on hair accessories like headbands, hair clips and scarves is a simple, fast and fab way to tame your mane in the morning. For more tips on hair how-tos, check out our sidebar below.

When you got your awesome new MP3 player, it came with a user’s manual. When you decided you wanted to bake your BFF a cake for her birthday, you looked up a recipe. Even your shampoo comes with “Wash, rinse, repeat” printed on the bottle. But -- so frustrating! -- there aren’t any instructions for your boobs.

Here, we answer your most baffling breast questions to make living with “the twins” a little easier. Consider this your go-to guide for all things boob-related!

When will my boobs start growing?
Early bloomers might notice “budding” around age 8, but your set can start growing any time between then and age 13. It typically takes three to five years from when your pair starts coming in to when you reach your final size. Still, some girls might feel like they grow a pair overnight, while others develop more slowly -- your boobs could even keep growing into your 20s!

What color are my nipples supposed to be?
Whatever color they are is the color they’re supposed to be! Once your breasts start growing, your nipples and the skin around them usually get a little darker, and the end result is different for every girl. (You might also notice a few hairs growing in that area -- that’s totally normal.)

Should my boobs be this sore?
Some ladies notice their boobs are slightly tender during the early days of blossoming and in the days leading up to a period. Usually, giving ’em some TLC around that time of the month (be gentle and wear a sports bra) is enough to avoid any pain. If you’re still super-uncomfortable, ask your doc if it’s OK to take a pain killer for it.

My boobs are pointy (or lopsided). What’s wrong with me?!
Nothing is wrong with you! Boobs come in all different shapes and sizes, especially when they’re growing in. They might be pointy for a while -- or be two different sizes -- and then even out by the time you’re done developing.

Can I do anything to make my boobs bigger?
Sorry, babe, but your cup size is determined mostly by the genes you get from your ’rents. You can’t swallow a pill or rub on a special cream and expect it to work like Miracle-Gro. Although, you might notice that your boobs change size when you lose or gain weight.

You’re having massive breakouts? Embarrassing armpit stains? Not sure if the pool and your period are a good mix? Yeah, your feminine hygiene catches a whole new wave when summer rolls around. Here, we help you navigate those choppy waters.

Summer Hygiene Lesson No. 1: Bikini Line Dance
When it comes to that spot on your legs that peeks out from beneath your bathing suit, well...there’s often some hair there. And shaving that sensitive area can be tricky at first. Try these tips:

1. Get into a shallow bath or shower -- do not attempt to shave while dry!

2. Lather the area up with a good fragrance-free shaving gel.

3. Spread those legs, or prop one leg at a time up on a ledge, and gently shave along your bikini line with a new -- never dull! -- razor.

4. Rinse your body (and the razor) with water, and pat your parts dry with a clean towel.

Breaking out along the area where you shaved? Those are razor bumps, caused by shaven hairs curling back and growing into the skin. Stop shaving until they clear up. If they don’t go away within a week or so, talk to your doctor about treating the area with hydrocortisone cream.

Summer Hygiene Lesson No. 2: Sweaty Pit Stop
Naturally, there’s no part of us that’s sweatier in the summer than the armpits! Of course, be sure to wash yourself daily. To avoid those nasty T-shirt stains, use a good antiperspirant (not just a deodorant). Carry it with you in a backpack or purse so you can reapply often.

If excessive sweating continues to be a problem, try dusting a little cornstarch or baking soda under your arms in the morning after your antiperspirant has dried. (Tank tops are not recommended with this method.) If you’re not shaving yet, this might be a good time to ask your mom if you can start, since underarm hair can increase sweat and odor.

Summer Hygiene Lesson No. 3: Swimming ... Period
It’s the question that every girl asks at least once: “Can I swim when I’m on my period?” The answer is yes -- if you wear a tampon. You cannot get into the water with a pad or no protection, as you risk leaving a trail of blood in your wake. Ugh.

If you’ve never used tampons before, talk to your mom or other parental figure about it. If you decide tampons are right for you, lock yourself in the bathroom next time you’re having a period and follow the directions that come in the box until you’re comfortable with it. Then, grab your bathing suit, jump into the pool and make a splash!