Sure, you and your mother -- or aunt or grandma or stepmom -- might not always look at things from the same angle. Put your differences aside for a while and do a few simple things to let Mom know she’s an awesome parent!

1. Tell her a secret.
“My mom is always asking questions like a detective,” says GWD reader Laura, 13. “‘Who did you sit with at lunch?’ ‘Who are you talking to online?’ I feel like she doesn’t trust me anymore!”

It’s not about trust. She’s interested because she loves you. So give her some gab: You’re in control of what you wanna spill. But the more you share, the less she’ll pry.

2. Spin some cool tunes.
Turn your mother on to a new band or musician you love. Teach her a dance step (as long as she pinkie-swears she won’t do it in public!). Then, have your mom introduce you to some of her favorite songs from her teen years. Music is a great way to connect and find out more about a person.

3. Ask embarrassing questions.
Talking to your mom about female stuff can feel a little awkward, but your mom is such a good resource. Whether you’re having problems with your menstrual cycle or are completely confused about cramps, just keep it casual. Take a straight-up approach and start by saying something like, “Mom, how old were you when you got your period?” She’ll be glad you asked.

4. Make some artwork.
Take any piece of artwork you’ve done -- photograph, poem, painting -- and put it in a frame. (You can pick up an inexpensive frame at discount stores.) Moms love handcrafted presents from their kids -- no matter how old you are!

5. Give her a journal.
Buy a blank diary, and on the first page, write a message of gratitude for something your mom has instilled in you through the years: “Thank you for teaching me the value of hard work” or “Thanks for always believing in me.” Every time she opens the book, she’ll be reminded of how much she’s loved and appreciated.

6. Hang out with her.
Make some plans with your mom. Check your local paper for free activities, such as community sporting events or outdoor music festivals. Or have a mother-daughter slumber party: Give each other manicures, pedicures and facials. Fun!

Need a little help on how to, un-complicate “The Date”? Even if you don’t feel quite ready yet for your first date … you can tuck this stuff away for later.

“I’ve had lots of crushes but never a boyfriend. Is that normal?”
Maybe you’re still a little uncomfortable with the idea of going out with a boy, perhaps your parents won’t allow it, or it just so happens you haven’t been asked out on a date yet. Whatever the deal, there’s no “normal” age to start dating. If you think everybody is doing it, not so! It’s far better to wait until you and your parents have full confidence that it’s the right time. For now, you could hang out with boys and girls in groups. Why rush it?

“My crush asked me to the school dance, and my parents said I can go! What should I expect from my first date?”
You’ll probably have a much more pleasant date if you don’t have any expectations other than to be treated with respect. Once you’re out, just chat him up like you would a bud. This is simply a chance to get to know each other a little better. Sure, he’s cute and all -- but maybe you’ll figure out you two are better off keeping it in the friend zone. Or you could find you’re ready for an official boyfriend. Either way, dating isn’t nearly as nerve-racking as final exams so just relax and have fun.

“Shouldn’t I pretend to be into the same stuff he’s into so he’ll really like me?”
No! Don’t fake it. If you really are into what he likes, then sure, say so. Otherwise, it’s totally OK to have different interests, so be who you are. That said, it’s also fine to learn more about what gets him stoked if you have a genuine desire to do so. (e.g., “No, I’ve never played that video game, but maybe you could teach me!”) And never sell yourself short. Go right ahead and take his character down if it turns out you’re a natural at virtual martial arts. If a guy is intimidated by your strengths, that’s too bad for him.

You had a major crush on him for months before he finally asked you out. You became inseparable, and you couldn't have imagined yourself without him.

Now? Something has changed, and you can't imagine your life with him. Hard as it is to believe, you want out of the relationship you worked so hard to get into. So how exactly do you go about breaking up with a BF diplomatically? Here’s our step-by-step guide:

1. Make sure you’re sure.
There’s no guarantee he’ll take you back if you change your mind about this, so you’d better be darn certain this is what you want before you go breaking it off. Is there something in particular that makes you unhappy in the relationship? Some problems can be worked out, like if you want to spend more time with your friends. Other problems, such as his insane jealousy, aren’t so easily solved. Once you figure out what’s wrong, decide if you want to fix it or end it.

2. Be a girl with a plan.
If you definitely want to go through with it, you’re going to have to break the news to your boyfriend. So plan out when and how you're going to tell him. If you're super-peeved at him (say, you heard he made out with your friend), it's best to sit on it for a few days until you’re calm.

3. Give him face time.
Although you could tell him over the phone or by email, talking to him in person is kinder and more respectful. Meet in a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. Do not break up with him at a party or in a crowded restaurant. Being part of a humiliating scene only looks cool on TV.

4. Spit out the truth.
Be honest and direct. Make it clear that you want to end it. Don't give mixed messages that keep him holding out hope. There's no need to explain yourself or place blame. Remember, this is someone you cared about once, and even if you think he's a jerk right now, he still has feelings. All you need to relay to him is, “This isn’t working for me, and I’m moving on.” Then do just that -- move on.

How far would you go to have others think you’re cool? Would you steal from a store? Pull a cruel prank on a teacher? If you’d take risks and behave in ways you normally wouldn’t just to follow the pack, that’s caving in to peer pressure.

What’s the Big Deal?
You’ve heard the term “peer pressure” since third grade. Before you even understood exactly what it meant, you knew it was some force that had a profound impact on your well-being. Peer pressure is the influence your “friends” exert on you, and recent reports blame it for everything from body piercings to school shootings.

Not all peer pressure is negative. The people you hang out with shape your personality. Girls who have a supportive network of friends are less likely to suffer from depression. If your friends play sports, eat right, do well in school and are involved in community service, chances are, so will you. If they don’t smoke or do drugs, chances are, neither will you.

Combating Mean Girls
In-your-face peer pressure can cause even the strongest teens to consider risky behavior. More than 70 percent of girls in a recent survey said they’ve seen clique members act mean toward outsiders. Whether you’re tempted (“Come on, it’ll be fun ... we’ll never get caught.”), taunted (“What's the matter, your mommy says you can’t go?”) or threatened (“If you were really our friend, you’d come with us.”), there are ways to handle the pressure:

• Ask lots of questions The answers will help you determine the level of risk involved and will also put the other person on the defensive, which places you in a position of power.
• Consider the consequences Getting grounded? School detention? Your conscience? Contrary to what they're telling you, everyone is not “doing it” (no matter what it is).
• Practice saying no When you have to say it, don’t trip up. The more certain you are of your no, the less people will bother you.
• Get away from the pressure zone If you know what's about to happen -- maybe a conversation bad-mouthing a friend of yours or an invitation to a place you're not comfortable going to -- make a quick exit.
• Be your own best friend There is no feeling greater than standing up for yourself and learning to be your own person. True friends like you for who you are, not for who they want you to be.

Do your parents expect you to work hard, study harder, dress a certain way? Do they think they can even pick your friends? Negotiating with your parents to loosen up a little is a skill, so here, we show you how to take the pressure off.

“How Can I Get Them to Listen to Me?”
There’s nothing wrong with disagreeing with your parents. In fact, it’s a necessary part of establishing yourself as a separate and unique person. Rather than criticizing their position, let them know how you feel. If you can’t seem to get your point across by talking to them, try writing a note or email. Giving them time to process what you have to say could make all the difference.

“My Parents Are Way More Lenient With My Brother”
We won’t argue the notion that many parents keep a tighter rein on daughters than sons. Maybe it’s because girls are more often victims of abuse or are more likely to experience depression. So make sure your parents know you understand the dangers. Listen to their reasoning … and compromise.

“Why Won’t They Let Me Make My Own Choices?”
Even if you don’t quite buy that their fears are legitimate, the best way to get your parents to be less protective is to ask them for a chance to show that you are responsible and can make smart decisions. Assure them you will ask for help if you’re ever unsure about what to do. Show maturity by letting them know you respect their advice and guidance.

“I Don’t Want to Constantly Be Under Their Watch!”
If you want your folks to let you, say, go to the mall with your friends, you should be familiar with the following safety precautions:

1. Never talk to strangers -- no matter how cute they look or nice they seem.

2. Always have at least $10 in cash on you and don’t spend it on candy -- this is “in case of emergency” money.

3. Be sure your cell phone is charged. No cellie? Have change for a pay phone.

4. Choose a time and spot to get picked up, and be punctual! If your parents pull up to the mall entrance, and you’re not there on
time? Well, game over.