DEAR ABBY: I am a boy in middle school and have a friend I've known since kindergarten. We are good friends at school, but his mother seems to dislike me.
I have given this a lot of thought and cannot understand why she doesn't like me. I want to change her opinion, but I don't know how without making the problem worse. What can I do? -- MISUNDERSTOOD IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR MISUNDERSTOOD: You appear to be mature for your age. It's possible that the woman's attitude has nothing to do with you personally. Because you feel she doesn't like you, I think you should tell her how you feel and why, and ask her if you can change things.