DEAR HARRIETTE: I hate learning about politics. I find everything so repetitive and boring, so I just end up not keeping up at all on current events. This leaves me completely unequipped to participate in a simple conversation about today's state of affairs. I feel stupid not knowing basic things about modern politics, but I just can't bring myself to read the paper or watch the talking heads with any regularity. What should I do? -- Fox Snooze, Staten Island, N.Y.

DEAR FOX SNOOZE: We live in a democracy that exists so that the people can have some dominion over the policies and laws that govern our country. The system needs the people's participation.

I believe it is our responsibility to pay attention to what's going on in our national and local governments so we can insert our voice when needed. Is it always interesting? No. But it's not possible to hold onto the freedoms that we cherish without being willing to pay attention to what's going on in politics. To turn a blind eye to politics completely seems unwise to me.

That said, you don't need to watch all the talking heads or read every newspaper. I recommend that you pay attention to a broad range of media outlets, including foreign sources, so that you can keep abreast of what's happening in our world.

By the way, I believe the reason so many people choose not to pay attention is that they have the luxury of doing so. We live in a relatively safe country with many perks, including the general belief that we will not be in harm's way. Let's not take that for granted.

DEAR HARRIETTE: The gym and I have always had a strained relationship. Recently, however, I gained some momentum and was going nearly every day and working out for an hour. But I got a bad cold and had to stop exercising for about two weeks. Now I can't bring myself to go to the gym. How do I get my momentum back? -- Inert, Shreveport, La.

DEAR INERT: It is tough to restart an exercise regimen, especially if it isn't a natural part of your daily schedule. The good news is that you can drum up the energy to move your body.

If the gym seems too far to reach, wake up and turn on your TV to one of the many exercise programs that come on each morning. Or pop in an exercise DVD and get moving. If you feel like leaving your home, get up a half hour early and take a rigorous walk before starting your day.

Over time, you may find your way back to the gym, but the baby steps you take now will serve you in the future. You can do it. Get up, stretch, move your body. You are worth it!

DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a waiter at a popular family restaurant chain in New York City. One evening a pregnant woman and her husband asked to see a menu and to be seated. The gentleman ordered a Sprite, and his wife ordered a glass of white wine. I looked at the woman with a puzzled glance, because she looked like she was well into her pregnancy.

At that moment, I was not sure what the proper protocol was. I walked over to my manager and asked him if was OK to serve a pregnant woman an alcoholic beverage. To my amazement, he showed me the law that says we are allowed to serve alcoholic beverages to pregnant women.

Morally, I felt uncomfortable serving alcohol to my pregnant patron. How should I conduct myself when a pregnant woman wants to drink alcohol at the restaurant? --Puzzled Waiter, Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR PUZZLED WAITER: It is your responsibility as a waiter to serve patrons what they order. Your boss was right that it is not unlawful to serve a pregnant woman alcohol. It is also true that it is not recommended that pregnant women drink alcohol -- I'm sure you have seen the warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

I've done a bit of digging to learn about the effects of alcohol on pregnant women. Many health professionals suggest that moderate alcohol consumption later in a pregnancy could be safe.

The problem is, every woman's body reacts differently to alcohol. So is it wise for this woman to drink while pregnant? No. But it's not your place to deny her whatever she orders. The exception would be the same as it is for any patron: If she had seemed intoxicated, you would have had the right to stop serving her.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was recently asked to my school's senior prom by a senior boy. (I am a junior.) Traditionally, only the senior girls are allowed to wear long dresses, while the underclassmen wear shorter dresses.

I want prom to be special, and part of that is wearing a long dress, but I'm afraid the seniors will get mad if I wear the long dress. What should I do? -- Prom-plexed

DEAR PROM-PLEXED: You already know that the senior girls may be a bit uncomfortable that you are coming to "their" prom. The politics of prom can be ferocious.

You need to decide what your intentions are. Do you want to potentially upset or even insult these young ladies? If not, why not find a lovely dress that is shorter than a gown but that still showcases your assets? Then you will look beautiful without seeming to defiantly break the rules of prom at your school. There's no need to start a fight at a party!

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a 17-year-old girl. My mother and I have been arguing a lot lately. It seems like every time I see her, we get into a fight about something.

Recently, my mother complained that the smell of my perfume was giving her a headache. She says this about every perfume I wear. Or my mom gets mad if she asks me to do a chore and I don't do it right away because I'm doing homework or I already have plans or commitments. If I don't do what she asks immediately, I get grounded.

How do I stop this without flat-out avoiding her? -- Chored-Out, Scarsdale, N.Y.

DEAR CHORED-OUT: It's natural for teens and moms to have moments of friction and frustration. The best thing you can do is to realize that both of you have heated emotions about certain things. How you handle them is what's important. It helps to put yourself in your mother's shoes for a minute.

Your mother could be sensitive to fragrance, especially if it's new for you to wear it. You could apply less perfume or not wear it at all while you are at home. It also could be that your mother associates perfume with adulthood, and that the smell of it makes her uncomfortable about how you are blossoming into a young woman. If that's the case, your mother's reaction is more emotional than rational, and all you can do is ride it out. Over time, she may soften to the idea.

As for your chores: There's no way you reached 17 years old without knowing what your basic chores are. That means your mother shouldn't have to remind you of them or urge you to complete them. Even if she adds a chore to your schedule, do it. If you complete the task and then jump back into your homework or previously scheduled activity, you will earn a lot of respect from your mother, which will likely earn you more freedom. It really is worth it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my friends, whose daughter is very close to mine, recently hit a financial rough spot. The family needs to move to a different town to cut costs, and my daughter has been asking a lot of questions about why they are moving. Until now, I have been skirting the issue, but I have to tell her something. What should I tell my daughter so that I am not lying to her but also do not embarrass my friends on this private issue? -- Awkward, Seattle

DEAR AWKWARD: I think you should speak to your friend and ask for her wisdom. It may be uncomfortable, but I imagine your friend would appreciate being able to provide the narrative for what's happening in her life.

I recently talked to a woman at my daughter's school whose family is doing the very same thing. This mom explained to her children and to other friends that they were moving to make a lifestyle change. She made it positive, so everyone is excited for them.