DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm a 26-year-old woman, and I think it is time for me to move out of my home. I feel like I am in a good space in my life because I just finished obtaining my real estate license, I have a job and I have a boyfriend who I am absolutely crazy about. I am also a songwriter, and I am working on my first album. Despite all of this, I do not feel like an adult at all because my mom and dad have guilted me into continuing to live at home. I asked my cousin if I should move out of my parents' home, and he told me not to move because it would be a wonderful way to save money. I want to live on my own, but I see the advantage of staying home and saving my money. What should I do? -- Want to Leave the Nest, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR WANT TO LEAVE THE NEST: Follow your heart with a strategy. You are definitely old enough to live on your own. (I moved out at 18 to go to college and have been on my own ever since.) Saving money is important in your life, but there is no reason to think you have to stop saving when you move.

Instead, make a plan. Find an apartment that you can afford. You may need to have a roommate to split expenses. I would not start with your boyfriend as a roommate. Find a neutral party with whom you can learn to share household duties. Make a budget so that you save something each week. In this way, you will continue to build a savings while also learning to be an adult without parental supervision. You can do it.

Dear Harriette: I like my wife's cooking, but she makes too many dishes where alcohol is included in our meal. She made beer-battered fried chicken Monday night, penne in vodka sauce Tuesday night and salmon prepared in a white wine sauce Wednesday night. For dessert we will have a rum cake, strawberries soaked in wine or an amaretto cheesecake. She tells me I will not get drunk because the alcohol will burn off while the dish is being prepared. This is a strange cooking phase for my wife, and I would like her to stop cooking with so much alcohol. How should I address this issue with her without making her feel bad? -- Burning Down the House, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE: It sounds like your wife is reading a cookbook or maybe saw a show that inspired her to learn how to cook with alcohol. She is right, for the most part, that much of the alcohol does cook off when items are fully cooked -- but not all.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, the cooking time and method of cooking have a lot to do with how much alcohol evaporates from a dish. Tell your wife how much you are enjoying her expanded menu and that you would like for her to use less alcohol on a daily basis. For more on alcohol evaporation, go to drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400900/Does-Alcohol-Really-Cook-Out-of-Food.html.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter's friend came over for a play date, and the two of them had a great time until it came time to eat. I had already been cautioned that she can be a picky eater, but this was ridiculous. I made a simple meal with baked chicken, pasta and kale. She looked at her plate -- stared at it really -- and basically refused to eat. I coaxed her into at least trying the chicken. She finally ate some of the pasta, but eventually she took out a cheese sandwich she had brought from home to eat. I know that children can be finicky, but I really thought this was extreme. My daughter wants to invite her back, but I'm afraid she will starve while she's in my care. How do I handle this? -- Can't Go Hungry, Detroit

DEAR CAN'T GO HUNGRY: Many children are picky eaters. In some cases, their parents enable them, and in others, no matter what you do, they just won't expand their palates. Work together with this child's parents. Talk to the mom or dad about her food choices and about what your meal planning will be. Ask for recommendations on what to serve her. Be willing to accept the cheese sandwich or other supplementary food items that the family may send with her. Your goal is not to be stressed out as you host this child. Don't take it personally that she rejects your meals. This is her issue. While you may be able to help her slightly break free from her limited menu choices, that is not your responsibility.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 10-year-old son's class is learning about human growth and development -- aka sexuality. Wow! I have already begun talking to him about some of these things, but the detail they are getting into is intense -- for me, anyway. I am not sure how to address some of the topics that come up. For instance, my son asked me to explain to him what "wet dreams" are. OMG! At 10, they are already talking about that? I want to support him, but I am having a difficult time finding the words. -- Speechless, Racine, Wis.

DEAR SPEECHLESS: Welcome to the world of puberty! What schools are wisely doing these days is introducing a curriculum about the human body, how it works and what to expect as you are developing as a pre-emptive, supportive measure rather than after the fact. I think it is brilliant that they are doing this, even as it can make for awkward moments at home.

Many children are entering puberty at 9 and 10 years old. Many of their bodies are developing, and they have tons of questions. Yes, parents should be talking to them about everything, but isn't it great that they don't have to do it alone?

To help you talk directly to your child in a way that your parents may not have done with you, there is a wonderful book that can help you. It is "It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health" by Robie H. Harris.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am fortunate enough to work from home, and I am able to be with my 2-year-old son. I love having my son with me throughout the day, but as of late, he has become a little tornado, destroying everything in sight, and it has become a distraction. I am not able to get any work done. I think I may need to hire a part-time nanny because I need to get my work done. What do you think is a feasible rate to pay a nanny for a part-time baby-sitting job? -- Having Second Thoughts, Syracuse, N.Y.

DEAR HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS: Two-year-olds are extremely active and do need constant attention. I caution you to stop thinking of your son in negative terms, like "a little tornado," because that superimposes negative thoughts on him. Instead, continue your line of thinking as to how you can support him and yourself at the same time.

You have a few options. Check out pricing for day care facilities in your area, everything from a traditional organization to a church-run facility to a mom-and-pop in your neighborhood. Sometimes neighbors -- with credentials -- baby-sit for small groups of children, and that may be the most affordable option. You can also investigate nannies, or someone who can come to your home and be with your child as well as take the child out to the park, etc. The fees vary widely, but generally the group drop-off business is more affordable than one-on-one. I read a report from your area that suggests that in-home child care would cost approximately $150 per week. See childcaresolutionscny.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/the-high-cost-of-child-care-what-does-child-care-cost-in-cny/ for more details. In general, hourly sitters cost $10-$20 per hour.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is 5 feet 10 inches tall. He is only 12 years old, and he wears a size 13 shoe. It takes a lot of money to clothe him. Because he is wearing adult-size shoes, I have to pay full price, ranging from $95 to $150, for a decent pair shoes or sneakers. In addition, I have to keep in mind that he is a pre-teen and his body is going through many changes. My wife says my son will not stop growing for a while. I need some advice on how I can teach him take care of his expensive clothing at an early age. -- Growing Leaps and Bounds, Baltimore

DEAR GROWING LEAPS AND BOUNDS: Less has to be more in your situation -- and should be for all growing children. Your son may be limited to one pair of sneakers and one pair of dress shoes because that is practical. Also, you and your wife should look for deals on these shoes. You do not have to spend that much to get a good pair of shoes. Many stores offer discounts. And you have to resist buying the premium brands. Even though children love them, his feet are growing too fast to spend $150 on such shoes.

Show your son how to clean and store his shoes, and remind him to put his clothing in the hamper for cleaning. Identify "play clothes" that you don't mind getting soiled or damaged.