DEAR HARRIETTE: I'm about to enter my freshman year of college, and I'm already thinking about what I'll do next summer. My parents want me to get an internship to pad my resume for when it's time for me to get a serious job. However, I want to return to the sleepaway camp I went to as a kid and be a counselor. I figure I have the rest of my life to work, so why not have fun for one summer? I don't know how to tell my parents this, and I'm scared they'll be mad and stressed that I am at a disadvantage when getting a real job. What do you think I should do? -- Real World Too Soon, Greenwich, Connecticut

DEAR REAL WORLD TOO SOON: Take a deep breath. The first thing you need to do is focus on school. Your freshman year in college promises to be more challenging and very different from high school. Give yourself a chance to acclimate to college life and the rigors of your academic workload.

Talk to your adviser at school about your interests, and learn if there are any summer internship opportunities that may interest you. Keep track of the deadline for your summer camp. When you get closer to having to make a decision, discuss your thoughts with your adviser and your parents. You and your parents have valid ideas. I can tell you that any job experience that you can gain that is focused on your future life choices is wise whenever possible.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are seven months pregnant. As I get closer to my due date, I have found myself becoming more and more anxious about becoming a mom! I'm an only child, and I have limited experience working with kids. My husband assures me that once our baby is born, my maternal instincts will kick in, but I'm not so sure. I've always wanted and loved kids, but I have no idea how to be a mom. What can I do to make myself feel ready for my baby before he or she gets here? -- Expecting, Seattle

DEAR EXPECTING: You are in good company, my dear! Even for first-time moms with siblings, trepidation is common because it is hard to know what to anticipate. Talk to your doctor about any medical questions you may have. Identify a pediatrician so that you are ready for when your son or daughter is born. Ask that doctor as many questions as you can think of in order to get ready. A wonderful resource book I read when I was pregnant was "What to Expect When You're Expecting." It outlines in great detail what you should know from birth up to age 5.

Be sure to talk to friends and family members with children. Observe them first, though, to ensure that you are in alignment with the choices they have made. Finally, trust your instincts. Among you and your husband and your network of support, you will learn how to care for your child.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is graduating from eighth grade and about to enter high school. I remember what high school was like, and I don't think she's mature enough for those experiences. I don't want her to experiment with drinking or be promiscuous, but I understand it's a part of high school culture. How do I talk to her about all the new situations she will encounter without making myself seem too overbearing? -- Mama Bear, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MAMA BEAR: I hope that you began talking to your daughter about the ins and outs of growing up long before now. For all parents who are reading, know that you should begin conversations about sex, drugs, drinking and relationships when your kids are in elementary school, well before they are likely to experiment. It is then that you can most easily plant the seeds of your family's values.

That said, I recommend that you sit down and have a candid conversation with your daughter. Ask her about her hopes and dreams for high school. Ask her also what her fears might be. Find out whether any of her friends have experimented with drinking or drugs yet. Does anyone already have a love interest? Talk to her about the fact that these things often come up in high school. Have her tell you how she might react if presented with any of those options. Pledge to her that you will be there for her as she enters this next stage in her life. Let her know that you would like to be able to support her whenever she has a question or a need.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have two kids, ages 13 and 10. When the youngest was born, I stopped working and have been a stay-at-home mom ever since. However, I am extremely bored and unfulfilled. What am I supposed to do, clean the house every day? I want to start working again, but I feel the job market has radically changed since I was last employed. How can I put myself back on the job market and ensure that I am aware of the changes in the workplace that come with time? -- Housewife, Chicago

DEAR HOUSEWIFE: Start by writing a preliminary resume that lists all of the skills you have developed over the years. Include the strategic thinking that comes from being a mom. Consider going to your local unemployment office for support in crafting your resume so that it reflects your strengths in a marketable way.

Think about what you want to do when you re-enter the workforce. Consider volunteering at a business that does what attracts you. Building job experience through volunteerism is an effective means of buoying your skill base. You may also want to take classes in your field of interest so that you can learn whatever is cutting edge in that field. Then, get yourself out there and network. Meet people who work in your field of interest. Go for it!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter has been getting bullied in school. She just turned 11. She is a bit slow in school because she has dyslexia, but she is able to function well in a normal classroom setting. The other girls in her class often make fun of her because she is a slow reader and writer; they do not understand that she is learning impaired. The teachers have not been involved, and I am hurt that my daughter is so upset when she comes home from school. I have tried calling the school, but it has not been helpful at all. Should I go directly to the parents of these children? -- Upset and Worried, Manhattan, New York

DEAR UPSET AND WORRIED: Schedule an appointment with your daughter's teacher, guidance counselor and the principal. Get someone to respond. At the meeting, explain what your daughter's condition is and what support you need the school to offer her. Let the officials know that other children are ridiculing her and crushing her feelings. Ask them to be more observant so that they can support her during moments of bullying.

Find out if you can get an educational adjustment program (EAP) for your daughter that will provide additional help for her special needs.

If the school remains unwilling to help you, consider changing schools. Your daughter deserves to attend a school that will pay attention to her needs and help other students to be mindful. As far as going to the other parents, that is often tricky. Without the backup of the educators to help reinforce good behavior, it could easily turn into your daughter's word against their children's.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just finished my freshman year of college, which I found to be very academically and socially challenging. I had difficulty managing my heavy workload in all my subjects and often found myself finishing assignments at the last minute. I didn't do as well as I would have liked. I also found it difficult to balance my workload and social life. There were situations where I knew I should stay in and finish my work, but I went out to party with my friends anyway. I don't want to miss out on opportunities to hang out with my friends. For the rest of my college experience, how can I make sure I'm on top of my schoolwork, but also make the most of my social life? -- Work Hard, Play Hard, Tucson, Arizona

DEAR WORK HARD, PLAY HARD: As in school, so in life. You cannot do everything well if you do it all at the same time; it's all about scheduling and balance. Keep a carefully crafted calendar of your responsibilities. Write in studying time, especially for exams. Give yourself times that you can socialize as well. Then honor your schedule. While it may be fun to go to a spontaneous party, resist the temptation when you haven't finished your homework or you have a big test the next day. Reward yourself with playtime only when you deserve it. Yes, you will miss out on some activities, but in the end, you will be successful, responsible and happy.