DEAR HARRIETTE: I attend a camp that features a lot of young people of various ages. Recently, the directors of the camp have been integrating the age groups more. However, the maturity levels of the younger children are significantly lower than that of me and my peers. When the kids act up, we all end up getting punished, which isn't fair. I have tried to talk to the directors of the camp, but they aren't responding adequately. How can I bring it up again without sounding entitled? -- Tired of Kids, Cambridge, Massachusetts

DEAR TIRED OF KIDS: Do your best to schedule an appointment with the head of your camp. With a level head, explain what you think are legitimate concerns. Start out positive. Say how much you like the camp and appreciate the fact that they take in so many different students. Then point out that there have been some significant challenges in your group, which you believe stem from the wide variety of ages. Give specific examples of how you have noticed that the younger children have engaged in certain behaviors that have caused scolding from the counselors. Rather than dumping on the younger kids, point out that you and your peers don't have the skills to manage them. Point out that you also find it frustrating to be punished for behavior that you did not do.

Ask if you can be separated or at least managed by separate counselors so that the young ones are their responsibility rather than yours.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am a junior in college, and I have had a steady boyfriend for two years. He is a great guy. My boyfriend and I are currently apart for the summer, and he told me that he has occasionally wondered what it would be like to hook up with other people. He would never do it, but it made me feel a little insecure. I know it's normal to sometimes fantasize about other people, especially when apart, and the fact that he told me is a good sign. Should I be worried about my relationship? -- Wandering Eye, Racine, Wisconsin

DEAR WANDERING EYE: The fact that your boyfriend mentioned the idea of hooking up with others means that he is thinking about it -- seriously. You two are very young and have been a couple for quite some time. It would not be unusual for either of you to wonder what it might be like to be involved in an inconsequential dalliance.

The problem is that rarely is a "hookup" without complication.

I recommend that you talk about this with him directly. Tell him that it made you a little insecure to think about him considering hooking up with someone else. Ask him if he is serious about this, if he has done it already or if he thinks he might actually do it. Ask him if he thinks it might affect your relationship, and how he would feel if you wanted to do such a thing.

Without being the grand inquisitor, get him to talk about his feelings on the subject so that you find out where he stands. Honesty may be hard in this situation, but it is important to work through this as you navigate your life together.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have recently been spending time with people who are clearly out of my league. I met one woman on the beach a few summers ago when I was visiting friends. We liked each other instantly, and she has introduced me to her friend group. I totally enjoy spending time with them, but I don't even begin to know how to reciprocate. I feel weird inviting them over to my home, because it is tiny by comparison. I do have other friends over. I don't have a second home, a boat, a timeshare in the Caribbean or any of that stuff. I do have an interesting life, and these people seem to like me a lot. Should I just relax and be me? I know I should, but how do I show them how I live without turning them off? -- Feeling Less Than, Jackson, Mississippi

DEAR FEELING LESS THAN: Chances are great that your friends already know more about you than you think. They probably like you for who you are as a person and how comfortably you fit in with them wherever you find yourselves. If you think it is possible for you to learn to enjoy the moment that you are in, it will be easier for you to find ways to invite them into your world.

If you feel comfortable in your home, invite the one you like the most over for tea or drinks or dinner. Share your life with that friend and see how it goes. Honestly, though, it starts with you feeling comfortable with who you are. That comfort and ease will rub off on whoever authentically cares about you. Anyone else does not deserve a seat at your table.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been on a serious exercise routine for the past three months, and I feel good about being on it. I get up even when I don't feel like it and either do exercises at home or go to the gym. This is so new for me, I can't even tell you. I'm beginning to feel like crap, though, because hardly anything has changed. I know I shouldn't be getting impatient, but I see these reports from people saying how they took some pill and lost weight miraculously. I'm afraid to do that, but I really want to lose weight and get fit. Could I be doing something wrong? -- Frustrated, Chicago

DEAR FRUSTRATED: The best way to find out what you should be doing to reach your optimum health is to visit your primary health practitioner. Get a complete physical and ask about your exercise routine to see if it matches with what you need to achieve specific goals. Your doctor should be able to help you identify your ideal weight, body mass index, etc. You probably will need to alter your diet, and you may need to accelerate your exercise routine. Get professional guidance, and know that significant results often do not reveal themselves for a good six months. Don't give up. Make this a lifestyle choice, to become and stay healthy and fit.

DEAR HARRIETTE: It is so hot that I am finding it hard to go to work or do anything else for that matter. I know it probably sounds ridiculous, but I feel like I sweat all day long, from the moment I wake up until ... well, it doesn't really stop. I feel like my job is going to be in jeopardy if I can't get my act together, but I don't know how. OK, so I am overweight, but I'm not going to be able to lose a significant amount of weight during this season, so I have to figure out something else. I don't have enough vacation time to take the summer off. What can I do to be able to survive this season? -- Sweaty and Frustrated, Atlanta

DEAR SWEATY AND FRUSTRATED: You haven't said what type of work you do. But in general, I would start by recommending that you select a wardrobe of clothing that is made of natural fibers, like cotton and linen. These fibers can breathe and are easier to wear in the stifling heat and humidity. When you shower, end with cool water. Make sure, however, that you clean your body thoroughly with soap in order to prevent or at least minimize body odor. Consider lightly dusting your body with odorless body powder, which can help to cool you down during a hot day. Drink lots of water all day long. Avoid spicy food. Do your best to stay out of extremes -- either freezing air conditioning or outdoors in the elements. Attempt to stay cool by not getting too cold or hot.

I also recommend that you make an appointment with your doctor to review your medical history and determine if there are any underlying medical issues that need to be addressed that may cause excessive sweating for you. If your doctor will allow you to exercise, definitely get into a fitness routine, preferably either early in the morning or in the evening when the temperatures are more forgiving.

DEAR HARRIETTE: When I was growing up, I used to play board games with my family all the time. Now that I have my own family, I feel like all we do is watch TV or my kids are in separate corners playing on their electronic devices. I don't want to be that mom who gives in to the trends of the day, but it is really tough to get them to want to engage. And when I come home from a super-long day at work, it is hard for me to get enough energy to want to do anything big with them. How can I shift things for my family? -- Wanting to Connect, Detroit

DEAR WANTING TO CONNECT: What was your favorite game as a child? Start there. Introduce the game to your children when you do have energy. Invite them to play with you for a specific period of time. Suggest that all electronics -- phones, televisions and other devices -- be turned off during that time. Make the game a fun experience. Then invite them to play with you again in a few days.

You can also limit their screen time and phones on a daily or weekly basis. Introducing a fun alternative can make it feel like a choice rather than a punishment.