DEAR HARRIETTE: My son is getting in a lot a trouble his senior year of high school. He goes to a boarding school hundreds of miles away, and I have gotten calls and emails about him talking back to teachers, pulling pranks and missing practices. I don’t know what could possibly be going on, but I know that he needs to adjust his attitude. I have worked very hard to give him this education, and I cannot stand to have him kicked out of school with mere months left. How do I get “David” in the right lane? This could jeopardize his future college career. -- Frustrated Father, Dallas

DEAR FRUSTRATED FATHER: You need to go to the school and see your son. With your own eyes, observe his life, his room, his friends. Talk to his teachers and coaches. Schedule meetings so that everything is organized. Set up a meeting with the campus psychologist to get an evaluation of what’s going on with your son. If this behavior is sudden and extreme, chances are something happened to precipitate it. Do your best to find out what’s going on.

Talk to your son about his life. Gently try to get him to open up so that you learn what’s happening. Remind him that he is almost finished with school. He needs to perform well, grade-wise as well as behaviorally, in order to have a good chance of getting into the college of his choice. Monitor him from a distance by staying in touch with members of the administrative staff.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just underwent surgery, and I am in a horrible mood. I hate being immobile, I hate having to rely on someone and I hate that I am expected to be recovered by July. I need help doing everything from walking up the stairs to cooking food. My morale is incredibly low, and I can tell this makes people want to spend time away from me. How can I find light at the end of this tunnel? I can’t handle losing my mobility and my friends. -- Hurting, Boston

DEAR HURTING: The key here is that you just underwent surgery. Give your body some time to heal a bit, trusting that it will get better. The first few days and weeks after surgery are often tender and do require support. To the best of your ability, be cordial with everyone who helps you. Admit that you are having a hard time with this loss of mobility. Thank them for being willing to help you. Apologize for your bad mood.

Pick something to pay attention to each day that brings you joy. It could be reading a book or eating fruit or writing in your journal. It could even be watching a comedy on TV. Do your best to avoid sad stories right now. Choose to pay attention to uplifting things to help support a better mood.

Stay in touch with your doctor and explain your mood. If it does not improve soon, you may be given temporary medication to help you. Let your doctor guide you medically. Spiritually, you can pray, meditate and choose to believe that you will get better -- because you will!

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was recently caught snooping for the prenuptial agreement of my father and his new wife. My father caught me on his computer sifting through his legal documents, so what I was looking for was obvious. He didn’t demand an explanation, and I just left the room because I didn’t want to explain myself.

Should I ask my father to speak about this with me, or is it none of my business? I want to know because his last wife took half of his estate. -- Safety First, Denver

DEAR SAFETY FIRST: Given your father’s history, it may be a good idea for you to address his situation with his new wife upfront. Ask your father if you can have a candid conversation with him. If he agrees, express your concern about the safety of his resources. Make it clear that you don’t harbor any negative feelings about his new wife, but since he experienced such a huge loss with his previous wife, you want to make sure that he is properly protected. Ask him if he made a prenup with her. You might also suggest that he speak to an attorney to make clear how he can handle his estate now, even after he is married. This should include whatever your father intends to share with you.

If he refuses to talk about it, back down. But make it clear to him that you are looking out for his best interests, and that’s the only reason you are bringing it up.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend, "Luisa," moved into my apartment while looking for a place of her own. Although she promised me that she’d be with me for only a few weeks, this has turned into two months. I don’t mind her living with me, but I think it’s time to negotiate rent. How can I tell Luisa that it is time for her to start paying? -- New Roommate, Jersey City, New Jersey

DEAR NEW ROOMMATE: Call a meeting with Luisa when you have time to talk. Ask her when she thinks she will be moving into her own place. This is important in establishing a timeline that you can attempt to hold her responsible for honoring. Next, point out that she initially asked if she could stay with you for a few weeks, and this has extended to two months.

Let her know that if she thinks she will need to stay more than another week, it is time for her to split the rent with you. She may balk at this requirement. If she does, tell her that you understand this is a difficult time for her, which is why you let her stay with you temporarily. Clarify that while you did not invite her to live with you, you have welcomed her into your home. At this point, she is more like a roommate. While she stays with you, she needs to contribute to the household expenses, including rent. This is not an unreasonable request.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am the mother of a boy and a girl who are close in age. During holidays, I find that I receive pretty sexist toys for my children from my family. For example, "Josh" will receive cars and toy guns, while "Alaina" receives kitchen sets and dolls. Their Easter baskets were even gendered to make sure a girl does not receive blue candy!

How can I address this issue with my family? We are grateful, but I just don’t want my children to absorb these gender stereotypes. -- Pink Is for Everyone, Baltimore

DEAR PINK IS FOR EVERYONE: You have to speak up in order for your family members and friends to know where you stand on gifts. First, though, talk to your children to see what kinds of gifts they would appreciate most. Speak to them individually so that each child feels free to tell the truth. Then, when you communicate with loved ones, you can share your general concern about gender bias with the gifts they have been giving, and then add specifics about what your children have said they like.

You should also know that gender bias is often unconscious. Our culture has prescribed that boys and girls should be attracted to certain things and activities for generations. It may not be easy for your loved ones to change. What is most important is that you teach your children to feel comfortable expressing themselves as the unique human beings they are, even if their interests do not fall along traditional gender lines.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I work at a restaurant with counter service only. In my short weeks working here, my manager has begun to comment on my looks and put his hands on my waist. I complain about this to my friends, who are also 18, and they tell me to quit. I need the money, but can’t stand the harassment. Also, part of me wants to make sure he won’t harass other girls who work at this restaurant. Should I go on a quest for justice, or just quit and try to find a new job? -- Paws Off, Brooklyn, New York

DEAR PAWS OFF: This is an unfortunate and common occurrence in the workforce, particularly for young people. Your boss’s behavior is inappropriate and unlawful. Sadly, there is a chance that you could lose your job if you speak up. But this is one of those times that your voice is incredibly important.

The next time your boss touches you, ask him not to do that again. Tell him that it makes you feel uncomfortable for him to make comments about your appearance and, more, to touch you inappropriately. Point out that you thought this would be a great job for you and you would like to stay working there, but you do not think it is fair for him to treat you in this manner.

Chances are, your boss will be surprised. He is likely banking on your youth being a deterrent to you being able to speak up for yourself. I also recommend that you look for another job. You may never feel completely comfortable there, given your boss’s proclivities. Unless you are prepared to sue and go the distance with him in court, make a plan for departing, but not without letting him know how you feel.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)