DEAR HARRIETTE: My dad is a professional singer with 25 years of experience and connections I could not even dream of having. I admire all he does and want to pursue a passion similar to his. The only problem is, I don't even know where to start, and I’m nervous to ask him for help because we don't talk regularly. What do you think I should do? -- Aspiring Artist

DEAR ASPIRING ARTIST: This may be your entry point into building a closer bond with your father. Schedule a time to talk to him, preferably in person. Tell him how much you admire the career he has built and that he has inspired you to want to walk in his footsteps. Admit that you aren’t exactly sure what you want to do, but you would appreciate talking to him and learning more about the industry from him. Ask him if he would be willing to coach you.

One way to get your father to talk is to ask him to tell you stories about his life and career. People generally love to talk about themselves. Once he gets started telling stories, you will likely learn a lot about your father that you never knew before. Record video of your conversations if he will allow it. Since he has had such a long and full career, he may appreciate your documenting his story in this way.

As you are learning about him, listen to see what sparks your interest. In order for your father to be able to help you, even when it comes to introducing you to his connections, you need to have a sense of what you want to do. You have to get specific so that his introductions will count in terms of helping to open doors for you.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My 12-year-old brother came out to me as gay. I’m nervous about how other family members will treat him. Sometimes I want to tell him not to let anyone else know, but I never want him to feel that his sexuality is a problem. I’m just scared of him getting bullied and ostracized. Our father is very religious, and I feel that he may have a problem with my brother. He has made openly homophobic comments in front of him in the past. What should I tell my little brother? -- Protective

DEAR PROTECTIVE: Your brother came out to you because he trusts you. You are right to want to protect him from anyone who may belittle or hurt him, especially your father. Help your brother find support outside the home. Look for a gay youth center in your community. Look online for support groups for gay teens. Offer to be a sounding board for your brother as he explores his thoughts and feelings.

Be honest with him. You both know that your father will likely be harsh. Because your brother is a minor living in your father's house, your father’s potential reaction to your brother’s sexuality actually is a problem. That doesn’t mean it always has to be. Figure out who else in the family may be an ally. Determine whether there might be anywhere else your brother could live when he does reveal his truth. Help to set up your brother for success and safety before he tells your parents anything.

(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: My 14-year-old daughter has come to me with a troubling question. She asked me if it is OK not to like her body. I did not have a response because I was scared that anything I said to her could irreparably change how she views herself. What do you think I can say to my daughter to help her love herself again? -- Body Positivity

DEAR BODY POSITIVITY: This is the time to ask your daughter questions. Be gentle as you talk to her. Do not interrogate. Ask questions and listen carefully. Do not pass judgment. Just hear her and let her know that you are hearing her. Among the questions you may want to ask: How do you feel? What don’t you like about your body? Is there anything that you do like? Have you always felt this way? Did anything happen to make you feel this way?

Since your daughter is 14, chances are, her body is changing dramatically. She is an adolescent. Her hormones could easily be causing her to have mood swings that may be impacting her body image.

Think about how you felt about yourself when you were her age. Did you ever feel uncomfortable in your skin? If you can recall awkward moments, ask her if you can tell her things about your life. She may be able to relate to your stories as she considers her own.

If it seems that she needs more support than you have to offer, schedule a meeting with an adolescent psychologist who can help her work through her thoughts and feelings.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I think my neighbor is stalking me. Every time I go jogging in the morning, he happens to be going the same route as me no matter what time I go, and when I get home from work -- around 9 p.m. -- he always seems to be waiting for me at the front gate to smoke. Do you think this is just a coincidence, or should I take this more seriously? -- Neighbor Problems

DEAR NEIGHBOR PROBLEMS: Greet your neighbor pleasantly, but do not engage in extra or prolonged conversations. Alter your jogging route in the morning. If he detours when you do, take note. But you can also tell him when you begin your run that you prefer to run alone. Put on headphones to demonstrate that you do not want to engage. When you come home at night, say hello and good evening and keep moving.

For extra insurance, install motion-sensor cameras outside your door so that you can observe if your neighbor is snooping around. It could be that he is otherwise bored and finds you interesting. Keep alert. If his patterns change and he becomes more assertive, ask him to give you some space. You may also consider inviting another neighbor to buddy up with you when you run.

(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: My son is a junior in high school, thinking about college. He has a lot of grand ideas for his future, and he is very excited. We are told that this year he does not have to take the SAT in order to get into college. Because of COVID-19, this will be the second “test-optional” year for many colleges. But I am worried that if he doesn’t share his SAT scores, he may be overlooked. He didn’t do great on the test, however.

Otherwise, my son is a good student. He is focused and definitely wants to go to college. This year has been rough on him, though, and studying for the SATs was not his priority as it probably should have been. Should we pass on turning in those scores?-- College Bound

DEAR COLLEGE BOUND: Talk to your son’s college adviser at his school to find out the going wisdom about submitting test scores. What I have read is that the schools that opt into the test-optional policy truly are assessing in that way.

For years, there has been controversy over standardized testing -- throughout school, and especially the SAT and ACT. Many educators and community leaders consider the tests to be biased toward people of means. There is a huge industry built up around college prep testing that some consider to be primarily catering to people with disposable income. Bottom line: There are many questions about fairness surrounding these tests.

Since your son does not have to share his test results, you may want to consider all of the other things he needs for his application. Make sure he has stellar essays and excellent recommendations as well as an outstanding transcript. Talk to him about his ideas and help him become adept at talking to adults about his dreams. He should go on virtual and physical college tours, if at all possible. That’s where he needs to talk and present himself. Good luck.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I did a favor for a woman I know professionally, something for which I went way above and beyond. When I then asked her to do a favor for me -- something I considered to be much smaller -- she didn’t even respond to my request. I didn’t help her with the expectation that she would have my back later, but I did assume that she would be responsive to me. Crickets. How should I address this? -- Tit for Tat

DEAR TIT FOR TAT: Since this woman is not responding, I suggest that you do nothing for now. You should simply log in your memory that this woman was selfish. She sounds like a taker. Know that about her. If she asks you for something else, do not be so quick to agree.

When you next see her, you may want to ask her why she did not respond to your request. At the very least, she could have said she couldn’t do whatever you asked. Just know that she may not have even registered your request if her need for you had already passed. Sometimes people put blinders on, sadly seeing only what matters to them.

(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.)