HEY, CHERIE!
It is a new school year. School has been back in session for about two days and my parents are already driving me crazy. I am a girl who is starting ninth grade, and I have heard the lecture about how ninth grade counts and how I need to buckle down on my studies. I was always pretty smart but also pretty lazy. My parents think that I am going to blow off all my classes, but I'm not.
When I came home from school today, I found there is a new edict. The hours between 8 and 10 at night are going to be “no electronics” for everyone in the house. There will be no computer, no TV, no iPod, no iPhone, no DVDs, not even my electric piano. Those hours are for reading and for studying. They say it is a way to ensure that I will get my work done and will also be a good example to my brothers. They think this is fair because it will apply to them, too. If they want to watch a TV show or movie that is on then, they will burn it on the DVR instead of watching. Yes, that is impressive but the whole thing just seems stupid to me. Why should I get punished before the fact?
– Let Me Do It My Way!
HEY, LET!
Well, maybe prior performance has something to do with it. And I happen to think that this no electronics from 8 to 10 p.m. thing has possibilities. Imagine. Read a book! Read a newspaper! Maybe even write a poem! Hey, watch out! Your parents could start a trend. And with DVR, TiVo and even the good old VCR, no one has to miss an episode of whatever show. I wouldn't even mind if you watch your replay of “The Young and the Restless” at another time.
But I also want you to feel empowered. So go back to the parentals with this: you'll keep your grades at “B” or above. All your grades. Homework, quizzes, tests, all of it. The minute that you drop below a B, they can happily implement the no electronics 8 to 10 regime. You won't complain. This is called “putting the parents on the spot,” and I can tell you as a parent that it works. Call their bluff. Get the B's. Maybe someday you'll want the A's.
HEY, CHERIE!
My school has a liberal change-your-class policy in the beginning of the year. I am a girl in 11th grade. There is a 11th-grader guy who I think is hot, but I am not in any of his classes. Do you think it is stupid to change classes so I can be in a class with him? I'd really like to meet this guy.
– Ready to Change
HEY, READY!
No. It's not stupid. Did I just make a million readers upset?
Look, if it doesn't make any difference, why not? There are worse reasons to change classes. Just don't think that because you're studying “1984,” or how to dissect a flatworm or the imperfect form of the French verb etre that he's going to fall fully, madly and passionately in love with you. It could happen, yes. But it might not.
Cherie Bennett writes books for teens and young adults. Send e-mail to: family@uniontrib.com or write to her c/o Family, The San Diego Union-Tribune, P. O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191 and send a self-addressed stamped envelope for a personal reply.
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