DR. WALLACE: I'm a junior in high school, and I've noticed something going on within our family that I feel might develop into a problem.

My mother has recently started a small business with a close friend of hers. My father travels a lot for his work, so he's often not in our home area, and when he is, he works late hours. Previously, my mother kept a pretty close eye on my younger brother, who recently turned 12. She would monitor where he was going and who he was inviting over. But now that she's gone a lot, my brother tends to be home alone. He's a good kid, but over the last few weeks, I've overheard a few of his conversations with his friends, and they don't sound too appropriate, if you catch my drift.

Should I say or do anything at this point, or just loosely keep an eye on him the best I can? I have a busy schedule, given that I play on a sports team and am part of a study group, so I'm not always here at home to keep an eye on him. — Worried About My Younger Brother, via email

WORRIED ABOUT MY YOUNGER BROTHER: My advice is that you do immediately say something to your mother. Don't embellish anything or speculate on what you think your brother may or may not do in the future. Simply let your mother know right away exactly what you heard and have noticed that makes you uncomfortable.

Providing guidance and overseeing your younger brother's activities are responsibility of your mother and father. If you have a bit of free time in your schedule, you could let your mother know when you can be available, but she either needs to coordinate his activities more closely or find a trusted family member or other adult to keep an eye on him.

Informing your parents right away is doing the right thing for everyone involved, especially your brother.

MY AUNT MADE ME QUESTION MY EATING HABITS

DR. WALLACE: I'm a girl who is presently a sophomore in high school, and I'm very tall and thin for my age. Fortunately, I'm pretty coordinated and I play on two sports teams, basketball and varsity volleyball.

I'm lucky that I can eat basically whatever I like because I never seem to gain any weight. I do indulge with a few snacks here and there that would not be considered overly nutritious, but the rest of the time I'm eating a pretty healthy diet because I take my sports training seriously.

Recently, my paternal aunt visited us from out of state. She's a great cook and eats all kinds of fattening meals. She could stand to lose a few pounds, but she often says that she doesn't want to limit her enjoyment of the great food that she's quite talented at making.

She stayed with us for a few days, and my parents let her cook all the meals. She kept badgering me to eat more and more, saying that I was far too skinny and that I looked unhealthy. I ate her food, but I didn't eat a huge second plate, and she seemed to be a little bit miffed. I didn't say anything, but I was amazed at how unhealthy she felt that I was! She even used the term "pre-anorexic" when she discussed my weight with my mother! Is there any chance that I'm even slightly unhealthy, based upon what my aunt said? — Happy As I Am, via email

HAPPY AS I AM: Your aunt is way, way out of line! It's great that she knows how to cook quite well, and if she chooses to pack on some extra pounds because she enjoys gorging on her cooking, that's fine, as it's her personal choice. But to talk down to you about not eating a huge second helping of fattening food, and using the term "pre-anorexic" within earshot of you is beyond disrespectful.

Fortunately, you mentioned that she lives out of town, so I trust by now she's either gone or is soon to leave your area. Don't think too much about her words, and keep living your life the way you've been living it. You sound quite healthy to me! Everyone has a different body style, metabolism and unique set of DNA that dictates various things regarding our physical appearance. You should feel comfortable celebrating yourself, so carry on exactly as you have been doing so successfully before your aunt's rude comments.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Chad Montano at Unsplash