Kidding around: my mom's best friend has a daughter who's 10, and I'm 13. She is too young to hang out with, but my mom makes me. I feel like I'm babysitting! I'm tired of playing with dolls. How can I let this kid know I'm not her friend without hurting her and our mothers' friendship?

Girls' Life, Dec, 2004 by Laura Sandler

In a few years, the age diff won't be such a big deal. Now, though, you're at different maturity levels. Tell your mom it's not that you don't like the girl--it's that you're into other things. If you still have to hang out, think of activities you both enjoy. Rent vids, make jewelry, or teach her chess. If all else fails, have a book handy. If a Barbie head pops in your lap, exclaim that you're just sooo involved in your novel. The end.

My sister and I like the same guy. She flirts with him, and she says he likes her and not me. But I think she's wrong. And she tells him embarrassing things about me. Should I get wrong?

It's pretty bad when sibs share more than a bathroom (you've seen Reese Witherspoon's first flick The Man in the Moon, right?). Even though it's tempting to strike back by "slipping" about the heavy-duty headgear your sister has to wear to bed at night, revenge definitely is not the answer. Even if the guy is amazing, you and your sis share a lifelong bond. So, before you go scratching each other's eyes out, have a heart-to-heart. Maybe it's time to find out for sure which sister this dude wants to connect with (maybe he sees you both as buds). Or perhaps you'll both decide to back off your mutual crush for now--that way, no one gets hurt.

My parents are divorced, and I live with mom. I don't see my dad much. I miss him and want to tell him stuff but, when I do see him, I feel shy. How can I feel comfortable around him?

It can be hard to open up to someone you don't see very often. Maybe you're a little hurt that you don't get to see your dad as much as you'd like to, or perhaps you never got the chance to fully express your feelings about the divorce. The Divorce Helpbook for Teens ($13.95, impactpublishers.com) has a chapter titled "What's New With You, Dad?" that addresses this awkward breaking-the-ice problem after a divorce. It might take a few silent moments and mindless small talk to warm the conversation before you can address the tougher issues, and that's OK. With some effort, you and your dad can keep your relationship strong.

I've known my friend for a long time, but she humiliates me in front of my other friends. When I talk to her about it, she acts like she hasn't done anything wrong. What can I do to make this stop?

It's not OK for your bud to reveal your crush to the entire caf or show off the bathtub scenes from your baby photo album. Is it possible your friend is humiliating you to feel superior? Some insecure people get a confidence boost by making others look silly. Talk to your friend once more. Let her know you can't hang with someone who says things that turn you red-faced. If she acts oblivious or doesn't make an effort to watch her tongue, consider cutting her loose. Ending a friendship can be painful, but why cling to a friend who humiliates you?

Got a question for Lucky? Send it to Ask Lucky, c/o Girls' Life, 4517 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214, or e-mail it to questions@girlslife.com.