How to

Hi Sandhya,
I love reading your columns because they offer such sane advice. So here's the issue I'm facing: I am 17 years old and I think my mother is the worst enemy for my budding love life. Every time I bring a girl home she insists that my room doors remain open, and after I fought to have that tyrannical rule overturned, she devised a new way of snooping on me, by walking into my room every 15 minutes with a tray of her delicious homemade kachories and samosas.

As a result, my girlfriends have begun to love her more, and I'm left piling on the pounds. Needless to say, no girl sticks around with me for too long, no matter how yummy the food, because other guys don't face the same problem.

Also, I hate the thought of having to lie to her and bring my girlfriends over when she's not home. What on earth should I do? Do you think it's time I have the talk with my mother?

Thanks,
Angsty Teenager

Dear A.T,
So what is it really that you want to do that can't be done in the 15 minutes before your mum walks in again? Also how many girlfriends are there?u00a0u00a0Just kidding. Yes, this is a bit of a problem so I'd say go ahead and have THAT chat with your mum. Obviously she will want to know what it is that you really want to do behind closed doors so you better be ready to get into that one. Your mum obviously seems concerned andu00a0 tad bit conservative so it might not be easy to deal with.

I'd advise you to handle it smartly because the last thing you want is an embargo on any girls coming home. That will be a bummer, won't it? Honestly, the way to approach this is by telling her that things would happen anyway, so you'd rather do what you want to at home rather than take it elsewhere.
u00a0
She might relent because at least that way she would has some control over you and exercise some quality control over who you bring home.Also, try not to bring ANY and EVERY girl home. Quantity control is good too and may ease your mother a bit.Goodluck, have a good chat and I hope it all works out for the best. If it doesn't, don't fret. What's the rush? Go easy, there's a long life ahead! Save some fun for later!

Love, Sandhya