Trust Us

Hello Guru,

I am 16 years old, and am studying in 10th grade. I trust 'Us' and appreciate the way you solve problems. My problem is related to my 12-year-old brother. He is arrogant, bossy and demanding. He keeps disturbing me and quarrelling with me all the time and his behaviour annoys me a lot. He also misbehaves with my mother. He passes rude comments on the food she cooks, saying that it's not good. He is a bully and fights with the boys at school as well. His plus points, however, are that he's intelligent and is good at his studies. I fear that his rude behaviour is going to ruin his life and as a caring brother I want him to focus on his good qualities.

Libra

Dear Libra,

It's good to know that you care for your brother, but don't forget that he is still very young. He's growing up and like a lot of other young kids he is also finding it difficult to adjust to his physical and emotional changes. He is going through a confused phase and that explains his grouchiness and rude behaviour.

Boys his age seek attention from their peers and this results in bullying others just to stay on top. This phase wears off in a while, but you being his older brother need to help him through it. Fighting with him is only going to create distances. Sit with him and try to talk his problems out. Understand the way he feels and if he pushes you away, give him his space. Stay on his side all along as he goes through certain rough phases of his life. Protect him and make sure he doesn't opt for a wrong path in life. Good luck!

Dear Guru,

I'm an 8th grader. My first problem is my school where the teachers are too hard on the students. Their harsh attitude is affecting my studies and health. This is causing me to lose my temper excessively. My second problem is that I always wanted to do O' Level, but our school does not provide O' Level education. My parents are unwilling to send me to any other educational institute of my choice because they believe that the change of school at this phase may not prove good for me. My third problem is that I lose every competition and that has lowered my self-esteem. I have lost debate competitions, poetry competitions etc. What's most upsetting is that I have dreams like having the title of "A young poet," and attaining the highest marks in class, but so far all my efforts have failed. What should I do?

Upset Dreamer

Dear Upset Dreamer,

There are many students going through the same problem as you are. Teachers are strict and harsh most of the time. All you can do is study hard. Allocate at least two hours everyday to your studies. Try to get good marks in your tests. Be active and vocal in your class and you will be in you teacher's good books in no time. Secondly, the decision taken by your parents is correct as they don't want you to study in a strange environment. O' Level studies are good, no doubt, but the course is extremely difficult. I advise you to stick to the Matriculation system as it's easier and will be of help in the future. Don't be disappointed if you lose a competition and continue working hard to do better next time. Good luck!

Salam Guru,

I am a 14-year-old girl. My problem is my height. I am 4 feet 9 inches and it's embarrassing for me as my sisters and friends are quite tall. I am a pretty girl and the only defect in me is my short height. I consulted a homeopathic doctor, but his medicine hasn't affected me. I fear I have inherited my mother's height (which is also 4 feet 9 inches). All I want is to increase my height. I know I have many years to grow but I'm fed up.

Depressed Sagittarian

Dear Depressed Sagittarian,

You are only 14 and generally the height does not stop growing until you are 20. Many people experience a sudden shoot in their height after the age of 16, so don't feel depressed. However, you should concentrate on consuming a healthy diet and increasing your intake of calcium and vitamins. Calcium makes your bones stronger and might help in increasing your height. Stretching exercises also help in lengthening the body structure. Your height may be inherited and in that case all you can do is to be happy with the way you are. As you said you are a pretty girl and you shouldn't let an issue as petty as this make you feel inferior. Believe in yourself and always feel beautiful. Good luck!

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