Dear Janais: 

  I am the mother of a 22 year old daughter.  She didn’t go to college but she has a full time job.  I want her to start paying rent but she complains that she never has money.  She also uses my car and never pays for gas. My daughter spends all of her money on shopping and going out with her friends. How do I get my daughter to become more responsible with her money and get her to pay rent?

Dear Mother:

  Your daughter is still young so she has time to change but you should sit down and have a serious talk with her.  Explain to her if she doesn’t pay for rent then she will have to move out.  If she won’t pay for gas then you don’t need to let her use your car.  Maybe you can convince her to save her money so she can buy her own car.

Dear Janais

  The holiday season is coming up.  My boyfriend and I have been dating for two months.  We want to buy each other gifts for Christmas. I know he is going to buy me an expensive gift.  I don’t want to spend a lot of money on a gift because we haven’t been together that long.  How do I tell him not to spend that much money on my Christmas gift?—Anonymous

Dear Anonymous

  You and your boyfriend should just sit down together and have a serious talk.  Both of you should agree with an amount of money that you want to spend on each other. This way the gifts you buy each other will be equal amount.

  I bought my five year old daughter a puppy for her birthday two months ago.  She loves the dog.  We have tried to train the puppy but it didn’t work.  The puppy has destroyed my furniture, clothing, and he scares my neighbors.  I’m going to get rid of the dog.  How do I explain this to my daughter?—Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

  You should tell your daughter that you’ve tried everything you can do to keep the dog but things aren’t working out. Try to give him to someone you know so maybe your daughter can visit the dog. You could also continue try to train the dog. Whatever you do remember she is still young so she will get over it quick.

  My nephew spends all of his time watching tv. He doesn’t get much physical activity and Im worried about him.  He has gained 20 pounds in three months and he is only 10. I have tried to tell his mother to help him but she hasn’t. What should I do? --Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

  You could take your nephew out a couple of times a week to get some exercise.  Help him find something else that he likes to do besides watching tv.  He probably spends all his free time watching tv because he hasn’t found anything else that he is interested in.