Dear Advice,

I'm 16 and have younger siblings. It seems that with school,work and hanging out with my friends, I dont have time to spend with my family. I feel guilty. What should I do?

Dear Joey,
Ha, it seem like I wrote that myself! I am having the same problem lately. My family who used to come first, is slowly being replaced by seemingly "more interesting" things. I say that playfully because we both know that nothing could ever replace our families, right? Right. So here are some things you try to keep the connection with your family.
Even if your not around all the time, try doing something special for each of your siblings. It certainly doesn't need to be anything huge, but something that shows you care. Sometimes, I will leave little sticky notes around the house. Even if your sibling thinks it corny, inside, they really do appreciate feeling recognized. Kids are all about feeling special. So do just that, make them feel special. Do something specific for each one to show that you do remember them and ultimately love them.
If you know that you are going to have a day off of work, make sure that you get alot of your homework done before you get home from school. That will give you time to go home, and jut be with your family. They miss you! You don't have to do anything fancy. Maybe even play a video game with the youngins :)
And lastly, if you can't stretch your self to do any of those...Acknowledge the problem. Even by just telling your siblings, "Hey, I really do miss hanging out with you, but I have other priorities right now. Maybe when I get my next check, we could go get some ice cream?"
This lets them know that you still value who they are and also that hey, they might get ice cream! :) Who doesn't love that as a bonus?
Best Luck and Thanks for your message!
 
-The Advice Team
 
 
P.S, Buying a gallon of ice cream at Wall mart is WAYYYYY cheaper than getting a bunch of cones from Baskin Robbins ;)