Dear Dr. Clara:

My father recently married a young woman who is five years younger than me. To make things worse, they are trying to have a baby when my father is already a grandfather. They claim they are in love, and they go around smooching in public and in front of me, and I find this incredibly embarrassing. My father insists that I spend time with my new stepmother, but I really don’t want to. Please tell me what to do. I love my father, and I don’t want to lose him.

> Hating my stepmother, Jasmine

Dear Jasmine:

Unfortunately, you cannot pick and choose your stepmother. Your father has every right to marry who he wants to, as you do. So, if you don’t want to lose him, give his new wife a fair chance. Get to know her. Instead of seeing her as your stepmother, think of her as a friend and find out what kind of person she really is. Take advantage of the fact that you are close in age. Who knows, you might gain a friend. I know the situation is awkward, but staying angry will only make you grow apart from your father, which you don’t want. So support and love him and stay close. These days, families come in all different sizes and shapes.

Dear Dr. Clara:

My boyfriend has a long, bushy beard, and it really bothers me. It’s messy and dirty and I am totally turned off by it. I don’t even want to kiss him any more on those rare days when I can actually find his lips. But he insists on keeping his beard, and it has become a major issue for us. I want my boyfriend to have a clean-cut look and a face I can kiss. Is this too much to ask for in a man?

> Living with ZZ Top, Sara

Dear Sara:

I think a man has a right to wear his beard any way he likes. But I also think his girlfriend has a right to kiss his lips rather than his bushy beard. I would suggest that you try compromising. Suggest that he trim his beard, at least enough to see his lips. If he’s not willing, honey, it’s time to go find yourself a man with a nice smooth face where his lips are exposed and beckoning for your kisses.

Dear Dr. Clara:

My 13-year-old daughter insists on wearing very revealing clothes that expose her belly button, her buttocks and her breasts. She refuses to wear a bra, and often you can see her nipple through her tight shirts. She also wears too much makeup, high heels and fishnet stockings. She literally dresses like a hooker, and it’s costing me a fortune. When I try to tell her not to dress so revealingly, she gets angry with me and just takes the money. I don’t know what to do any more. Please help.