This is your place to talk about what matters, like what kids and teens need from adults, what they have to contribute, what our country or the world needs...or whatever you want. Other kids will get to read what's on your mind. To write us, just click here. Be sure to tell us your age, your school, city and state or country. Then bookmark us, tell all your friends, teachers and classmates and keep checking back to see all that is new. Remember, this is YOUR site on the web, so contribute something.

What our readers are writing us and speaking out about:

Sara, 14, Lompoc,CA

A lot of you teens out there think you have the worst family in the world and always feel sorry for yourselves just because you mom told you to clean your room or something. Well guess what? You need to start realizing that even if your parents don't understand you all the time they're still there for you. But there are always cases like mine where that's not the situation.
My dad decided to go back to collage so we were faced with being poor for a while. He always seemed to be gone and I would go for days without seeing him. During this time my mom go mixed up with alcohol and soon became an alcoholic. She stayed out all night and wasn't around-I had the responsiblity of taking care of my brother. My mom was hospitilized several times for tring to kill herself. One of her attempts was right in front of me when she slashed her wrist. She claimed she was better. Soon she decided to take an interest in other men. We never saw her most of the time and it riped my heart out not only for me, but for my younger brother. All this time my dad was pretty much clueless to her affairs and was gone as much as her.
One day my mom decided life is just too hard and bought a gun and shot herself in the woods of a nearby lake. A couple days later some hikers found the body and reported it. At the funeral I didn't even cry because I felt like I was numb to the world and I felt dead inside.
Those couple years were the hardest in my entire life. And when I hear people say stuff like they hate their parents because they got grounded for staying out too late, I think of them as being lucky because their parents are just showing that they really care about their well being. So when you get the chance, stop and realize how very lucky you really are.
Right now I'm opening up a little at a time to my dad. It's hard for me to show love because I haven't felt love in a very long time. I still don't let my dad hug me or I won't come right out and say I love you because it's really hard after all thats happened. At least I can say I'm trying (unlike some people). jhess@utech.net

Ashley, 13, Jordan High School.

I would just like to say that this is one of the best web sites I have ever been to and when I get my own web site, I am gonna definitely make this one of my top 10 best teen links because I think this is just terrific! I also love your teen classifieds cuz i am always trying to find new pen pals! I would just like to say keep up the good work and bravo for doing such a terrific job with your site! keefers@mindspring.com

Dimitris Tentinis, 13, Tharopoulou School, Kavala, Greece.

Our teacher gave us your message through the INTERNET.I strongly disagree with those people who call Bridey's mother a mad woman and a bad mother (because of poverty).(Some)people of Eugene accuse your mother of not seeing you for many hours a day, too. But they make a very big mistake.They don't know why your mother does that.
She works hard because she wants you to have everything. Those bumper stickers which said "It takes a village to raise a child" hide a truth. People of Eugene don't understand that truth. I and my schoolmates do understand--and we ask them wholeheartedly to find your mother a part-time job with a bigger wage instead of gossiping about her (poverty).This message is not only addressed to you but those people of Eugene too! Dimitris email at thar.kav.forthnet.gr@forthnet.gr

Amensha Willix, 12, Jewett Academy Jr.High, Winter Haven,Fla.

I would like to know why did all those (Heavens Gate) people kill themselves in San Diego?
Email: angele@gte.net

Editor's Reply:
Dear Amensha:

There is no easy answer as to why the Heavens Gate people killed themselves. Sometimes, when people are looking for happiness in life...love, jobs, a sense of purpose...and it gets difficult, they look to other people for answers, instead of trying to find their own way.

There is nothing wrong in asking someone for answers or praying or asking in a spiritual way or learning from others.

But what these people seem to have done is looked to one person, their leader, for ALL their answers. They didn't believe in themselves enough. When you put all your trust in just one person, thinking they know EVERYTHING more than you, then maybe you lose yourself and your own identity.

What is important is to look for others help and advice, but also always believe in yourself and in YOUR OWN uniqueness as a person. Each one of us is special. When we think that one person, like the group leader in San Diego, is more special than we are, then we are in danger of following someone else...too much....These people lost themselves inside. Instead of living to be all they could be, they chose to take a chance on another life and someone else's ideas and beliefs....

We all need to help each other more, make it easier for each other, give and receive more love and caring AND, at the same time, believe in ourselves more.

Don Fass, Editor, YCN/Kidspeak

Chris McGraw, 13, Colony Middle School, Alaska

I am an intelligent student who never initiates physical violence against anyone. My problem is this: the government schools do not afford adequate protection against bullies. I have been told by the police that they really can't do much against other kids because they are too young. I have been told by the school that all they can really do is give bad kids a little vacation (suspension) when they act up.
An adult attacking another adult faces very stiff punishment, because the rights of adults are defended by society. Am I supposed to accept bullying almost on a daily basis with no means to protect myself because society does not veiw me as a full person? If society does not respect or defend me, why should I respect or support society?
I do not seek conflict. Why am I forced to suffer beatings and humiliation at the hands of violent morons? If anyone has a clear-headed suggestion as to how I may legally defend myself against bullying please let me know. I can be reached via e-mail at mcgraw@corecom.net.
Thank you in advance for your help.

Dear Kids from all over the world,

I'm writing on behalf of the students of our private English teaching school to let you know who we are and what we do. We live in Kavala,a town of about 70,000 people,in northern Greece, Europe.Students usually join our classes at the age of eight and they learn English for about eight years. I am the Head of Studies and my name is Annika Tharropoulou. As you can see our E-mail is under my name. However,each student in our school will be freely given the opportunity to be using this E-mail as often as possible,under their teachers' watchful eye and assistance. With this message we would like to initiate a promising and fruitful co-operation with all of you and ,simultaneously, express our warmest feellings to you and your teachers and parents,and the hope that our Greek students will add a little something to this glorious educational revolution which will definitely help new generation build a world of no frontiers.
annika@thar.kav.forthnet.gr BEST WISHES for your new academic year!!!!
Annika Tharropoulou

BJ Pinchbeck, Age 9.

My dad and I have a site that you may be interested in. Our site is called "B.J. Pinchbeck's Homework Helper". It is becoming quite popular and we have received 9 awards since we started our site in April. We have selected 230 terrific links to sites on social studies, English, Math, Science, foreign languages, search engines and other reference materials. I think you will like it.
http://tristate.pgh.net/~pinch13

My name is Jan leeli

I am 13 and go to Challenger Middle School in Glendale, Arizona. I believe that kids and teens need to help the enviroment. Not going all balistic,but try recycling!pick up trash when you see it on the ground!and don't waste paper or water.You can use both sides of a piece of paper.Make sure you turn off the water completely when you are done using it.Use sunlight,if you can,instead of electricity. Also see if you can car-pool more often so we can preserve our Ozone Layer.Then when we all work together this world may start to become a better place to live in. Remember,this is our world we live in it's up to us how it turns out! :)

Donyale Bryant, Miami Southridge School, Miami, FL.

I think kids need everything from adults. We need clothes, food, money, and other things. Not everything we need is material. Many things we need are mental and from the heart. For example, we need attention, love, and discipline. Discipline does not seem neccesarry, but it helps us out in the long run. We as kids could do our part by staying out of trouble, keeping clean, making good grades while continuing our education, and do everything we can to help our parents. The least we can do is obey them!!!!!!

Lauren Jackson, 12, Castle Heights MS, Rock Hill, SC

The thing kids and teens need the most from adults is some attention. If no one ever pays attention to a kid, they can get VERY angry. Paying attention to a kid lets them know someone cares and is there for them.

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