DR. WALLACE: I'm a girl who will turn 13 in a few months, and I live in a family with three older brothers and two pretty good parents.

My brothers are very outgoing and athletic. They have many friends and spend a lot of time outside of our home. My personality is kind of the other way, as I spend more time at home. I have a couple of close girlfriends — who are very nice — but we only spend a limited amount of time together.

Lately, I've been wondering a couple things about what happens to girls' bodies, and I don't feel comfortable discussing it with my girlfriends.

I've been doing some research on the internet, but I would like to talk to someone. I'm too embarrassed to do it with friends at school or even at the counselor's office. This kind of leaves my mom as the only other resource, but I'm extremely embarrassed to approach her. She's nice, and we've always had a good relationship, but she's never gotten into detail about the topics I need to address.

Should I just get brave and bring this up to one of my girlfriends? I think that would be easier than going to the school counselor. On the other hand, I could keep it quiet from everyone at school and just talk it over with my mom, but I'm nervous about bringing it up with her. What should I do? — Shy and Embarrassed, via email

SHY AND EMBARRASSED: I believe you should approach your mother first. Tell her that you'd like to speak with her alone at her earliest convenience about a matter that is important to you.

Almost every single parent will make a quick accommodation for such a request. When the time comes, be direct and ask your mother all of the questions you want answers to.

Start by telling her that you were wondering who to talk to about this matter, and that you know you can always trust and count on her, so you thought it would be best to start with her.

Your mom will likely respond well, and she will do her very best to earnestly explain everything you would like to know. Don't hesitate any longer or overthink this matter. You'll soon feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders when the two of you have an opportunity to speak together openly.

OUR COUSIN IS FULL OF HOT AIR!

DR. WALLACE: I'm a teenager who has an outgoing cousin who lives a couple hundred miles away in the next state over.

Whenever he and his parents visit us, like they did recently over the holidays, he goes on and on about all the activities he's involved with, the plans he's making for college and how involved he is in his high school in various clubs, volunteer projects and after-school events.

And every time he and his family return home after visiting us, my parents will say to my brother and me that we should get more involved in our activities at our school!

But my brother and I are both doing just fine. We're good students who have good friends, and we're happy with our school life just the way it is.

Why do our parents feel it's necessary to compare our cousin's hot air with our daily lives, which are going quite well? — Beyond Tired of His Bloviating, via email

BEYOND TIRED OF HIS BLOVIATING: Every family seems to have at least one member with a personality like the one you've outlined here.

Many people who go out of their way to convince others about how busy, successful and diversified they are with their time are also seeking to build their self-esteem, which may be a touch subpar in some areas.

My advice is to take your parents' comments with a grain of salt. This means to take them in stride and not make a big deal about it. You can always say that you are happy for him and similarly happy running your own race at your own speed in your life — especially since you value quality over quantity when it comes to how you spend your time.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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