Dear Nurse Ansalong:
I'm 16 and I really like this guy, Justin, who's 18. We're the youngest two in our group of friends and, while my parents don't mind if I spend time with him, they would mind if they knew everyone else I was hanging out with was quite a bit older. This is the first time in my life I've ever had good friends or been in love, and I knew it was too good to be true. Now my mom is saying that, when school starts, I have to be home by 10. Right now I can be out till midnight and even that is kind of a pain when I have to leave before everyone else. I don't want to stop being friends with these people, especially Justin. But they're all in college and they can do whatever they want and I know they wouldn't understand. Now I can't play role playing games with them or watch wrestling like we've been doing all summer and I know I'll die if I have to go back to being all alone. What can I do? I love Justin so much and I treasure every one of my friends, but I don't see how! I can't possibly stay friends with them as long as I can't do anything at night!
-Too Young To Have Fun

Young, good friendships are hard to find. You might know a lot of people in your lifetime, but there could be very few that you'll be able to call a "good friend". From the way that your message sounds, it looks like you've got a great group there. I haven't met them, but I think that they'd understand if you couldn't stay out as late. I think everyone had a curfew during their teen years, so I think that they would be able to remember back. You could also talk to your parents about inviting Justin over to your house. Since you've said that your parents don't have a problem with you spending time with him, you could hang out with him but stillbe home by 10pm. See if they'd be willing to let you stay out late one or two nights a week. You might have to make a deal with them as a trade, but it would be a way to get out of the house a little longer. Other than breaking your curfew and getting yourself into more trouble, these are the only options that I can see for you.

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