FRIEND'S MOM IS RUINING HER BIRTHDAY

Dear Jellybean,

I'm 15 years old and I'm a huge concert-goer. I love going to shows and I used to go to shows with my siblings. Recently my two siblings both moved out and work a whole lot so I can no longer go to shows with them. I'm always stuck at home now. For my birthday I got two tickets to go to see my favorite band in concert! Awesome, right? Not awesome. My best friend was the only person who was able to go with me! My mom realizes that I am very mature and responsible and was going to let me and my friend go to this concert alone. Whenever my friend asked her mom, her mom said that I could only go to the concert with my friend if she (friend's mom) could come too. This is not fair and I have no idea what to do now! My birthday present is being ruined because of my friend's mom! I have no one else to go to the concert to and if I bring my friend's mom along with my friend, the whole night will be ruined because I won't be able to have fun. I'm very responsible and mature, but what can I do to save my only birthday present? I'm begging your help!
-Stacey, age 15

Dear Stacey,

Aw, things were going so well there. I think you should bite the bullet and invite your friend's mom to the concert. True, it's not the birthday you were planning, but if you don't invite her, then you won't get to go to the concert at all, and that would be awful, since it's your favorite band and you've been so looking forward to it.

Think of this night as a chance to prove to your friend's mom that you are all those things you said - mature, responsible, etc. There's no reason you can't have fun dancing to the songs, singing along, and being goofy. That's not against the law, and your friend's mom will have no reason to complain. Show her you're a good kid, don't get wasted and generally be nice to her, and maybe next time she'll let your friend come with you alone.

Have a great birthday - and try not to see this as ruining the day. See it as a slight compromise on an otherwise perfect night. And have fun!