KAYE Townsend is a qualified, BACP registered, person-centred counsellor with a private practice in Flackwell Heath, Bucks.

She is currently writing a self-help book, write articles for various publications & work as a volunteer counsellor for a local charity.

Here she answers letters in her Bucks Free Press agony aunt column.

To contact her, email kayebt@sky.com

Dear Kaye,

My daughter seems to have chosen to spend her time out of school with a bad crowd. Her school friends are nice girls but she appears to have dropped them in favour of this group of older teenagers. This group hang about outside the village shop, intimidating passers-by, they smoke & drink & just generally appear to be loud & abusive.

She comes in late with a “don’t care” attitude to being in trouble & when she is grounded, she manages to get out anyway. I have to keep checking her bedroom to make sure she is still home. We live in a bungalow so climbing out of her window has been a regular occurrence.

I’m so worried that something will happen to her & I may not even realise she is out. Any advice would be appreciated Kaye.

Elaine, 35, Chesham.

Dear Elaine,

Kids are very curious & enjoy pushing the boundaries to breaking point. This could just be a temporary curiosity that your daughter has.

This group of teenagers may appear to be having the fun that she wants to experience & therefore is determined to spend time with them. How do you think she would react to you inviting these new friends in to your home?

Firstly, you would know where she is, secondly, by meeting them you can get an idea of what they are really like. They may not be as bad as you think.

You never know, a film at your house on a cold night might seem better than standing outside a village shop!

Good luck Elaine,

Kaye.