Here's a back-and-forth exchange with a Boston.com reader and Child Caring writer Barbara Meltz:

Question: I am 23, and my girlfriend has a younger brother who is only 8, so she's almost a second mom to him. I want to be a positive influence on him and tell him to work hard in school and be prepared to go to college, but his parents don't seem to place much value in that. I don't want to step on their ground, but I also don't want to see this kid go awry. Am i out of bounds?

Barbara Meltz: It sounds like you have a good relationship with him, and the best you can do is be a positive role model. That's a lot, by the way. When you spend time with him, talk about the things that matter to you and, if appropriate, what you admire about him, etc. He's still pretty young to be thinking about college, though. It's totally apporpriate for you to set a positive example and offer an alternative (to his family) view of the universe. But keep it age appropriate.

Question: I agree that he's young to think about it, and im not looking to twist his arm, but I want to put the thought in his mind because no one besides his sister has gone to college ...so I figure letting him know that the world is bigger than he knows can only be a good thing. But then again, he's not my son. All i can be is his friend who, like you said, gives him a different perspective.

Barbara Meltz: Yep, I agree. But here's another idea: depending on where you or his sister went to school, take him to an event at the campus, a sporting event or something that would be interesting to him. And if your schools are not nearby, find an event on some local campus that would be approrpiate. That would certainly expand his world. I admire you for showing this interest. It sounds like you genuinely like this child, and for that, he's lucky. Kids can never have too many positive role models in their lives.

To read Barbara Meltz's latest Q&A on Boston.com, click here. Barbara sits in again for questions on Monday, September 16 at Boston.com