I need a few questions answered...

Im kinda new with this "Lucid Dreaming" thing... I've been at it for about 2 weeks now, but I've only had 2 so far and they were EXTREMELY short. I have a couple of questions I need answers to. Before I put down anything else, If you are going to explain anything...PLEASE do it in a simple way because some of the tutorials on this site is kind of confusing(please don't call me stupid...).

1. My sister,Wolf_Demon15, already asked a question about talking to her "Subconscious". I talk to myself on a daily basis(not out loud...unless no one is around to hear). When I talk to mine, I don't hear anything. Also I ask her to remind me of things like "Please tell me when I am having a dream" or anything like that. It doesn't work for me... any tips/advice?

2. The only time I can control my dreams(which was only twice), I noticed I was in a dream by doing a reality check. Sounds normal, but I have not been doing reality checks in my dreams by habit...I did it on my own. I have not been able to do it again. I do reality checks more than 10 times a day(I started doing them 2 weeks ago), but I don't do them in my dreams unless I make myself do it... which is very hard for me.

3. Before I go to sleep, am I supposed to imagine what I want my dream to be like? I CANNOT do that. I say "my mind's eye is blind"... saying that if I try to imagine a picture in my head, I won't see anything no matter how hard I try. I need help with this.

4. Last question... Instead of reality checks, is there another way for me to know when I am having a dream? I have complete confidence that I am able to control my dream ANY time I want, but my mind is so stupid I take anything as normal in my dream. I try my best, but... no my mind is all "oh, Im talking to someone I DON'T know and the sky is black but it is daytime... that's normal...". Is there something else I can do?

5. Sorry... one more question. What is good to do/eat before I go to bed so I can get to sleep fast and have a lucid dream? Since I'm a minor(will be 16 soon), I can't take over-the-counter medications to go to sleep because my mom will get mad at me.

Sorry this is soooo long, but can anybody help me?