I Can't Find Fault With Mom's Decision by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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I Can't Find Fault With Mom's Decision

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have a part-time job on Monday and Wednesday afternoons after school. I work from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in an office as a filing clerk. I get paid $40 a week, and I really like the job and the money. Yesterday (Tuesday) the office secretary called my mom while I was at school and asked if I'd be interested in also working Tuesday afternoons. My mom told her I'd "love to work Tuesday afternoon."

I do like the job very much and normally I would work extra days if needed, but it so happens that yesterday was my best friend's 16th birthday, and I was going to help her celebrate (along with other friends) after school at a local pizza parlor. So instead of having a great time with friends, I had to go to work. Mom called school and gave me the message: "Go to work after school. You are needed."

I think that Mom should not have volunteered my services at work before she talked with me about it. She could have contacted the school and left a message for me to call her. Mom says she had to make a fast decision, and she thought I would like to make a little extra money. I'm still upset with Mom's decision, but she insists she did nothing wrong.

Please give me your thoughts on this family dispute. —Beverly, San Mateo, Calif.

BEVERLY: I can't really find fault with your mom's decision because as you said, "normally I would work extra days if needed." Mom knew you enjoyed your part-time job and felt you would enjoy making a little extra money by helping your employer out of a tight spot.

But if the occasion arose again, it would be wise if mom contacted you before making a commitment.

LITTLE MONEY FOR TEACHERS

DR. WALLACE: I'm a first-year student at Indiana University and plan to major in elementary education. I really enjoy working with young children. I know I'll never become rich teaching. Why are teachers paid so poorly compared with other professionals? Our country would be hurting if all the teachers went on strike. —Nathan, Bloomington, Ind.

NATHAN: The problem is that teachers are public servants, whose salaries are paid from tax dollars. This keeps their compensation lower than that of professionals in the private sector.

No, Nathan, you won't become rich from a teacher's salary, but please be advised that teachers live highly rewarding lives. Follow your dream and don't worry about the money. You'll get by on your paycheck, but you'll grow rich on the knowledge that you are nourishing young people helping them become productive citizens.

WHAT CAUSES A HICKEY TO TURN PURPLE?

DR. WALLACE: I'm very aware of what causes a hickey, but I'm not so sure what happens to cause the hickey to turn purple. No big deal, but I'd like to know. —Meredith, Frederick, Okla.

MEREDITH: A hickey is actually a bruise caused by broken blood vessels.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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3 Comments | Post Comment

LW1: You're right and your mother shouldn't have made that decision for you. She should apologize and promise to never do it again. If she can't well then that will teach you an important lesson about your mother's lack of character.

Comment: #1
Posted by: Diana
Fri May 3, 2013 3:46 PM

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LW1: Well, I can find plenty of fault here to go all around.

1. The office secretary didn't ask you -- she asked your mom. That's not professional.
2. Your mom certainly was able to say, "I have no problem with that -- and I think she'd love to. I'm not sure if she has plans today, though -- can I have her call you to let you know?"
3. When you got the message from school, you had the opportunity to be a grownup and call the office to explain, "I'm very excited about the opportunity to work Tuesday afternoons. I'd be there today, but I have a prior commitment. So I'll come in as usual tomorrow and work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Thanks!"

You wouldn't have lost the job -- they know and like your work -- and they LIKE knowing that you have the gumption to speak up and honor previous commitments. Because sometimes THEY will BE your previous commitment, and the reason you won't agree to ditch work to go to a movie with a friend.

Comment: #2
Posted by: hedgehog
Sat May 4, 2013 10:38 AM

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Normally I agree with Dr. Wallace but not about LW1. It was rude of the mother without asking if she had made plans or just say precisely what Hedgehog said in her answer in #2. I'm siding with the LW on this. Mom should apologize, told the secretary she made mistake that her daughter made previous plans and that the daughter should be asked first since Mom got her into this hot water.

LW2: I think teachers should be paid more. Enough of our taxes are taken to pay for schools but the money is goes to . . .. what? Super intendent salary who does what? It should go to teachers since they have to be the ones in the trenches day after day and have to bring home work.

Comment: #3
Posted by: Kath
Sun May 5, 2013 1:20 PM

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I Can't Find Fault With Mom's Decision

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