'Tween 12 and 20 by Dr. Robert Wallace

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 14-year-old boy who is a good student. My problem is that if I don't get an "A" in every subject, my dad gets upset and I'm punished. I told him that a "C" is considered average, but he said that I'm not an average student. Help! — Bobby, Beatrice, Neb.

BOBBY: Few of us mortals have the ability to excel in all academic fields. Parents should be concerned and show interest in the school grades of their offspring, but to punish them if they're not perfect (and maybe not capable of being perfect) is not wise.

Talk to your counselor or administrator. Ask to have Dad review your cumulative records, so he can take note of areas where receiving an "A" would be unlikely.

But remember, if you're one of the few who is capable of perfect marks, then Dad is really going to be on your case.

RESEARCH STATES THAT AN ONLY CHILD IS MORE INTELLIGENT

DR. WALLACE: I'm 20. The guy, who I'm going to marry after college, is 21. I'm a third-year student and he is in his final year.

I'm an only child, while Mario comes from a large family. He has seven siblings — five sisters and two brothers. Many times Mario and I have little "fun" arguments about being an only child versus coming from a large family. I keep telling him that only children are smarter because parents can spend all their time with the only child, while Mario says that children from large families are usually smart because they not only learn from their parents, but they also learn from their siblings.

Do you have any information on who is correct? It's no big deal one way or the other, but we would like to know if there's any research on this.

— Terri, Phoenix.

TERRI: There is some research on this topic, though I would take it with a grain of salt. A few years ago, the American Institute for Research conducted an extensive study on only children and found that, on average, they did have higher IQs than children who grew up with siblings. Only children also tested higher in creativity, abstract reasoning, mechanical reasoning, mathematics and reading comprehension. However, they were also more self-centered and lonely.

This is a broad stereotype. Don't make too much of it or let it become a wedge between you and Mario. Always remember that love overcomes most obstacles, even "fun" arguments.

AM I TATTOOED FOR LIFE?

DR. WALLACE: Last year, my then-boyfriend talked me into getting a tattoo, so I chose a butterfly on my left shoulder. Now, he and I have parted ways. He turned out to be a real loser and I despise the thought of him. Every time I see my tattoo, I think of him and that makes me depressed. Is it possible to have the tattoo removed? If so, how do they remove it and how much does it cost?

Is it possible I'll have this to remind me of him the rest of my life? — Nameless, Plattsburg, N.Y.

NAMELESS: The cost of removing a tattoo will vary depending on its size and color, but should be about $500. See a dermatologist who can remove the tattoo by sanding the dye out of the skin using a method known as dermabrasion.

It's also possible to have the tattoo covered by a dye that is the color of your skin. The dye would be tattooed to cover the original.

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. E-mail 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.

COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM