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Love Is the Key to Successful Parenting
DR. WALLACE: I am a single parent of an 11-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. I had a lot of problems as a teen because my parents were super lenient in controlling me. Let's say I could do almost anything that I wanted with no questions asked.…Read more.
Give Intelligent Young Women a Break
DR. WALLACE: I'm angry that you encourage all girls, even the mentally, emotionally and physically mature young women who happen to be teenagers, not to get involved with older guys. You are dead wrong in your assumption that older guys and teenage …Read more.
Open and Honest Conversation Is Paramount
DR. WALLACE: Please tell me what to do. I'm 20, married three years and the mother of a 2-year-old son. I love my husband very much, but I'm lonely and depressed. My husband works 12 to 16 hours, 6 days a week. I have no friends, no job and no time …Read more.
My Friend's Mother Helps Her Cheat
DR. WALLACE: We have homework four days a week in world history. I do all my homework by myself, but my best friend's mother helps her with hers. I average a B on my homework, but my friend averages an A. I don't believe this is fair. Both of us are …Read more.
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Marijuana Use is Unhealthy and UnwiseDR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and have been smoking marijuana for over five years. A close friend introduced me to "pot" and I am thankful that he did. I truly enjoy getting high on "weed." I only use marijuana when I am positive that smoking "pot" will not place me or any other living thing in danger. That means 90 percent of the time I get high at home. I heard a lecture from a medical doctor who believes "pot's" most damaging effects are on behavior — the impairment of memory or learning disability and the loss of motivation, coordination or motor skills. He also stated that "pot" tends to damage the emotional growth of regular users. Since you are also a doctor, I'd like to hear what you think about this lecturer's comments regarding smoking marijuana. — Nameless, New Haven, Conn. NAMELESS: I am not a medical doctor. My doctor's degree is in educational philosophy, so I can't comment on the medical doctor's evaluation of marijuana smoking. But the fact that smoking marijuana fills the lungs with smoke tells me that smoking any substance, including marijuana, is unhealthy and extremely unwise. NATIONAL STD INFORMATION Dr. WALLACE: I think that I might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, but I'm not sure. Still, I'm very concerned. Is there some sort of hot line that I can call? I don't want to talk with my parents just yet.
NAMELESS: The National STD information telephone number is 919-361-8400 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Their website is www.ashastd.org. Callers receive confidential information and will be directed to an appropriate local agency for additional help and guidance. I am aware that discussing your concern with your parents would be extremely difficult, but "at the end of the day" they will give you the best advice possible. The National STD information hot line is a nonprofit organization and offers assistance free of charge. GO OUT WITH THE OLDER GUY DR. WALLACE: I'm a 19-year-old girl and met a wonderful fellow who is 29. I really care for him, but my friends are telling me to drop the guy because of our age difference. I realize that 10 years is quite a difference, but when we are together, the age difference is not a problem. Am I being "love blind" or do you think I should go for it? I know that you are not in favor of age-difference dating, but I still would like your opinion. — Shannon, Atlanta. SHANNON: Go for it! I only frown on relationships where children are seeing adults. When both parties are adults, age difference is not that important. 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
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