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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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What is Your Favorite Subject?TEENS: What is your favorite class? A survey by the California Teachers Association questioned over 2,000 high-school students to identify their favorite class. The biggest hit with the girls was English; for boys, physical education. I can identify with that. When I was a high-school student in Gary, Ind., physical education was my favorite class for four straight years. It paid dividends because I became the head basketball coach at high schools in Kirkland, Ill., Phoenix, and Garden Grove, Calif. Interestingly, I also taught English! MY FRIEND BECAME VIOLENT WITH ME DR. WALLACE: Two years ago, I enrolled at a new high school. I knew no one at this school, but in a short time I met Kara, and we became good friends. At first she was very nice, but eventually she started saying bad things about me. Finally, she became violent with me. That's when I stopped hanging around with her. Lately, she has been leaving messages on our answering machine saying she is sorry for her behavior and wants us to hang out once again. My mom doesn't want me to be her friend, and she refuses to let me return her phone calls. Do you agree with my mom, or do you think I should give her another chance? — Nameless, Ontario, Calif. NAMELESS: Kara is not to be trusted. She needs counseling, not a second chance. She has already had several chances to be your friend and failed miserably. She has proved herself to be not merely fickle, disloyal and deceitful but also violent.
If you're lonely and without good friends, vow to become more active at school. Join clubs and participate in after-school activities. I'm sure you'll begin meeting other teens that have common interests and would very much enjoy being your friend. BOY GOOD WITH CHILDREN, BUT NOT ALLOWED TO BABY-SIT DR. WALLACE: I have two teens, a boy and a girl. There have been several occasions when my daughter has been asked to baby-sit, and when she is not available, I've suggested that perhaps my son could baby-sit. In most instances I've been told, "No thanks, we want a girl to baby-sit." My son is very good with children, and I have expressed this fact, but the answer is still "no boy"! Why are people so close-minded when it comes to the gender of a baby sitter? — Mother, Miami. MOTHER: I'm sure that boys could also be effective baby sitters if given the opportunity, but some parents feel that girls are more responsible and nurturing. The chance for boys to baby-sit might also be denied because teen males are more sexually aggressive than females; therefore, many parents don't want the risk of hiring a male baby sitter. Many parent groups bring this fact to the forefront and discourage hiring male baby sitters. 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 reallace@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 2010 CREATORS.COM
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