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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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He is on the Hunt for Young GirlsDR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and need your advice. Last Christmas I visited my aunt who lives in Mexico. The boy who lived next door was really cute, and he asked me to go out with him. I told him no because I thought I was too ugly to go out with such a cute guy. I plan to spend the next Christmas vacation in Mexico with my mom. I called my cousin to find out if Juan is still around, and if so, I would probably go out with him if he asked me. She said he is still around. During the past nine months, I have lost 26 pounds, have visited a dermatologist (my complexion is now clear) and have a new hairstyle. I think you could say that now I'm rather attractive. The only problem is that, although Juan still lives next door, my cousin said she wouldn't recommend going out with him. He is 19 years old, has a 19-month-old son and a 15-month-old daughter with two different girls and has not been employed, even though he is physically capable of working. What do you think? Should I go out with Juan if he asks me, or should I continue to say no? Being asked out and saying yes would do wonders for my self-esteem. — Lupe, Nogales, Ariz. LUPE: Congratulations on your transformation! I'm proud of you for taking such positive steps in your life. This shows you already have considerable self-esteem and are willing to take ownership of your life. If you maintain this positive attitude, believe me, guys will soon be asking you out. Regarding Juan, I definitely agree with your cousin. This guy is trouble. He's too old for you, and he's sexually irresponsible. He's probably always on the hunt for young girls. Dating him would do nothing for your self-esteem except, quite likely, shatter it. MY MOM CAUGHT ME SMOKING DR.
Well, I did get off restriction, but my mom caught us smoking again in the back of my dad's van. Now I'm really grounded. I can't even use the telephone, watch television, listen to the radio or have friends over to the house. I must spend at least two hours per night on homework, and I've got to be in bed at 10 every night with the lights out. I also cannot associate with my two friends because of all this trouble. Dr. Wallace, these friends are good people. All they do wrong is smoke a few cigarettes a day. In fact, both of their parents are aware they smoke and don't really care one way or the other. Do you think my mother overreacted, and do you think I should be allowed to see my two friends once I get ungrounded? — Lytia, Dothan, Ala. LYTIA: The problem is, Mom has no way to trust you. As you undergo your punishment, think long and hard about your inability to keep your word. Your word is everything, Lytia! The fact that you broke a solemn promise is, I'm sure, more distressing to your mother than the fact that you puffed on a cigarette. Don't even think about hanging out with those two girls again. The peer pressure for you to smoke again if you are with them is just too great. 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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