I Hope Her “Headache” Goes Away Soon by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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I Hope Her “Headache” Goes Away Soon

DR. WALLACE: I'm 13 and starting to mature physically. It's time that I learn about sex and sexual reproduction. Everything that I have learned so far has come from my friends, and I'm not sure all of it is true. I've asked my mother at least a dozen times to answer my questions about sex, but she always makes excuses why she can't do it "just yet." Sometimes she says that she is "too tired" to think or she is too busy "right now" or "Wait until my headache goes away."

Dr. Wallace, it's time for me to know all the true facts about sex. One girl told me that her best friend got pregnant just by kissing a guy. I know that isn't true, but those are the type of rumors that float around our school. My best friend told me that her mother answered all of her questions regarding sex and would be glad to answer all of mine, too. Should I have my friend's mother tell me about "the birds and the bees" or should I continue pressing my mother to do what she is supposed to do — tell her daughter the truth about sex?

If you tell me to continue pressing my mother for answers, what can I do to get her to tell me the facts and answer my questions? Of course, I'm not planning to have sex, but still, I'd like to be informed. — Nameless, Michigan City, Ind.

NAMELESS: Your mom is missing the boat. As soon as a young person wants answers about sex, the time is right to begin talking about it to him or her.

Some parents find doing so extremely uncomfortable, but they still need to make that effort anyway. Tell Mom it's crucial that you have accurate information about sex and reproduction. If you haven't done so already, tell her about the rumors and misinformation floating around your school.

If her "headache" doesn't go away and she still refuses to have a serious talk with you about sex, then let her know that your friend's mother will. Chances are this will encourage Mom to fulfill her responsibility. But if she gives you permission to learn from your friend's mother instead, do it.

THE SODA POP MACHINE IS GONE

DR. WALLACE: We used to have a soda pop machine on our high school campus. It was open during lunchtime and after school. But now the pop machine is gone and in its place is a machine that dispenses low-fat milk, chocolate milk and various fruit juices — ugh! My cousin's school still has their pop machine. What gives? - Angie, Miami, Fla.

ANGIE: Some school districts still allow students to purchase soda pop on campus, mainly as a money-making venture. There are much better ways for schools to supplement their budgets. I'm 100 percent in favor of the milk and juice dispenser. Sorry about that!

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.