DR. WALLACE: I'm a 14-year-old girl and have two sisters. One is 13 and the other is 15. All three of us are treated exactly the same. Let me give you an example. My older sister and I are really smart in school, but our younger sister is considered average. If we don't maintain a B-plus average in school, we are put on restriction. My older sister and I have never been on restriction, but our younger sister is constantly grounded. She rarely gets to do any fun things because she is in her room studying.

I think my parents are making a big mistake and my older sister and I have told them so, but we are reminded to "mind your own business." Do you think our parents are making a mistake? Both of our parents are in education. Our mom is an elementary school principal and our father teaches high school science. — Nameless, Annapolis, Md.

NAMELESS: Yes, I think your parents are making a mistake. The only tool they're using to stimulate your younger sister is punishment, which all but guarantees she'll grow to hate the learning process. Learning, above all else, should be exciting and enjoyable.

Being educators, your parents should know this, and they probably do in relation to their students; they just can't see it in connection with their daughter. They're frustrated with her because she doesn't fit the mold. I fear your parents see only where your sister falls short of the mark. I'll bet there are areas where she excels that they don't value sufficiently, or perhaps notice at all.

Keep sticking up for your sister. Eventually, Mom and Dad will get the message — I hope.

I'LL BE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOREVER

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and so is my best friend. This might be unusual because I'm female and he's a male. We have been great friends for over two years. We became close when we were biology lab partners. He helped me dissect my frog. We talk to each other almost every day at school, at home on the phone, or by text.

We have never gone out together, but lately I'd like to be more than just a friend. I'd like to be his girlfriend. What should I do to get him to ask me out? I'll be grateful to you forever if your advice turns friendship into romance! — Nameless, Santa Fe, N.M.

NAMELESS: The time has come for you to be assertive. The next time he calls, tell him you'd like to talk to him at school over lunch break. When you see him, inform him that it's time to go out on a date and suggest the following Friday or Saturday night. That way he has to make a choice. I'm positive he'll be happy you took the initiative to get the dating process moving. You know he truly cares for you or he wouldn't be calling you every school night.

Contact me in a few weeks and let me know how things are progressing.

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 [email protected]. 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.