DR. WALLACE: I'm a girl turning16 in three weeks, and my parents have been debating whether they will let me start dating then or at 16 1/2.

My parents always worry about me and can be a bit overbearing and overprotective.

We had a family discussion this past weekend, and I received what I take to be both good and bad news. The good news is that my mother convinced my father to allow me to begin dating at 16. I was very pleased with this development, especially because many of my girlfriends have the exact same starting date. We feel everyone is equal and we're all looking forward to learning from each other as we navigate the dating world.

However, there was a catch in the negotiations. While my mother prevailed in convincing my father to allow me to start at age 16, my father convinced her to only allow me to go out on dates if one or both of my parents chauffeured me to and from!

This is beyond embarrassing and now I'm torn. I want to go out on dates, but I'm humiliated that my parents are going to be driving me. I don't think any of my friends have the same restriction. My father explained to me that he'll allow me to go out soon, but that he wants to ensure my safe arrival and departure. This will also allow him and my mother to see who I'm dating and where I'm going

Do you feel my parents are being overprotective and ridiculous? My dad did say that he'll only make me drive with my parents on my dates until I turn 17, which means it's going to be an extremely long year for me. — Not Happy With the Mixed Results, via email

NOT HAPPY WITH THE MIXED RESULTS: Your parents are obviously concerned about you getting into a vehicle where the driver may be impaired. A second benefit of your parents driving you will be that they're able to see and learn more about your specific dates, as many parents are always concerned about the character of those who go out with their children.

Yes, it may be uncomfortable for you at first, but the year will go by quickly and soon, you'll be able to go to and from your dates without parental chauffeur service.

In the meantime, focus on your actual dates and the good times you will have on them. Once a new date of yours gets used to your situation, it will become routine and no longer a big deal.

I'M UNSURE WHAT TO DO NOW

DR. WALLACE: I'm a girl in my junior year in high school, and I have a certain guy who's been a platonic friend of mine since the sixth grade.

Our families are friends because our mothers work at the same large company. We've also always been in the same school since then.

I've had a secret crush on him over the last year or so, but because we've been just friends for so long, I felt that it would be out of line for me to say anything to him about it.

Over the past month or so, he has texted me about the same number of times per week as usual, but I've noticed that a few of his texts tend to be newly flirtatious. But when I see him later, he acts low-key and normal. I'm kind of afraid to confront him, and the whole thing just seems so strange. What's your advice at this point? — Don't Know What to Do Next, via email

DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT: It could be that your good friend is indeed interested in flirting with you but is timid in doing so. Sending flirtatious text messages gives you a little indication of where he's coming from while relieving him of the pressure of actually flirting with you in person.

This also gives him a bit of a safety net, because you can ignore his flirtatious words as a way of declining to engage him in similar behavior. This could also psychologically help him avoid rejection.

But since you're interested in engaging him with potential romantic intent, I suggest you start by tastefully flirting back over text and seeing if that draws a reaction from him the next time you see him.

If he still doesn't say anything directly to you, the ball is in your court, and you can bring up the flirtatious texting at any time of your choosing!

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 [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.

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