DR. WALLACE: I have a midnight curfew on Saturday night. Last Saturday, I went to a movie with my boyfriend, and we went out for a pizza afterward. While at the pizza parlor, we met another couple that are good friends of mine. We were having a great conversation, and my boyfriend and I completely forgot about the time. To make a long story short, I was 45 minutes late getting home.

My parents were furious and blamed my boyfriend. They said it was his responsibility to get me home on time. They are considering having me break up with him. I think that I should be punished for abusing curfew, but I'm the one to blame, not my boyfriend. How do you see it? —Nameless, Levittown, Pa.

NAMELESS: Your date has a responsibility to see that you do not break curfew, but the prime responsibility rests with you. You are more at fault than your boyfriend and should be disciplined, and your parents should have a chat with your boyfriend to remind him of his responsibilities if he still wants to date their daughter.

DONATE THE MONEY TO A WORTHY CHARITY

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and very religious, and I believe in "doing unto others as you would have others do unto you." When I was 15, I stole a pair of sunglasses from a department store. I have prayed for forgiveness, and I believe that I have been forgiven, but still I feel bad about the theft. Last year, I talked to the manager of the store and told him what I had done and offered to pay for taking the glasses, but he told me that he was pleased that I talked to him, and I didn't have to repay him for the glasses. He said it would cost more to take the $15 from me and try and explain things to their accounting department than it was worth. I felt better talking to the manager, but I still have a degree of guilt. Is there anything that I can do to rid myself of this guilt? —Nameless, Baltimore, Md.

NAMELESS: You are to be commended for asking your Maker and the store manager for forgiveness. Since you are materially ahead $15 because of your theft, donate $15 dollars to a worthy charity. The Salvation Army would put the money to good use. After the donation, your mind should be clear so you can get on with a very happy and productive life.

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.