DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and, if I must say so myself, a pretty good kid. I'm on the honor roll at school, and I teach Sunday School at my church. I've never experimented with drugs, alcohol or premarital sex. I've got a boyfriend who my parents approve of, and I have an open, wonderful relationship with my parents.

I'm vice president of my sophomore class and also a yell leader. Since I'm a very active teen, I need a certain amount of money to survive. I'd like to get a part-time job, but my parents won't let me. They believe that all of my spare time should be directed toward my studies.

My problem is that I need $25 per week for my necessities —-food (snacks), yearbook, movie tickets, etc. My parents do buy all of my clothes and give me $2 every day for my lunch, but they only give me $15 a week allowance. That really limits my lifestyle. What can I do to get them to raise my allowance to $25 per week? Please hurry with your answer. —Janeen, San Antonio, Tex.

JANEEN: Asking for a 67 percent raise in "pay" is asking a lot. Chances would be better if you asked for $3 and learned to budget your money. Be thankful that you have a fair allowance. Many teens would be thrilled to have $15 a week spending money.

I agree with your parents refusing to say yes when you inquired about getting a part-time job. You are considered a full-time student, and this should dominate your time.

FRIENDSHIP SHOULD LAST A LIFETIME

DR. WALLACE: My best friend is 17 and very pregnant. She and her boyfriend were planning to get married a month ago, but he was killed in an automobile accident five months ago. The baby is due in about a month. I received a call from my friend's cousin inviting me to a baby shower for her and I told her I'd be there.

When I told my mother about the shower, she said she had never heard of a baby shower for an unwed mother. She said she wouldn't keep me from going, but she would prefer that I wouldn't. She thinks that the shower is honoring someone who committed a huge sin. I'm going to attend, but I'd like to know what you think about this. My mom always reads your column, so I'm hoping that you will agree with me that my friend needs all her friends now. —Corina, El Paso, Tex.

CORINA: I agree that you should attend the baby shower. The spotlight will be on the baby who is pure and sinless. Good friends should be together to share important moments, and the friendship should last a lifetime. You both are fortunate to share a close friendship and to have each other to lean on in times of need.

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.