DR. WALLACE: Last week my girlfriend and I got into a huge argument in an ice cream store. She swore at me and I retaliated by calling her a pig. She then slapped my face. A lot people saw this and it made me angry so without thinking I pushed my ice cream cone into her face. She then started crying and told me she never wanted to see me again.

To make things worse her father called me and said that I could never take his daughter out again.

She is the one who swore at me and she is the one who used violence on me. All I did was call her a pig and spread a little bit of ice cream on her face. Now I'm the one taking all the heat for being a nasty dude. My first question: Do you think I'm the one to blame for the spat my girlfriend and I had? My next question: Do you think my girlfriend's father is overreacting? And finally: What can I do to win my girlfriend back? We have been a couple for over a year and I know she still cares for me. I can feel it in my bones that one day we will be married. — Sad and lonesome guy, via email

SAD: You are just as much to blame for the public scene as you're now ex-girlfriend.

Your girlfriend's father is justified in telling you to "get lost and stay lost." And finally, I can think of nothing at the moment that would be encouraging news regarding a reunion with your ex-girlfriend.

They say that time heals all wounds, but in your case, I wouldn't spend time waiting for this wound to heal. Besides, I'm not quite sure your ex and you are meant to live happily ever after. Bones don't always tell the truth.

I'M GETTING FED UP WITH HER MOM

DR. WALLACE: My girlfriend happens to be a super person, and we have a wonderful time when we are together. We have been dating for about six months. We are not into drugs, alcohol, tobacco or premarital sex. We are both responsible teens and we have mutual respect for each other. Since we don't have many friends, most of the time we're alone with each other. In fact, we have never double-dated. We sort of like it this way.

My girlfriend's mother doesn't like this arrangement for her daughter. She doesn't mind that we are dating, but her concern is that her daughter is being denied the companionship of other teens, both male and female.

She has also made statements to both of us inferring that being together alone all the time can lead to sexual aggression. Yesterday her mom struck a nerve when she told us our relationship was unhealthy and that we should begin to double date with other kids immediately.

What do you suggest that we do? My girlfriend loves her mom and would do nothing intentional to hurt her or her feeling, but she also loves me and I'm getting fed up with her mom. — Not so happy, via email

NOT SO: It's important that teens who are dating to be allowed to spend some time together alone and away from all the pressures of this world. Don't make a big issue out of your girlfriend's mother's comments. What you and your girlfriend do or don't do when together is what is important, not what others think you might be doing.

But there is no reason why a couple can't enjoy the company and friendship of others. It wouldn't be difficult to try a double date with another couple that might have similar standards and interests. It could be an enjoyable experience for you and your girlfriend and it will make her mom feel a bit better about the relationship - and that would be quite good for you!

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.

Photo credit: at Pixabay