DR. WALLACE: I had my summer schedule all set up and it was working perfectly for me. I work the 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift at a local fast food restaurant Monday through Thursday. It was a perfect setup for me because I could sleep a bit later in the morning and still have Friday and Saturday to spend with my friends and Sunday to spend all day with my mom and dad.

Then last Saturday I went to the beach with my friends and the manager of the restaurant called and spoke with my mom since I wasn't home. He told my mom that I was an excellent employee and that he wanted me to add Saturdays to my schedule with the same hours. My mom thought I would be thrilled with the news and told him I would do it.

Well, I was not thrilled and I told the manager I could not work Saturdays. He said he really needed a Saturday worker because one of the workers quit without notice, and if I couldn't add Saturday to my schedule I could quit. I think he is being unreasonable, but I like my job and am saving money for college, so I really can't quit.

Do you think my mother should have discussed this very important decision with me? Her making this decision for me has just spoiled the rest of my summer. — Riana, Imperial Beach, Calif.

RIANA: The decision whether or not to work on Saturdays should have been for you to make, but your mom thought you would be pleased with the extra hours. However, if you're mature enough to handle the responsibilities of a paying job, you're mature enough to make your own life decisions.

Your manager certainly does not have much skill in the human relations department. He says you are an excellent employee, but then dares you to quit if you don't like your new schedule.

However, in the work world, demands are sometimes made on us that we don't like, but nevertheless, we have to shoulder. Hang in there and enjoy the extra money you'll be earning!

MY SON WANTS AN ALLOWANCE

DR. WALLACE: I'm divorced, and have custody of our 14-year-old son. He and his dad are fairly close but my son wants an allowance of $3 a week and although it is not a financial burden, his dad is dead-set against an allowance. He says if our son needs money, he should work for it. I've heard both pros and cons regarding an allowance, and I'd also like your opinion on this. — Mom, Galesburg, Ill.

MOM: I'm in favor of giving an allowance. It's an excellent way for a child to learn the value of money, to budget, and to save. Some parents tie the allowance to family chores, but it's up to individual parents to make that decision.

In a parent survey conducted for the Lutheran Brotherhood, 56 percent of the respondents said they give their children an allowance.

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: Pamela V White