DR. WALLACE: I'm taking an evening history class because I want to graduate from high school in three years so I can start college a year sooner. I'm mad as heck, but I don't know what to do about it.

The teacher's son sits next to me and tries to look at my paper when we have a test. I told him to stop cheating, and he said it didn't make any difference anyway because his mother will give him an A. He said he knew that I was a good student and if he did well on tests his mother would feel better giving him an A.

I think this is despicable. Since you are a former high school principal, I'd like your input on this. It bugs me that this jerk will get an undeserved A grade. — Nameless, Phoenix, Ariz.

NAMELESS: Do everything possible to do your best in this class. Don't concern yourself with the grade of the cheater. If the teacher is favoring her son, they are both losers and you are still the winner!

YOU DESERVE YOUR PUNISHMENT

DR. WALLACE: Last Saturday night, I went out with Brent for the first time. He's a super guy and we had a great evening together. When he picked me up at my house, he met my parents. My dad told Brent my curfew was midnight sharp and asked him not to bring me home late. Brent promised to get me home "before 11:30 p.m."

Well, it didn't happen that way. After the movie, Brent ran into some friends who invited us to a party and we decided to go. It was a great party with tons of food, great music and nice guests. I saw no sign of booze or drugs. At about 20 minutes to midnight, Brent said we had better leave, but I was talking to a girl I had just met so I told him, "in a minute or two." The minute or two lasted 30 minutes, so I didn't get home until after midnight.

My parents were furious. I am now grounded for a month and I can never go out with Brent again. They blame him for not bringing me home on time like he promised. I didn't think that's fair. I'm the one who caused us to be late. What can I do to get my parents to let me go out with Brent again? — Lynn, Erie, Penn.

LYNN: Your date promised to bring you home before curfew and he didn't deliver, so don't argue that your parents are unfair.

Your parents became upset and worried because you "extended" your curfew. Had you called them and told them that you were going to be 30 minutes late, they still would have issued discipline, but they might have been more sympathetic knowing that you were "safe and sound." Not knowing where you were and why you were not home at curfew caused them to be furious when you did arrive. You deserved your punishment.

Only time and your extra good behavior will cause your parents to reconsider.

AM I MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION?

DR. WALLACE: My parents were divorced when I was 5 and I came to live with my dad's mom and dad, whom I love dearly. In fact, I call them Mom and Dad, not grandmother and grandfather. I have been in contact with my birth mother and see her about once every month. She is nice and I do love her, but not more than my "parents."

My mother recently married and has invited me to move in with her and her new husband. She said the decision was entirely up to me. I'd like to see more of my birth mother and do things with her, but I want to remain where I now live. Do you think I'm making the right decision? —Angel, Fargo, N. D.

ANGEL: Yes, I believe you are making the right decision. Stay with your "parents," but tell your birth mother you want to continue doing things with her and to know her better. That will make her happy, and you as well.

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.