DR. WALLACE: I noticed my daughter suddenly had new clothes that I hadn't purchased. When I asked her where she got these clothes, she stumbled over her words and finally admitted that she and her best friend shoplifted some items of clothing from a local department store. I was shocked. We are a close family with strong religious beliefs. I realize that teens can be impetuous. Therefore, after a strong discussion, I forgave her.

I called the store and my daughter and I met with the store manager and worked out a solution to the problem.

Some time ago, a teen wrote to you about being caught shoplifting. Is there any way you can search your files and reprint that letter? I want my daughter to read it. — Mom, Goshen, Ind.

MOM: It's my pleasure to grant your request. The letter follows:

DR. WALLACE: Several months ago I was caught shoplifting at a local department store. I went there to shoplift, and I didn't expect to get caught, but I did. I have never been more frightened in my life. First of all, I was placed under arrest and then released to my parents. Later I had a hearing with an attorney who placed me in a diversion program. He arranged a meeting with a corrections officer. She sentenced me to 15 hours of community service and put me on a 9 p.m. curfew. I also had to apologize to the store manager.

But that was only half of my punishment. My parents supplied the other half.

Since I didn't go to court (it was my first offense), I won't have a criminal record, thank goodness! I'm 14 and now I realize that shoplifting is very bad. Besides being a dishonest act, it costs the shopping public lots of extra money to cover the loss of stolen merchandise.

My main message to teens is please don't shoplift ! You don't want to go through what I went through — believe me! It's much easier to get a part-time job to pay for the little extras you might enjoy.

I'M SURE MOM WANTS YOU TO STAY

DR. WALLACE: My parents were divorced when I was 14. I'm now almost 16 and live with my mom and her new husband. They have been married for eight months. It has been very hard for me to adjust to the changes around my house. I'm thinking about moving to my father's house in Las Vegas, because I don't like my stepfather, and I do like my dad's wife. My mother said I could go if I want.

There is just one problem. I'm active in the 4-H Club, and I'm the president of a riding club (I have a horse). At school I'm on the newspaper staff, and next year I plan to go to Pikes Peak Community College as part of my senior year. If I live with my dad, I will have to give up all of this, plus my horse, and I really love him very much.

What do you think I should do? — Nameless, Pueblo, Colo.

NAMELESS: You have so much going for you in Pueblo that I recommend that you stay with your mother and stepfather. Unless the differences you have with your stepfather are severe, they'll ease up over time, and the three of you will figure out how to live in harmony with each other.

Since Mom is willing to let you move to your father's house, she would probably be willing to listen sympathetically to your concerns and do what she can to make life easier for you at her house. I'm sure she wants you to stay.

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.