DR. WALLACE: You told a girl that for her to be the best possible babysitter, she should take a red cross lifesaving course and learn the Heimlich Maneuver for choking victims. I disagree with your advice. I'm 13 and a very good babysitter, but I haven't taken the Red Cross course and I don't know the Heimlich Maneuver.
A good sitter would cut up food into small pieces so a child won't choke. I'm good because I don't allow the children I babysit for to get into life-threatening situations. I watch the children all the time to make sure nothing bad happens to them. Learning life-saving techniques is for sitters who don't know how to be good babysitters. I do! — Savvy Sitter, via email
SITTER: You sound like a conscientious and responsible babysitter, but you'll be an even better one after you take the Red Cross life-saving course and learn the Heimlich Maneuver. Accidents happen when you least expect them, and sometimes to the most careful people. What would you do, for instance, if one of the children you were watching started choking on something you'd cut into small pieces? Or if a child under your care choked on a small toy or tiny stuffed animal? Remember choking, especially among small children, does not always involve food.
Furthermore, these skills should come in handy elsewhere in your life. When you pass the Red Cross course and learn the Heimlich, you will be prepared to help anyone at any time of need.
I LIGHT UP AND AM AN HONOR STUDENT
DR. WALLACE: I smoke marijuana about twice a week. My parents are aware of this and even though they don't approve they allow me to smoke pot in my room. Their big worry is that pot will lead me to start trying hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin. This will never happen. I have told them this many times.
Please explain to them that there are many people who smoke pot who never do other drugs. My parents are faithful readers of your column. Please, no lectures on the harmful effects of smoking pot. I know all about it. I'll stop using marijuana when I decide to. I've never missed a day of school or work because of my habit. I also happen to be an honor student and a trusted, respected, part-time employee at a fast food restaurant. — Anonymous, Las Vegas, Nv.
ANONYMOUS: According to a study conducted by a Penn State University research team, the majority of marijuana users (69 percent) do not advance to hard drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. But of those who presently do use hard drugs, 98 percent also use, or have used, marijuana. As you can see, the statistics cut both ways.
The study also found that regular (at least one joint per week) users of marijuana have to have it for roughly six years before quitting. The addicted cigarette smoker usually continues his or her habit for over 20 years. Of course you know where I stand on drug use of any kind. No further lecture necessary now that you have the statistics you were seeking.
WE'RE FIRST COUSINS. IS IT OK?
DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I are planning to get married this summer. We are both 20, high school graduates and we have decent good-paying, full-time jobs. We love each other and will "till the end of time."
There is only one concern. We are first cousins. His father and my father are brothers. A lot of people are telling us that first cousins shouldn't marry because children born out of this kind of marriage could be subject to birth defects. I've also heard from some of my other friends that this isn't true. Enlighten us. — Tom and Sinead, via email
TOM AND SINEAD: I checked with my personal physician and was told that the chances of your baby having birth a defect are a bit higher than normal, but still "relatively" slim. In years gone by, especially the previous century, it was much more common for first cousins to marry, due to limited travel opportunities and smaller pools of population.
Marrying a first cousin is more rare nowadays, but it does happen so take note you're not the only ones. In fact, history yields a long list of famous names that were married to their first cousins. You might be surprised to learn that scientific geniuses like Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin both married first cousins!
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.
View Comments