DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and my parents keep threatening to kick me out of the house. Sometimes I think that they are just kidding, but other times I think they are serious. Legally, what are my parents' obligations? — Nameless, Reno, Nev.

NAMELESS: Your parents are legally responsible for your health and welfare until you reach your eighteenth birthday. The vast majority of parents continue to be responsible for a child's health and welfare as long as the child lives with the parents after reaching age 18. Your parents cannot force you to leave your house now, but they can say goodbye at age 18. See that this doesn't happen. It wouldn't be the best move for you or your parents.

GO TO THE DANCE AND HAVE FUN

DR. WALLACE: My mom told my cousin (a dork) that I would be glad to be his date for a fall "Octoberfest" dance at his high school. I am absolutely furious that she did this. My cousin is a nice fellow, but he is still dorky. To make matters worse, I know a couple of guys who attend my cousin's school and I don't want to be seen having my cousin for a date. Would I be terribly wrong if I "conveniently" got sick the day of the dance? That way I would have a great reason for not going. I'm never going to forgive my mother for doing this to me. — Upset, Wichita, Kans.

UPSET: I agree that your mother should not have made a date for you without talking to you. However, now that this has happened, the feelings of your cousin, who is expecting to go with you and did not himself do anything wrong, are tangled in the matter. I feel it would be terribly wrong if you faked illness on the day of the dance.

Go to the dance and plan to have a good time. Do not, I repeat, do not have a "sour puss" attitude that could make your cousin wish you weren't his date. If you relax and forget how mad you are at your mother, something truly amazing could happen — you could have fun!

BE HER PRIME ROLE MODEL

DR. WALLACE: I'm 13 and have an eleven-year-old sister. I like her, but it does annoy me when she copies everything I do. She likes to wear her hair the same way I do. She also likes the same foods that I do, hate's the same foods I hate, plays the same sports that I play and likes the same music that I like. You get the picture!

What can I do to get her to think for herself? Even my friends consider her a clone of me. — Madison, Lincoln, Nebr.

MADISON: Your sister is copying you because she thinks you are one sharp sister and she wants to be just like you. Don't let this flattery unnerve you. In time, your sister will take her own course. Until then, you might as well enjoy being her prime role model.

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.