DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and live with my divorced mother and her boyfriend who has been living in our house for the past seven months. My dad has remarried and is living about 50 miles away, but I haven't seen him in a year.

My huge problem is that my mother's boyfriend has made sexual remarks about my shape. I told my mother that I didn't appreciate this guy's comments, but she told me that her boyfriend wasn't serious.

Last week, he came home from work early because he told his boss that he had an upset stomach. My mother was at work and this guy came into my room and tried to kiss me and his hands were all over me. That night, I told my mother what happened in front of the boyfriend. He denied it and told my mom that I just didn't like him, and that I was trying to get my mother to get rid of him.

My mom said that she didn't know who to believe. I've called my dad and he said that he wanted me to move in with him and his new wife. I would like that except that I would have to change high schools, and I really don't want to leave my friends.

My best friend said that she talked to her parents about my problem and that I would be welcome to live with them. What should I do? My mom said I could move out if I wanted to. — Nameless, Kansas City, Missouri

NAMELESS: Take the offer to move in with your best friend and her family — soon. That will give you time to decide if you want to move in with your father and his wife. Also, your mother might come to her senses and send this jerk packing, which will allow you to return home with her.

HUGS ARE WONDERFUL AT HOME

DR. WALLACE: My parents are huggers. They hug at home or in public, and they enjoy wrapping their arms around each other and it doesn't bother them no matter who is watching. They also hug me whenever I do something special. I enjoy their love for me when they hug me in our house, but I don't appreciate being hugged in public. If I'm leaving on a trip or coming home after being away, I can understand them wanting to hug me, but not when they see me with my friends in a store.

I'd like your opinion and I promise that I will make sure they read it, regardless of your opinion. — Nameless, Baltimore

NAMELESS: A hug is a wonderful way to share mutual admiration and love. However, since being hugged at home by your parents brings you enjoyment, but hugs in public make you feel uncomfortable, it would be better, in my opinion, if your parents respected your request to limit the hugs to the privacy of your home. Hugs should not make a person feel uncomfortable.

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.