DR. WALLACE: I'm a big fan of your column and generally agree wholeheartedly with the advice you give. I felt you were off the mark, however, when you said children should not address their parents with "ma'am" and "sir." Perhaps my viewpoint is more prevalent in the South, but I feel strongly that parents deserve the same, if not more, respect than adults outside the home.

As a parent of a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old, I've discovered that good manners are a matter of habit; if things are allowed to slide at home, it's often hard to remember to implement them in public. We have a very warm and loving household where the kids are our number one priority - but ma'am and sir are always required.

By the way, my husband and I are in our mid-30's, neither of us have any ties to the military, and we are in sync with our friends' parenting practices on this issue. - Nameless, Montgomery, Ala.

NAMELESS: For the record, I wrote that children should use "ma'am" and "sir" when addressing other adults, but I felt that "Mom" and "Dad" or "Mother" and "Father" were warmer and more personal for parents. I have received many letters, both pro and con, in response to my stance on this matter. About 80 percent thought "ma'am" and "sir" were too formal, while 20 percent were in concert with your philosophy.

I don't mean to imply that parents should, under no circumstances, be called "ma'am" and "sir" by their children. It's up to the parents to decide how they want to be addressed. My wife and I are the parents of two children: we have always been addressed as "Mom" and "Dad" and that's what we preferred.

Don't feel that "ma'am" and "sir" is strictly Southern. The letters supporting the more formal address came from all regions of the United States and Canada.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this subject.

DON'T SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH

DR. WALLACE: I've always slept on my stomach. Last weekend I stayed overnight at a friend's house and when she saw my sleeping position she told me I was really messing up my back. Is this true? For the past several years, I've been having off-and-on back problems. Is there any way you can find out the best sleeping position for an active, growing teen? — Nameless, St. Louis, Mo.

NAMELESS: My research took me to the Better Sleep Council, which recommends sleeping on one's side with the knees slightly bent, or on the back. This is because the body and spine need proper support, especially during the growing teen years. Sleeping on the stomach is never recommended. It will take a little time to adjust to a different sleeping position, but you should start soon. How about tonight?

HELP! I'M STARTING TO HAVE COMPLEXION PROBLEMS

DR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and starting to have complexion problems. My grandmother (I live with her) tells me not to worry because all teens get complexion problems and, in time, my face will clear up. I don't want to argue with her, but I think her philosophy is filled with myth.

What should I do? I don't want to have a face full of pimples. — Worried, Detroit, Mich.

WORRIED: Approximately 80 percent of all teenagers sooner or later have some sort of complexion problem. About 75 percent of them, in time, see their complexion clear up, but 25 percent will develop serious forms of skin problems. It's important that you see a dermatologist soon. It could save you much grief and anguish.

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.