DR. WALLACE: I'm a guy who is 16, and my parents are always upset with me because I move slowly in the morning. It's hard for me to wake up right away, so I snooze a bit and then I don't always have enough time to walk the half-mile to my school to be there for the bell in my first class.

I've told my parents that if they would get me a motorized bicycle, I could be on time every single day. My mom seemed to at least think about this idea, but when we both discussed it with my father, his answer was "Absolutely not!" So now I'm still stuck with my tardiness problem and soon I'll be in real trouble at school since I've already been late about a half-dozen times so far this year. I know in my gut that I need a bike. How can I convince my dad to get me one? — Often Tardy, via email

OFTEN TARDY: I agree with your father on this issue. Your tardiness has much more to do with your sense of personal discipline than it does with not having a motorized bicycle.

You need to get to bed at a reasonable hour that will allow you enough time to sleep long enough to be rested. This way you'll be able to get out of bed upon waking instead of continually snoozing longer.

Second, if you want a bicycle to get to school, why don't you ask your parents if you can do some extra chores or work to earn a little money to buy a used "regular" bicycle that you could ride to school? Today's new motorized bicycles are indeed quite expensive, but I trust you can find an "old school" regular bike that you can pedal to school using your own power. You'd also get a bit of exercise early in the morning, which could help you be more alert early in your day.

I'M SHOCKED HE NEVER NOTIFIED ME ABOUT THIS!

DR. WALLACE: I'm a guy who is a senior in high school. I've had a great best friend for the last three years. We've played on sports teams together and taken vacations together, and we hang out and have fun all the time.

So, I was really shocked to hear from people at my school that he's currently dating my ex-girlfriend! I'm so surprised that I don't know what to say to him. I can't believe that he never mentioned her to me even though he has had many opportunities to do so.

From what I heard, they've been dating for over three weeks now! The good news on my end is that after we broke up four months ago, I met another girl who has been my girlfriend for two and a half months now. Even though I'm "taken," I'm still a bit put off by this news. Why do you think he's been hiding this from me? — He's Dating My Ex, via email

HE'S DATING MY EX: I'd say he was very nervous about this and did not want to risk having you get upset with him. But yet he proceeded anyway, which likely indicates that he cares enough about her to risk you becoming upset.

The good news is that you've moved on from her and you are in a steady new relationship. Therefore, I suggest you let him know that you heard the news and that you can understand why he was hesitant to notify you.

Assuming he's a friend that you'd like to keep, this situation presents you with an opportunity to be gracious. When you next see him and inform him that you are aware they are dating, let him know that as your close friend he can come to you with anything at all. Smile, put him at ease and strengthen your friendship with him. It could be that they will date for a long time, or they may part at some point. The question is, do you value his friendship enough to not get upset that he didn't notify you in advance? After all, you were not dating her and you had also moved on to a new relationship.

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.

Photo credit: KBO Bike at Unsplash