DR. WALLACE: The advice you gave the 19-year-old girl whose parents would not allow her to date was excellent. Moving from under the family umbrella is the best solution.

I suffered a similar situation. I was 19 and my parents wouldn't permit me to go on dates and I had a 10 p.m. curfew. I talked with my parents until I was blue in the face, but they wouldn't change their minds. Then one day I told them I'd had enough and I was going to move in with my best friend and her husband - and I did.

The next day, my father phoned and begged me to return home and promised that I would have all the freedom I wanted. Rather than running home that instant, I told him it would take me a couple of days to think things over. Three days after he called, I returned and my parents have treated me with respect and trust ever since. — Nameless, Lake Charles, La.

NAMELESS: Some parents find it extremely difficult to relax their authority and let go, even after a child has graduated from high school and begun working. They feel if they don't continue to monitor the child's behavior, he or she won't be safe.

Simply stated, your parents were smothering you with their love. The shock of having a child assert her independence by moving away often causes the parents to wake up and reevaluate their strictness. Permanent estrangement can result if they don't. I'm glad things worked out between you and your parents.

DAD CAN CONTROL HIS ALCOHOL DRINKING

DR. WALLACE: I don't believe in drinking alcohol and neither does my mother. I wish my dad felt the same way. For the past two years, dear old Dad has had one, and sometimes two, whiskeys every Friday evening. He says he needs to unwind from a hard week at the office. I'll admit he doesn't drink at any other time that I know of, and I have never seen him drunk, but my mom and I think he's close to becoming an alcoholic.

Isn't it true that alcoholics usually drink at regular times just to relax? What can we do to get him to stop this very bad habit? — Angel, Fort Worth, Tex.

ANGEL: Drinking alcohol is a bad habit regardless of the reason, and it would be wonderful if your father never had another drop the rest of his life, but one or two drinks per week is not even close to being an alcoholic.

Your father is probably a social drinker. That is, he can control his drinking. The alcoholic cannot control his drinking. Keep reminding Dad that it would be better for him if he stopped drinking altogether, but don't allow your "persuasion" to start an argument.

BECAUSE I SAID SO

DR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and still not allowed to wear any type of makeup whatsoever. I'm sure I'm the only 15-year-old girl in the state of Georgia who can't wear a little eye shadow or lip gloss. When I ask my mom why I can't wear a little makeup, all she ever says is, "Because I said so."

Is there anything wrong with wearing makeup if it's applied properly and not overdone? Also, why do you think my mom always says no when I bring up the subject? — Cindy, Columbus, Ga.

CINDY: Wearing makeup signals that one is no longer a child and can be considered a young lady. Many parents are reluctant to permit makeup use because they can't accept the fact that their daughters are growing up.

I see nothing wrong with someone your age using makeup in moderation, for practical reasons; to blend skin tones, cover blemishes or to highlight attractive features. But if the prime reason to use makeup is to look older and bolder — then wait a little longer!

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.