Teen Needs to Move with Family to New City

DR. WALLACE: I've got a huge dilemma. My father has been transferred to Phoenix starting after the holiday season. If he refuses to go, he will lose his job so he has to move offices.

I'm in my third year of high school. I'm active in student government and president of our French Club. I also will be on our girls' softball team in the spring. As you can see, I don't want to leave my high school.

I can live with my grandparents who live in town, finishing this year and next school year in Santa Fe, N.M. Of course, I would spend the summer in Phoenix with my family. My family doesn't like this idea, but I'm sure they could change their mind if you would agree with me. Please, pretty please. — Mandy, Santa Fe, N.M.

MANDY: Being a former high school principal, I fully understand your dilemma. If you had just one year until graduation, I would encourage your parents to let you finish that year and graduate with your classmates. But a year and a half is just too long to be separated from your parents. You are a cherished member of your family and the long separation is too great a sacrifice.

Phoenix has a marvelous school system; it won't take you long to adjust and become a student leader there as well. I should know — I taught at Phoenix Union High School and was the varsity basketball coach.

TEEN SHOULD KEEP CHURCH DATE WITH GUY FRIEND

DR. WALLACE: I have a simple problem, but I'm having a complex time trying to make the right decision. A guy at my church asked me to go to an upcoming church function about a month ago, and I told him yes. The guy is nice, but there could never be anything romantic between us. Don't get me wrong, he's not a nerd or anything like that, and I do like him as a friend. This event takes place about three weeks from now.

Since I agreed to go with Bruce, I've met Jack — I really love him and want to be with him every spare moment. Now comes decision time. Should I still go to the function with the guy at church, or should I tell him I’m in love with Jack and would rather not go with him? He still has a few weeks to find another date.

Jack said that he doesn't really care if I go to the church function, but deep down I think he wants me to go out with him that night and that's what I really want to do. My brother thinks I should keep my church date, but my sister says to call him and break the date. My parents are leaving it up to me.

What's your advice? — Erin, Salt Lake City.

ERIN: You accepted an invitation to attend a church function with a nice guy who is a friend. Go to that function with him with the idea of having an enjoyable time.

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 rwallace@galesburg.net. 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.

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