2008-12-06Teen 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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