DR. WALLACE: I recently moved to my grandmother's house in Irvine, California, because my parents are going through a nasty breakup. Two days before Christmas a girl that I had just met at my new school invited me to go to a big mall in Newport Beach. Her mother was to drop us off and pick us up three hours later. My grandmother agreed that I could go.

The mall was by the ocean and very large and beautiful. My friend and I visited a lot of shops. I bought gifts for my mother and dad and both grandparents. Just before it was time for us to look for her mother we went into a large department store. My friend left me for a while in the shoe department where I was looking at new shoes.

When she returned she told me that it was time to meet her mother so we had to hurry. But when we left the store, a man came up to us and told us to follow him. He took us into a back room where two ladies asked my friend to open up a bag that she was carrying. She did and in it was something she hadn't paid for. I was scared to death. My friend started crying and said that she was sorry, but a lady called her mother. When her mother got to the store and found out her daughter had stolen a pair of sunglasses, her mother started crying. I was allowed to call my grandmother to pick me up.

Getting caught shoplifting can be a traumatic occurrence! I can say that I will never, ever, steal anything! After hearing about this terrible experience I would hope I have convinced all the teens who read your column to always pay for what they want and avoid getting into trouble as my friend did. — Nameless, Irvine, Calif.

NAMELESS: Thanks for your excellent advice. Shoplifting is a very serious offense. If convicted, the guilty person can have a criminal record that can hinder future employment.

Some teens shoplift simply for the thrill of it. It's a great source of excitement, - until they get caught!

I'M PREGNANT AND WANT A HEALTHY CHILD

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19 and my husband is 21. Two weeks ago we received wonderful news that we will be parents in six months. I'm going to do everything possible so I can have a healthy baby and I will follow my doctor's advice 100 percent.

My only worry is that three years ago when I was dating a guy who used drugs I smoked about ten marijuana cigarettes, but took no other drugs. I'm sorry that I smoked pot because I really didn't want to. Could my marijuana escapade cause my baby to have any birth defects?

Please answer my question in the newspaper. This really concerns me and I don't want my husband to know that I smoked pot. — Nameless, Chicago, ILL.

NAMELESS: Your brief encounter with marijuana three years ago would have no ill effects on any of your children.

Birth defects caused by drugs or alcohol, occur only when drugs or alcohol are used during the pregnancy.

ASK MOM ABOUT SEX QUESTIONS

DR. WALLACE: I'm 13 and I want many answers to my questions about "The birds and the bees" (sex). I know that some mothers find it hard to discuss sexual matters with their daughters. I'm not sure how my mother stands on this issue. Should I wait a little longer to see if she approaches me on this subject, or should I approach her first? — Nameless, Elizabethtown, Ky.

NAMELESS: Approach mom and tell her that you have some questions regarding sex and that you decided that she was the best person to ask. Chances are good that she will cooperate. If she stalls, ask her to recommend someone else to answer your questions regarding sex. This should stimulate her to listen to your questions and give honest answers.

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@thegreatestgift.com. 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.