DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and my cousin, who lives a few miles away, is 17 and we are close friends. Last week she called and told me that a friend of hers saw my picture, thought I was cute, and wanted me to take her to her school's Winter Formal. I asked my cousin to rate her looks from 1 to 10. She told me her friend was a 9-plus. I said I'd take her to her dance because I'm about a 9-plus myself and figured we'd make a striking couple.

I then called "Laurie" and we met for a pre-dance date and a chance to meet one another. When I saw her I nearly cried. She was far from a 9-plus. In fact, she would be lucky to be rated a 5. I've already committed to going to the dance with her, but now I don't want to go. What's a good way to get out of this predicament honorably? — Nameless, Springfield, Mass.

NAMELESS: The only thing that's 9-plus about you is the size of your inflated ego. Go to the dance, treat your date with respect, and have a good time. And if your enormous sense of self-importance hinders you from having fun — fake it!

TELL MOM AND DAD THAT YOU LOVE THEM

DR. WALLACE: My mother and father are on the verge of getting a divorce. They rarely say anything nice about each other and when they discuss something, they always wind up in a humongous argument.

I'm an only child. I love my mother and father very much and I'm becoming very depressed about the possibility the family might break up. I used to be an honor roll student, but now I'm just an average student who doesn't care much about grades.

What can I do to help make things at home better? — Nameless, Sulphur, La.

NAMELESS: I'm very sorry to hear about the tough spot you're in. There's no painless way to go through a divorce. But first of all, you must remember that you are in no way responsible for the problems your parents are having, and at no time should you be asked, or pressured, to take the side of one against the other.

Too often when a couple is at odds, they're so caught up in their own anger or unhappiness, they fail to consider how their children feel, or recognize the psychological damage they might be causing.

You may not be able to keep your parents together, but you can tell Mom and Dad that you love them both and that you would like for the family to remain intact. Believe me, this will cause them to think. And that's very important!

There are times when a divorce is inevitable and may be best for all concerned, including the children. But in some families with conflict, professional counseling, along with a will to have the marriage succeed, and the wisdom and love of the children, can provide the foundation for a happy, functional family.

Cut out this column and tape it to the refrigerator so Mom and Dad can read your letter.

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 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.