DR. WALLACE: I met Rick at a concert. He was sweet, so I gave him my phone number when he asked me for it. He called the next day and we went to a movie on our first date. We both had a lot of fun, so we decided to go out again. Since then we have dated at least a dozen times and we have had super times together.

I'm 17 and Rick is 19, or so he said. Last night he told me he wasn't 19. In fact, he's 23 and divorced. He's the father of two sons who now live with his ex-wife. I was stunned when he told me all this. I really care for this guy, but I'm really upset that he lied to me about his age because I would have never gone out with him in the first place if I had known.

My parents think he is 19 and they'd be very upset if they knew he was 23 and the father of two. My friend thinks I should just keep dating him and not say anything to my parents about this. She told me her dad is 15 years older than her mom and they are happily married. What do you think I should do? — Eden, Dayton, Ohio.

EDEN: I think you know what to do. You just want me to tell you to confirm your decision. So I'm telling you to stop dating this guy! Not only is he too old for you, but he has too much baggage attached for you to even think about getting involved with him. That would not be a wise decision and he also knows this and that's the reason he chose to tell you the truth.

A good rule for dating situations is to avoid a romance that would cause your parents to be very upset!

HE STEPPED ON HER FEET AND SHE NEEDED A BREAK

DR. WALLACE: When Jeff asked me out I said yes and we went to a dance at his church. When another guy also asked me to dance a couple of times I said yes, but I had no idea that it would make Jeff mad. I really had no romantic interest in the other guy but I just love to dance and he was a very good dancer. Well, it did make Jeff mad and when the dance ended, he grabbed my arm and said, "Let's get out of here." He didn't say another word, and just took me straight home and took off without saying goodnight. He hasn't called me since the dance and I don't think he will.

I don't know what made him think he owned me, but I wouldn't go out with him again because I can dance with anyone I want to dance with. He told me that I shouldn't have danced with any other guys without asking him first. I told him he doesn't own me and I wouldn't have been mad if he had danced with another girl while I danced with the other guy.

In fact, I would have been glad to have him dance with another girl because I was tired of him stepping all over my feet! I don't need any advice, I just wanted to let both girls and guys know that it isn't necessary to ask the other for "permission" for anything. Please print my letter. I'd like to hear your reaction. — Nameless, Salt Lake City, Utah.

NAMELESS: I'm aware that many readers will disagree with me, however... Since you like to dance and chances were good that you would enjoy dancing with a few different partners, you should have discussed this with Jeff before you went to the dance with him.

If he said that he would prefer you not to dance with other guys, you should have honored his request or told him, "Thanks, but no thanks" when he asked you out.

I'll enjoy hearing from the readers who agree or disagree with me and it's even possible that they may get me to change my mind.

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.