DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and live alone with my mother. My parents were divorced four years ago. I haven't seen my father since the divorce because he moved to Florida, but he keeps in touch with me on my birthday and all other special occasions.

This past Christmas he sent me $1000 to use for my college expenses and said that he would continue supporting me financially when I'm in college. I'd like to invite him to my high school graduation. I'm not even sure he would come; still, I'd like to invite him. My mom says it's up to me, but she would rather I didn't.

What should I do? I love my mother very much, but I also love my father. —Nameless, Toledo, Ohio.

NAMELESS: Since your mother says it's up to you, and you would like to invite your father to your high school graduation, by all means, invite him. Even if he can't come, he will have appreciated the fact that you have invited him.

IT'S TIME TO END THE RELATIONSHIP

DR. WALLACE: I'm 20 and have been dating a guy who is 22, for a year and a half. He's a great guy and I care for him a lot, but he has a drinking problem, although I don't think he's an alcoholic. Last week, he was arrested for the second time for drunk driving after causing a collision. Thank goodness no one was seriously injured.

My parents are furious that I'm dating him because of his drinking problem. They're afraid I'll be injured or killed while riding with him. I try hard to get him to lay off the alcohol when I'm with him, but so far he hasn't paid any attention to me. However, he doesn't drink nearly as much when I am with him as he does when he is out with his buddies.

I truly understand why my parents want me to dump him, but his mom wants me to stay with him because she thinks I'm good for him. In fact, she thinks I'm the only one who can get him to stop drinking. I also like his mom very much. What do you think I should do? —Confused, Lake Charles, La.

CONFUSED: If a major reason you're dating this guy is to cure him of his habitual drinking, then it's time to end the relationship. You haven't succeeded after a year and a half, so what makes you think things will change down the road?

The only person who can get this guy to stop drinking is himself. When you tell him goodbye, make sure you give him the telephone number of the closest Alcoholics Anonymous group and encourage him to call them for help.

SHE WILL ENJOY A DOUBLE DATE SET-UP

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have a steady boyfriend. My 17-year-old sister has never been on a date in her entire life, though she has told me she would enjoy dating. She is dateless because she is super shy.

My boyfriend's older brother is 19, and he thinks my sister is cute and wants to ask her out. When he asked my opinion, I told him to call her. He did, but she said, "No, thanks." She told me she would like to go out with Dave, but she feels uneasy about starting to date and is afraid to go out with him.

Both my sister and Dave are good people and I know they would be great together. What can I do to get them together? Please hurry with your answer. —Shelly, from somewhere in Utah.

SHELLY: You might suggest that the four of you double-date so your sister and Dave can get acquainted with each other before they face the high-pressure ordeal of going out alone. Also, ask your parents to encourage your sister to accept a date with Dave. Your sister is simply afraid of the unknown. I think she'll feel much more comfortable with the double-date set-up.

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.