DR. WALLACE: I need your advice. I'm 19, married and the mother of a 6-month-old baby girl. I was pregnant before I got married and the baby's father married me when he found out I was going to have a baby. I commend him for that. He is a great father and a good husband. He has a good job and has no problem supporting his family

My problem is that after being married for 10 months, I don't think I love my husband. When I'm at home with him, I find myself wanting to go out with other guys. I feel trapped, and I don't like that feeling. My husband loves me very much, and I'm sorry that I can't return his love. What should I do? — Nameless, Reno, Nev.

NAMELESS: Nobody said it was easy to have a successful marriage. It takes total dedication by both husband and wife to make a marriage grow into a loving relationship. You are very young and inexperienced, both as a mother and a wife. Be thankful that you have a husband who loves you and is a great father and a good provider.

You must recall the reasons you were attracted to your husband when you first started dating, and remember the fun you had together before your life changed with the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood. Arrange for a sitter and set aside time to go out for dinner and dancing or a movie with your husband to recapture the magic you once felt with him. And remember that he, too, has had to make adjustments and may be feeling "left out" because you must share your time with the baby whereas he was once your "beau" and was used to your full attention.

Do everything in your power to see that your family is nurtured by love and devotion. Don't be misled by the "wonderful" outside world. It isn't so wonderful. You owe it to your baby daughter, your husband and yourself to do everything within your power to give your marriage a chance to succeed. Believe me, it will be worth your time, effort, and sacrifice. Please contact me later and let me know how things are going.

WISE UP AND DUMP THIS GUY

DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and love a guy who is 24. We have to be very secretive about our relationship because of our age difference. I can't be seen with him ever so we only see each other after the sun goes down about three times a week. We usually wind up at his house (yes, we're sexually active) for a couple of hours because I've got a 10 p.m. curfew on week nights and 11 p.m. on weekends.

Before you complain about our age difference, let me tell you that he really cares a lot about me. He encourages me to study and get good grades and he makes me believe in myself. I used to be an immature teen. Now, I consider myself a mature young woman.

Do you see anything wrong with this relationship? — Nameless, Orlando, Fla.

NAMELESS: I see everything wrong with this relationship. First of all, you are being used by a guy who is committing statutory rape - which is a criminal act. Secondly, your direction should come from your parents, not someone who is taking advantage of you. This guy didn't transform you into a mature young lady. If he had, you would have realized that you were in a no-win situation.

Wise up and dump this guy immediately before you get yourself into a situation that you can't handle!

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.