DR. WALLACE: When I was growing up my parents were full-blown alcoholics and they were always fighting, and they still do. As a result, my childhood was not a pleasant experience. When I turned 18, I foolishly married a 32-year-old guy just to get away from my dysfunctional parents.

From the beginning, it was a troubled marriage, and it lasted a little over two years, but I have a beautiful little daughter from the marriage. I am now 22 and married to a wonderful man who is 24 and truly loves me and my little girl very much. We also plan to have a couple of children of our own.

My ex-husband moved to Mexico and never once came to see the baby and only paid child support for a short time before he moved. I just found out a few days ago that he was killed in a drunk-driving accident. His mother called and told me the sad news and that she was sorry she didn't become a part of my daughter's life sooner. She would like to make up for lost time and be a part of her life now. I told her I'd think about it and call her back.

I decided that I really didn't want her to be part of our lives because I really never liked her. My husband and I talked it over and he says that this lady is my daughter's grandmother, and as long as she behaves herself she should be a part of her granddaughter's life.

Now we would like your opinion regarding what would be best for our daughter and we both agreed to abide by your decision. — Rosa, Nogales, Ariz.

ROSA: You might be inconvenienced, but it would be in your daughter's best interest to have a happy, healthy, loving relationship with her grandmother. You can take it a step at a time and let your ex-mother-in-law visit with her granddaughter. If the visit is positive, she can see her again. But if for any reason the meetings seem to be detrimental to your daughter, Grandmother's visiting rights can be terminated.

YOUR GRANDMOTHER IS AN ANGEL

DR. WALLACE: I'd like to inform parents who have teens who suffer from depression to take it very seriously and see that they receive professional counseling. Depression should not be taken lightly or viewed as simply a phase that will be outgrown.

I was depressed for six years and for three of those years I was suicidal. My parents chose to ignore it. As a result, I tried to kill myself when I was in the ninth grade. (I am now in my first year of college.) Depression often turns to suicidal feelings, and there are a lot more teens who feel suicidal than parents would care to admit.

Teens and parents: If you know a friend or family member who suffers from depression, see that this person gets professional help immediately. Very often the depressed person is not capable of finding help for himself.

I might still suffer from depression if my grandmother hadn't taken me to a therapist. Thanks, Nana! — Nameless, Somewhere in Illinois.

NAMELESS: I'm a firm believer that the vast majority of grandmothers are angels on earth. Your Nana is one of them!

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.

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