DR. WALLACE: I'm 16, an honors student, and I've got a major problem — I'm pregnant! The father-to-be is my 16-year-old boyfriend. We are both confused and don't know what to do.

My boyfriend said I should go to a clinic and have an abortion before anyone is aware of my condition. That might sound simple, but the thought of having an abortion sends shivers down my spine. I need to talk to someone real soon so I can make a good decision.

I'd like to talk with my mom, but I know she will become very emotional and be very disappointed. Our family is well-known in our community and she will have a hard time with this.

What should I do? Please hurry with your response. — Nameless, Kansas City, Mo.

NAMELESS: My heart goes out to you and I urge you to reach out to Mom and Dad as the best possible sources of guidance, support, and love under these difficult circumstances. Believe me, you will need them. Maybe your mom will be emotional at first, but she'll pull herself together and help you make the right decision.

Please read the following letter from a reader. The advice she offers is the same that I would give you, but she speaks from experience and greater authority:

DR. WALLACE: I'm 20 and I don't have a problem, but I feel I have an obligation to my fellow teens, and I'm sure my story will help some of them.

When I was 16, I attended a private, all-girls school and at the same time I was going steady with a very intelligent guy who helped me study for tests many times.

One night when my parents were away I invited him over because I had a French test the next day. Well, to make a long story short, after studying for 10 minutes we started fooling around and the next thing I knew we were having sex. Call it a female's intuition, but the instant we finished I just knew I was pregnant.

About 10 weeks later I confirmed it, but I couldn't tell anyone because it was against school rules for pregnant girls to be enrolled. Also, I was a good athlete and didn't want to quit playing basketball. After basketball came softball and I was the star pitcher. Still, I didn't tell anyone except my boyfriend because I wasn't getting too large in the stomach area.

Then one afternoon at softball practice I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. I was in danger of dying and so was my baby. With the grace of God and the help of my parents, this did not happen. That July I gave birth to a baby boy and gave him up for adoption. He is now in a loving home.

I am now a sophomore in college and I'm still involved in sports. I'm healthy and happy and thank God every day that he spared the lives of my baby and me.

My big mistake was that I didn't tell my parents that I was pregnant. Even though I knew they would find out, I kept my mouth shut — for many reasons. I was afraid, embarrassed, and I wanted to stay in school and play sports.

So girls, if you find yourself pregnant, unwed, confused and frightened, tell your parents immediately! It's the best way; it's the only way. Take it from a girl who knows. — Thankful, Phoenix, Ariz.

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. E-mail 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.

Photo credit: Donnie Ray Jones