DR. WALLACE: I'm writing to tell you about my mom, Phyllis. She is the most wonderful mom in the entire world. Mom is so loving, kind and sweet and always finds time to help me with all of my problems, big and small. And all my friends like to come over to my house because my mom is always nice to them, too.

It makes me feel really sad when I hear about other kids who are abused and neglected by their parents. I just wish that they could know my mother and that she could touch their lives. Every night I give thanks for my wonderful mom, and my wonderful dad, too. I am truly blessed. — Ginny, Tulsa, Okla.

GINNY: Sometimes we in the media (both newspapers and television) get so caught up with the problems of family life that we forget to recognize all the wonderful moms and dads who quietly and effectively dispense kindness and love to their children.

Thanks for writing such a lovely — and loving — letter, Ginny. And, congratulations to your Mom and Dad! They represent the very best in parenting!

FIND A GUY WITH CHARACTER

DR. WALLACE: Ken and I have been dating for over two years. I like (not love) him a lot and we have good times together. But he is still a "work in progress." He has been in trouble with the law several times (drunk driving, cocaine possession) and currently is on probation. His father is in prison and his mother is nowhere to be found.

My parents despise Ken and keep telling me to get rid of him. I want to continue trying to help him straighten out his life. If he ever does, he might be "a keeper." Also, his grandmother and I are very close and she feels that I am a good influence on him and wants me to continue seeing him. She raised him and he even calls her "Mom." What do you think I should do? — Carly, Reno, Nev.

CARLY: It sounds like you're dating Ken as much for his grandmother's sake as for his, and just maybe to exert some independence from your parents. I don't blame them for being upset about this relationship. He's pure trouble from their point of view.

If you're dating Ken as a "social experiment" and thinking that you may be able to straighten him out, then forget it. This is a one-sided relationship with your role being to act as a constant nag. To improve his life, his motivation to change has to come from within. From your letter, I don't sense that it does.

I'd advise you to drop Ken and look for a guy with character.

HER BROTHER HAS BROKEN THE ICE

DR. WALLACE: My friend asked me to go out with her brother to "break the ice" because he had never been on a date before. We went out twice and had a good time and are going out again. But now my friend wants me to stop seeing him. She says I've "done my job" and he should date other girls now. The problem is that he wants to date me, and I enjoy going out with him. Help! — Nameless, Rye, N.Y.

NAMELESS: Tell your friend that her brother has "broken the ice and that her friend and her brother have a "warm" relationship and, for now, it's going to remain that way. A good friend should be happy about the outcome of an "icebreaking" adventure!

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.