DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and a very safe driver. Last week I borrowed my parents' car to go to work because my car was low on gas. When I was ready to come home, I saw that a car had backed into the passenger-side door. I told my dad about it when I got home and he didn't seem too upset.

The following day, he took the car to a repair shop and the bill to fix it was $560. My dad has a $100 deductible insurance policy for collision, so the insurance company would cover $460 of the total. I told him I'd pay the other $100, since I was using the car when it was damaged. He said he had to think things over.

I thought he was going to think about whether I should pay the $100, but the next day he floored me by saying I had to pay him the full $560. His reasoning was that he had to pay for the insurance and the company would surely raise his premium because of the claim. I told him this wasn't fair. He said it was and there would be no further discussion.

I work part-time after school and during the summer. He said that he would accept $25 a week until the debt was paid. I think this is outrageous! He's making a $460 profit on my misfortune. I called the insurance company and was told that my dad's premium would not be raised for a dinky $460 payout. I'm not going to discuss this incident with my father any more. I'm going to honor his request. Still, I think I got shafted. After all, I didn't cause the accident. Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself and really should happily pay the extra $460. That's why I'm asking how you see all this.

I know one thing, I'll never ask to use the family car again and I'm going to be upset with my father for many moons. — Nameless, Peoria, Ill.

NAMELESS: I see no reason why your father is making you pay $560 when the insurance company paid $460. Your offer to reimburse your father $100 was more than fair and he should have graciously accepted. Shame on him! I hope he sees the error of his logic and does what any loving and reasonable parent would do — be happy his 17-year-old son offered to pay the deductible so the parent wouldn't be out any money for a "fender-bender" that really wasn't caused by the son's negligence. I would think that dad flunked his Parenting 101 class and should re-enroll!

YOUR ADVICE WAS EXCELLENT

DR. WALLACE: I am responding to a letter from Carla who is 15, pregnant, and afraid to tell her mom.

I, too, became pregnant when I was just 15 because my boyfriend wanted me to "prove" my love. I was afraid to tell my mom and, in fact, I even thought of committing suicide. After exhausting all possible solutions, I finally went to my mom and she became my best friend. Instead of making me feel like a tramp, she was understanding and kind, and did what she could to help me.

A pregnant, scared, unwed teenage girl doesn't need a lecture on what she did wrong. Believe me, she already knows.

My life isn't easy and even though I am only 18, I feel much older and wiser. My son and I are now living with my parents and I look to the future with much optimism.

Thanks, Mom! — Nameless, Tampa, Fla.

NAMELESS: A pregnant, unwed teen might have a better person to turn to than her mother, but I can't imagine who that person would be. Thanks for taking the time to help a fellow teen with your excellent advice!

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.