DR. WALLACE: I'm 14 and live alone with my mother. Lately, she's been very edgy because her boyfriend (my parents are divorced) just broke up with her. Whenever I do something that gets her upset, she screams at me. For the past two days, I've screamed back at her and that causes her to start crying and it makes me feel terrible. I love my mom very much. She's a wonderful mother and I know she loves me, too. What can I do to make things better? — Nameless, Lake Charles, La.

NAMELESS: It's good that you realize Mom is going through an emotional letdown. Tell her you love her and will do everything in your power to make her feel better. This weekend, invite her out for a snack and a chat. Mom needs your compassion and understanding now more than ever. If she does yell at you again, simply say you're sorry, and don't raise your voice — not even one little decibel!

It will take time, but things will return to normal.

PLEASE STOP BUGGING YOUR SISTER

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have dated a lot of jerks. Right now, I'm dating a guy who is real nice. I enjoy going out with him because he treats me very well and I enjoy being treated like a lady. I really don't like my boyfriend in a romantic way and he knows it because I've told him so. Our only physical contact is an occasional goodnight kiss. I really don't want to go out with any other guy and I'm completely happy and satisfied dating him. We always have fun when we're together.

My sister thinks I'm wasting my time dating the guy and actually doing him wrong. Every day she bugs me about it. I'm sure you'll agree with me, so I'm asking you to tell my sister to stop bugging me and bug off. — Amy, Talladega, Ala.

AMY'S SISTER: Amy enjoys going out with this boy who is well aware that romance is out of the question. Since they are happy with this arrangement, neither one is wasting the other's time, so will you please stop bugging your sister? Thank you.

PARENTS SHOULD NOT SELECT TEEN'S FRIENDS

DR. WALLACE: My parents never like the kids I hang out with. It's true that some of them have been in a bit of trouble, but they're not really bad. I still like them and consider them my friends.

My problem is that my mom doesn't like me to be friends with them. She is always saying, "Why don't you stop hanging around with Pam and Ashley, and start making friends with Megan, that nice new girl at school?"

Well, I don't make friends with Megan because I really don't like her, and I don't think I ever will. You once wrote that it was unwise for parents to choose friends for their children. Please tell this to my mother. I want her to hear it from you. — Nameless, DeKalb, Ill.

NAMELESS: I do believe that parents should not select friends for their children, but I also think they should have a voice (and a veto) regarding those teens their son or daughter is hanging around with. It doesn't take long before a teen can go astray because of peer pressure.

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@galesburg.net. 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.