DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have never been on a date because I never wanted to go out with a guy, probably because I am very shy. The time has arrived when I think I might enjoy sharing some time with a guy. Several guys at school have shown interest in taking me out. One boy asked me out last year, but I told him that I wasn't interested in dating. He then told me to let him know when I was. I'd like to tell him that I'm ready to date now. He is a very nice guy and I think that I would enjoy going out with him.

My mom doesn't want me to start my dating "career" with someone she hasn't known for over a year. That's why she is insisting that my first date should be with the son of one of her friends. I've seen the boy several times, but I would not be interested in going out with him. Mom has agreed to accept your decision if you put my letter in your column. Should I go out with the son of my mother's friend? Or should I go out with the boy at my school who had asked me out last year and I now want to go out with him? — Nameless, Rye, N.Y.

NAMELESS: I'm not in favor of parents selecting dates for their teens, but I do feel that wise parents should stop their teens from dating those who the parents deem as undesirable.

In your situation you should not date mother's friend's son, but should be allowed to go out with the boy of your choice after your parents have had the opportunity to meet him.

I'M KNOWN AS THE PASTA QUEEN

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and a competitive swimmer with the Irvine Athletic Club. My coach has his swimmers on a high-carbohydrate diet. All the rest of the people in the world are on low-carb diets. When I asked the coach why we should eat a lot of carbs, he said, "because it will make you swim faster."

Now my mom has to make two different meals. She and my dad are on low-carb diets and I'm now known as the pasta queen. Why do carbs help me swim faster? — Kelly, Irvine, Calif.

KELLY: The theory is that a high-carbohydrate diet is "crucial to competitive endurance exercise performance," according to the trifuel.com site, which gives advice on triathlon training. "Energy for endurance exercise is fueled by fats and carbohydrates, with carbohydrate utilization increasing as the intensity of the exercise increases," a researcher says on the site.

I'M REALLY CONFUSED!

DR. WALLACE: Please help me. You are my last hope. I am in a very difficult situation. I am 17 and just found out that I'm pregnant with my boyfriend's child. When I told him, he said it was my problem, not his, and that he didn't want to have anything more to do with me. He told me to get an abortion. I then told my parents about my condition. I thought they would really give me two strong shoulders to lean on, but that isn't the case. They said that I should be ashamed about what I've done and that I've embarrassed them. They want me to have an abortion if I intend to stay at home or I can have the baby, but I've got to move to Los Angeles and live with my older married sister.

I'm really confused. I want to stay here in Reno and have my baby. I'm not really close with my sister. What should I do? Please hurry! — Nameless, Reno, Nev.

NAMELESS: You need to talk with some intelligent adults who can give you the best possible advice so you can make the right choice. Start by talking with your school nurse. After you've had time to sort out all the useful advice, you, and you alone, will have to make that choice.

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.