DR. WALLACE: My parents have always taught me how to drink alcohol sensibly. I am now happily married and pregnant with our first child. My husband and I usually have a glass of wine at dinner. The wine is supposed to help me keep from being a victim of a heart attack and it also aids with digestion. We both enjoy it and we find it very relaxing.

My mother is all shook up that I am drinking a little wine while I'm pregnant. We have had several spats about this. I have had a discussion with my doctor about this and she does not think it would be harmful to either the baby or to me. My mother called my doctor a quack.

My mother always reads your column, so could you please answer my letter and let her know that it will not be harmful to my baby if I sip a glass of wine. — Nameless, Toledo, Ohio.

NAMELESS: I think you have written to the wrong advice columnist! I do not recommend wine for a pregnant mother-to-be. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which stems from a mother's drinking during pregnancy, is a leading cause of birth defects associated with mental retardation. When pregnant, it's smart to err on the side of caution and safety. To my way of thinking, that would mean no alcohol consumption whatsoever!

TAKE MOM'S ADVICE

DR. WALLACE: I'm 16 and have been seeing Mario, who is 17, for over a month. I really like him a lot and would really like us to have a serious relationship. The way it is right now, I only see him twice a week and I would like it to be a lot more. He is best friends with our next-door neighbor, so when he is not with me he usually is over at Orlando's house. I see him over there and I can't be with him, which bothers me a lot.

What do you think I should do? My mom says I should leave things alone and eventually Mario will spend more time with me. My dad said I should tell him to choose: Orlando, or me.

I'm leaning toward the advice from my dad. I talked it over with my best friend (she's not too smart) and she said I should dump Mario. I really don't want to do that but I will if everyone thinks that's the best solution. — Allison, Gila Bend, Ariz.

ALLISON: I strongly suspect that if you follow dad's suggestion, Mario will become history. I agree with Mom's advice. If Mario lived a mile away, you wouldn't be frustrated because you wouldn't always see him with his friend.

Look at the positive side. You are seeing a guy you care for on a steady basis. And he must feel the same about you. Furthermore, you know where he is most of the time when he isn't with you. Many teens would be thrilled to be with their steady twice a week.

If you both enjoy times together, don't be surprised if he starts spending more time with you. Be patient!

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.