DR. WALLACE: I'm 17 and very busy with school activities. I'm president of the pep club, secretary of the senior class, vice president of the Art club and an active member of the Young Democrats for a Better America group. I also am a member of the girls soccer team. As you can see, I'm a very busy teen.
I have a married sister and a brother who is in his second year at Princeton University. I also have a sister who is 10 months old. My mother calls this little one her "love baby." Mom was 44 when she was born. I love my little sister passionately. She is just starting to walk, and she is the cutest little bundle of joy in Massachusetts.
Mom is what you would call a "socialite," and she belongs to a lot of groups that promote a clean environment and help find shelter for the homeless. All these endeavors are necessary, and my mom gets a lot of satisfaction from her work. Mom also belongs to a bridge club, and she plays every Wednesday evening.
Being active in school activities causes me to sometimes get home late after school, and sometimes, I am required to attend activities in the evening. These meetings are always held at a student's house. Since little sis was born, I have been relegated to be the No. 1 babysitter when Mom is out doing her thing. I don't mind, except when it conflicts with a regular school activity I have scheduled. When that occurs, I lose. Mom says she can't trust leaving our little one with a stranger. My dad is rarely home, so he can't be counted on to help.
I know Mom reads your column because she comments on it several times a week, usually at breakfast — and especially if one of the writer's problems is similar to mine. There are many experienced and dedicated babysitters available in Boston, and I feel it's time my mom calls one.
I'm in the 11th grade and do not want to look forward to babysitting for the rest of the school year and again all of next year. I'll be attending a university after high school, so I assume Mom will be forced to use a sitter then. Please give me your comments. This is a very serious situation for me. — Anonymous, Boston
ANONYMOUS: Mom is relying on you, it seems to me, just a tad too much.
I understand her predicament. You're a loving, responsible young lady, and that makes you the best person to care for your little sister in Mom's absence. Nevertheless, it's hardly fair for you to have to shortchange your high school career so that your mother has the leisure to play bridge or even engage in multiple community projects, as worthy as they are.
Because she chooses to spend so many evenings away from home, it's time for her to find a reliable babysitter or two to step up when you, also, are busy. Whenever possible, of course, you should care for your sister. But when doing so interferes with school activities, Mom should definitely employ another qualified sitter.
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.
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