Find Guy That is Your Intellectual Equal by Dr. Robert Wallace on Creators.com

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I Want Girls to Learn From my Mistake DR. WALLACE: I am not writing to ask for advice. I am writing to help other girls who may be making the same mistake I made. Maybe if I had seen a letter like this a few years ago, my life might be different now. I had a reputation of being easy …Read more. Your Girlfriend was Honest; Respect Her for That DR. WALLACE: Jade and I have been dating for about six months. We have had some really great times. But last week she told me that she no longer wanted to date me because she wanted the opportunity to date others. She also said she no longer had any …Read more. Should I Forgive my Friend? DR. WALLACE: I used to be good friends with Ashley, but no more! Ashley and I were friends since second grade, but for the past year or so, all she did was try to get me in trouble — at school, with my parents, with other friends and even with …Read more. Better Late Than Never DR. WALLACE: Susan was my best friend until a recent incident caused us to end our friendship. Last week, my "friend" brought a bottle of tequila to school, and she and another girl drank some during lunch. After lunch, she asked me to …Read more.

DR. WALLACE: I'm 15 and will be allowed to date next month when I turn 16. I'm really looking forward to my first date, but I must admit that my standards are extremely high. I want to date guys who are at least my intellectual equal, who will laugh at my jokes even when they aren't funny, be caring, loving and kind, and who will respect me as a young woman. I'm not a raving beauty, but I've been told more than once that I'm very attractive.

What's the first thing that I should look for in a guy? — Leanne, Vicksburg, Miss.

LEANNE: Given the rigid standards, you should look for a guy who is your intellectual equal. You can teach a person to laugh at your jokes, to be caring, loving and kind, but you can't teach someone to be intellectual. That trait is handed down by Mother Nature.

HER BEST FRIEND IS MOVING AWAY

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 13-year-old girl and I've got a huge problem. My No. 1 best friend is moving to Georgia in a month. Every time I think about it, I cry myself to sleep. I'm a regular reader of your column and I know that you are going to tell me to get involved in activities and to find other friends, but at the moment I find that a very difficult chore. I'm going to miss my best friend almost as much as I would miss my sister if she was going away. Help! — Nameless, Tupelo, Miss.

NAMELESS: To lose the daily companionship of a best friend is a very unhappy occasion. I understand exactly how you feel. Before your friend moves, set up a plan where you will write, e-mail or phone each other at least twice a week.

I know that you will be curious about her new surroundings and how she is adjusting, and she will be anxious to know how you are doing and to get a little "news" from home. If it is affordable, call one another and chat for 10 minutes. Plan to see each other during summer vacation if it can be arranged with the blessing of the parents.

But, yes, you should get involved in activities at school, church and in the community. They will keep your mind occupied and provide an excellent opportunity to meet and make new friends.

After your friend moves, write to me and let me know how things are going for you.

HELP — MY BROTHER TELLS LIES

DR. WALLACE: I'm 13 and live with my mother and a 7-year-old brother, who tells a lot of lies. How should my mom and I deal with this problem? Josh is a very bright and likeable little boy. — Amanda, Marysville, Calif.

AMANDA: Most young children who lie do so because of wishful thinking or fantasies. Whenever Josh lies, simply let him know that his statement is untrue by saying, "Wouldn't that be wonderful if that were really true?" or "Someday that might just come true." Love, compassion and understanding discourage lies. Deceit and stress encourage people to lie. This is especially true in young children.

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@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.