Should I Live With Mom or Dad?

DR. WALLACE: Please answer my question real soon! My parents were recently separated, and I now live with my mother. My father still lives in the house where our family used to live, but my mother and I moved to an apartment on the other side of Miami. Because of the move, I had to change high schools. I don't mind attending the new school, and I have already made new friends. But my problem is that I was on the softball team at my old school. If I still lived in my old house, I would be the starting shortstop on a very good team. My new high school has a weak athletic program. I could play softball here, but winning is fun and chances are we wouldn't win many games.

If I moved back in with my father, I could be eligible to play for my old school. I love my dad, but I think I would enjoy living with my mother better than living with my dad. What should I do? Please hurry with your opinion. - Female, Miami, Fla.

FEMALE: If you are in the 12th grade and will graduate this coming June, move back with your father until after you graduate. Then move in with your mother. If you are not a senior, stay put. Athletic participation is important, but living with the parent you most enjoy is more important. In athletics, winning is important, but again, participating is more important, and you can participate at your new school and still live with your mother.

WINE WITH DINNER IS CIVIL

DR. WALLACE: I'm 19, and if I had a glass of wine in a fancy restaurant, I'd be in trouble and so would the restaurant. I'm not advocating that those under 21 be allowed to purchase and consume hard liquor (whiskey, gin, vodka, etc.) or even beer, but come on — wine with a meal is a civil act. I read that most European countries allow a lower drinking age. I know Spain is one for sure. What other countries are civil with their minimum drinking age? - Kelly, Plattsburgh. N.Y.

KELLY: Spain allows those 16 and older to consume all types of alcohol and most European countries have a lower minimum drinking age than the United States. It's hard for Americans to understand that teens 16 and older can consume alcohol in Belgium, Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland and Portugal.

It is estimated that over 7,000 American lives per year are spared because our minimum drinking age is 21, and that's over 7,000 reasons to keep it that way!

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.

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