DEAR ABBY: I teach and advise first-year students at a college, and one of the most critical problems students have is sleeping through class because they haven't learned to get themselves up in the morning.

Last week, a sophomore student missed a math class at 8 a.m. because her father failed to call her that morning and get her out of bed.

PLEASE advise parents to buy an alarm clock for their children, starting in sixth grade, and make them learn to get themselves out of bed, even if it means suffering the consequences once or twice for being late. Daddy's not going to make that wake-up call forever, and Mom shouldn't have to serve as the alarm clock for kids over 12 years of age. We'd appreciate students who can at least do that much for themselves -- and I'm sure their future employers would too. -- FRUSTRATED ADVISER IN THE U.S.A.

DEAR ADVISER: I'm pleased to help spread the message. Parents, the longer bad habits are ignored, the harder they are to break. Sometimes it's necessary to use "tough love" to teach children self-reliance and independence. Do it now, while the penalties they will have to pay for their mistakes are still minor. By the time they're out of the nest, it's too late.

DEAR ABBY: I recently began dating this guy, "Don," I met a few months ago. For the most part, he's good to me. The problem is I have strong feelings for him, but I'm not sure he feels the same way.

Don says he loves me, and he does treat me wonderfully -- something I've always wanted -- but I have this nagging feeling that "something" will go wrong. I don't know where this stems from. I feel myself starting to fall in love with him, but I don't know if I should because he has been married four times already. Please help me. I don't want to lose him. -- HOLDING BACK IN OHIO

DEAR HOLDING BACK: The "nagging feeling" you described may be your common sense telling you to put on the brakes before giving your whole heart. Let's face it, this man has a terrible track record when it comes to commitment. Get to know him a lot better before planning a future with him. This is one of those cases where only time will tell -- lots and lots of time.

DEAR ABBY: I'm about to have my first baby. I'm very excited about it. People ask if I'm nervous about giving birth. To tell you the truth, the only part of labor and delivery I'm afraid of is the fact that my mother-in-law insists on being there.

I agreed when she first asked me, but I have changed my mind, and I'm wondering how I can avoid having her there when the time comes. I actually find myself praying for a C-section because then she cannot be there.

How should this be handled? Should we tell her before the birth, or should we just call her after the baby is born with the good news? -- TRAPPED IN SOUTH CAROLINA

DEAR TRAPPED: If you can't find the courage to tell your mother-in-law beforehand that you have changed your mind, discuss that fact with your OB/GYN, and specify that you want only your husband with you during labor and delivery. Your doctor can make sure your wishes are carried out.

To order "How to Write Letters for All Occasions," send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: I have an enormous problem and need a woman's input, and that's you. I realized recently that I have abused my wife, "Doreen," for years.

I never hit her and I never cheated, but I had many frustrations inside and I took them out on her verbally. I never realized what I was doing to her emotionally. A few months ago, it happened again -- I yelled at her. After a weekend of crying, Doreen came to the conclusion that she didn't need the aggravation anymore. Our marriage is in deep trouble.

Abby, Doreen is my life. I worship her, I really do. I love her and I'm IN love with her. I always have been and I always will be. I'm seeing a counselor. It is going well, and Doreen has agreed to go, too, both alone and with me.

Although we have been intimate recently, she shows me very little affection or attention, and says very little to me. I understand she needs time and her own space, and I'm trying hard to give that to her, but she means so much to me that I want to be around her as much as possible. I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest. My doctor told me I am clinically depressed. I need her back in my life, but even more, I need to be back in HER life and heart. I am anxiously awaiting your reply. -- HEARTBROKEN IN N.Y.

DEAR HEARTBROKEN: When people are diagnosed as clinically depressed, it means their brain chemistry is out of whack. Before you can heal your marriage, you will have to heal yourself because your depression -- and not your frustration -- may have been the cause of your ugly outbursts. I understand that you feel awful right now, but it may be necessary to reorganize your priorities.

Pushing and crowding your wife out of your own insecurity is unwise. Although you may not realize it, being beaten down can be as damaging to the target as being beaten up. In fact, the effects can be more long-lasting if the person is told repeatedly that he or she doesn't measure up.

Your wife's feeling for you may not be dead as much as completely numbed. She's cooperating to the best of her ability by seeing your therapist -- and that's a hopeful sign. Your best bet is to do everything you can to make yourself better, listen to your therapist, and take your relationship with Doreen one day at a time.

DEAR ABBY: In a few months, some good friends of mine will be getting married. I am in the bridal party. The problem is, my ex-fiance is one of the groomsmen. My ex and I did not break up well, nor have we had any contact since I moved out.

Because my ex is not the best man, I don't really need to deal with him during the coming months or during the wedding. However, I'm afraid it might be uncomfortable for me during such things as the reception dinner, the picture-taking, etc.

I don't want to distress the bride and groom, not this close to the wedding. How should I handle it if he should make things uncomfortable, other than as politely as possible? -- CONCERNED IN TROY, N.Y.

DEAR CONCERNED: I'm sure the bride and groom are well aware of the circumstances of your breakup. Therefore, it would not be out of line to suggest to whoever is handling the seating at the reception that you would prefer not to sit near our former fiance. Be cordial in your interactions with him, but don't linger or allow him to start a serious conversation, and you should be able to make it through the occasion without a scene.

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DEAR READERS: Today is April Fools' Day, and in honor of the occasion, I thought I'd share with you some unusual letters I've received. Anyone who reads my column knows that letters can be funny because of the content, but sometimes they are also amusing because of the spelling. Cross my heart, these are all real. Read on:

DEAR ABBY: I am 18 years old and I have a 6-month-old child. If you're thinking that I wasn't ready for that, you are correct. But I agreed to try my hardest at being a father.

Recently, though, rumors of my ex-girlfriend cheating on me reached my ears. By the time I heard, we had been broken up for nearly three months. Rumors of the child not being mine have also gotten back to me.

I am taking one of those maternity tests in May, and if the results come out negative, the child might not be mine. How should I talk to my ex if the child isn't mine? I'm worried about confronting her. -- WORRIED IN MONTANA

DEAR WORRIED: If the results are negative, it may not be necessary for you to confront her. In fact, it might be better if your lawyer did it for you. (The consultation may be expensive, but believe me, it will be worth every penny.)

DEAR ABBY: My brother is bipolar and sometimes says and does things that are off-the-wall. He thinks someone steals his whole-kernel corn and leaves the cream-style.

To make a long story short, I keep missing whole-kernel corn from my pantry, and I know who's doing it as a practical joke. But how do I handle the situation without coming across as crazy? -- JOANN FROM TEXAS

DEAR JOANN: Buy frozen corn -- and hope the guilty party doesn't check your freezer.

DEAR ABBY: I have a sister-in-law, "Mary." We have known each other for years. Mary lives in California, but she often sends us e-mail, and each time she does she always misspells my name as "Ritha." (My name is Rita!) I have tried pointing this out, but she continues to do it. How can I make it clear that my name is spelt Rita without appearing too rude? -- RITA IN NEW YORK

DEAR RITA: Because you have already spoken to your sister-in-law about it, you might be able to get your message across if you start spelling her name "Marye" or "Marey." Or, you can decide that what's in the message is more important than how your name is "spelt." I recommend the latter.

DEAR ABBY: This is a warning for any visitor to Illinois who is unfortunate enough to use the rest stops -- DON'T!

In case you find it absolutely necessary, here are some tips: Be prepared! Bring your own toilet paper. You can hook it on the door on the purse hanger. A bucket, some cleaning solution and a mop would also be convenient if the person ahead of you was not considerate.

In addition, I believe the women of Illinois should bring their used catalogs and newspapers and supply these ladies rooms for the unfortunate and unprepared. Since someone in this state is of an "outhouse" mentality, it would temporarily ease the problem.

I know the governor is trying to save money, and probably some fool thinks this is the answer. May the guilty party be cursed by desperately attempting to remove enough toilet paper and be rewarded with a square inch -- as I was! -- OUTRAGED IN ILLINOIS

DEAR OUTRAGED: I'm printing your plea and your warning. But if anyone in the administration is trying to save money by skimping on toilet paper in the women's rest rooms, I can tell you this -- it's not a woman.

For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more attractive person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)