DEAR ABBY: My father paid my mother child support until my twin brother and I turned 18. Then he quit. He said, "It's time for your mother to support you."

Abby, he doesn't understand how much our mother has done for us. She gave us all her time and enormous moral support after he left.

My brother and are both in college, and it's really hard on our mother. She says that according to the law, since we are now 18, Dad is no longer legally responsible for us, but that law is unfair!

I understand that years ago most kids graduated from high school and went to work, but today it's different. Education is vital.

I don't like seeing Mom work two jobs and make sacrifices while my father and his new wife have a new house, a new boat, a new car and lots of vacations. Dad says his financial responsibility to us is over -- we're adults, and we're on our own. If it weren't for a scholarship, we would be unable to attend college.

Abby, is there a way to get our political leaders to change the law to make fathers pay child support until their children graduate from college? -- IN COLLEGE IN GEORGIA

DEAR IN COLLEGE: Child support laws vary from state to state. In some (not all) states, fathers of college students must continue supporting their children beyond the age of 18. In Georgia, I am told, child support stops when the child reaches majority -- unless an order has been made by a judge that the support continues for the college education. However, even though the original order may go only until the child is 18, the mother and children can petition a judge to amend the order to continue or resume it. Whether or not to order child support through the college years is at the discretion of the judge.

If that approach doesn't work, there's still a way to complete your education without depending on your mother to carry the entire financial load. You could apply for student loans, or extend your education over a longer period by taking fewer classes each semester -- thereby allowing you to hold a job. Many young people work their way through college, and if need be, you can, too. That would also lighten the load on your mother.

DEAR ABBY: I teach elementary art and was explaining to my fifth-graders how to incorporate their experiences into their art. As an example, I showed them an oil painting I had just completed that was inspired by a recent traumatic event. I had been robbed in my home and left bound and gagged. I took pains to describe the various emotions I experienced while waiting helplessly for my husband to return home and untie me. I showed the students how the painting reflected those emotions.

The class listened very intently. When I finished talking, one of my students raised his hand and asked very seriously, "Mrs. K., how did you ever manage to paint that with your hands tied behind your back?" -- BOUND TO KEEP TRYING, NEW HOPE, PA.

Everybody has a problem. What's yours? Get it off your chest by writing to Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069. For a personal reply, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

DEAR ABBY: I am an older man in fairly good health. I walk regularly in the early mornings (to avoid the hot Texas sun). My problem is the number of dogs that are allowed to run loose through the streets. I must carry a heavy cane to beat the dogs off my legs at times. Sometimes the owners give me a hard time about that, but it's necessary to keep the dogs from biting me. The owners seem to think the dogs have the right to roam at will and bite anyone they choose.

There are so many dogs in our neighborhood that the back yards look like dog pounds, and the "gifts" the dogs leave on everyone's lawns are disgusting! The owners couldn't care less.

Abby, in my opinion, some of the uncooperative owners should be jailed. What do you think? -- FED UP IN CORPUS CHRISTI

DEAR FED UP: For the sake of the animals as well as pedestrians, it's unconscionable for owners to allow their dogs to run free in their neighborhood. The animals could be injured or killed, and very few neighbors appreciate the "gifts" dogs leave behind. The loose dogs should be reported so that the owners can be notified or cited if they refuse to control their pets. Continue calling until the job is done.

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating a wealthy, successful businessman for a year. I am a working single mother of two who is financially stable and independent. I own my home, have savings and retirement, and have always been sensible with money.

From the beginning he has told me he was attracted to me because I am "down-to-earth, honest, genuine and not materialistic."

We have recently been discussing marriage. I love him, and feel certain about our relationship in every way. However, I am hesitant about marrying him for one reason: He wants a prenuptial agreement. I have told him that I feel it shouts, "I do not trust you," and it makes me feel that he lacks the desire for a lifetime commitment through thick and thin, good and bad, sickness and health. I also feel it hinders the bond of oneness and unity that a Christian marriage is based upon.

Abby, I truly do not want anything he has worked for and have given him my promise on that issue. I am a compromising person, but I feel very strongly about a "pre-nup." May I add that I did not take my first husband "to the cleaners" after 15 years of marriage.

Please advise me. I want my next marriage to be my last. -- OLD-FASHIONED SOUTHERN LADY

DEAR OLD-FASHIONED: Please rethink your position and do not regard his insistence on having a prenuptial agreement as an insult. The purpose of the document is to protect BOTH parties should the unthinkable occur.

DEAR ABBY: "B.J." in Arkansas said she loops the strap of her handbag over her arm and then rests it on the child's seat in a shopping cart. I did that, too, but I didn't take the time to snap all the snaps and zip all the zippers on my handbag.

Someone distracted me, and when I looked away briefly, my wallet was removed from my handbag in a flash. I discovered the wallet was missing when I got to the cash register to pay for my purchases. -- KNOWS BETTER NOW IN SCOTTSDALE

DEAR KNOWS BETTER NOW: Ouch! You learned an expensive lesson. Thank you for warning other shoppers to keep their purses closed.

For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more attractive person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR READERS: My New Year's column has become an annual tradition. These New Year's resolutions are based on the original credo of Al-Anon. I am using its theme with some variations of my own.

Just for today, I will live through this day only, and not set far-reaching goals to try to overcome all my problems at once. I know I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I thought I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today, I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." He was right. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. I will chase them out of my mind and replace them with happy thoughts.

Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.

Just for today, I will improve my mind. I will not be a mental loafer. I will force myself to read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll make an honest effort to quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat nothing I know to be fattening. And I will force myself to exercise -- even if it's only walking around the block or using the stairs instead of the elevator.

Just for today, I will make a conscious effort to be aggreeable. I will look as good as I can, dress becomingly, speak softly, act courteously, and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll try not to improve anybody except myself.

We know so much more about nutrition and how much exercise and sensible living can extend life and make it more enjoyable; so just for today, I'll take good care of my body so I can celebrate many more happy new years.

Just for today, I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it, thereby saving myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today, I will gather the courage to do what is right and take the responsibility for my own actions.

To one and all: a happy, healthy new year! -- LOVE, ABBY

P.S. God bless our men and women in uniform in every corner of the world where our flag is flying. And let us not forget those patriotic Americans who are serving their country in the Peace Corps, as well as those who have served and are now in veterans hospitals and nursing homes.

And as we begin this bright, shiny new year, consider this inspirational Chinese proverb:

"If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.

"If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.

"If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.

"When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."

Everybody has a problem. What's yours? Get it off your chest by writing to Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069. For a personal reply, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.