Don’t forget to schedule in recess when home-schooling

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 21/06/2021 (1876 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My children are driving me crazy. My wife works outside the home; I’m with the kids full-time. That means doing all the home-schooling. The whining never stops and kids are never satisfied. I feel like I’m going to have a breakdown.

I talked to some friends who have kids and we all feel the same. I am sure there are lots of parents out there who could use some help. I love my kids, but we’ve been around each other all day, every day, for what feels like eternity. How can we keep the peace?

— Father of Three, south Winnipeg

Dear Father of Three: Start being a teacher at home — of all subjects, including prolonged recesses of fun.

Getting the kids out of the house could help them blow off some steam. In the backyard, you could help the kids build a simple fort or teach them sports. Then there’s art with sidewalk chalk or even murals created on brown paper rolled out and pinned to the fence. On rainy days, get kids going in the basement with new board games or simple card games.

Move the kids from play space to play space like a teacher so they don’t get bored. If they tire out mid-afternoon, give them pillows for a summer nap.

Hope this helps! I had boys and summer was always a challenge. Good luck!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m 23, and married. I recently ate too much ice cream and threw up. My young husband laughed at me. He was nice enough about it then, but he didn’t want to kiss me goodnight, and I could hardly blame him.

We used to have sex every night at least once, and now he hasn’t made love with me for over a week. I don’t taste bad! Throwing up should not be a deal-breaker in a marriage. How should I talk to him about it?

— Embarrassed and Hurt, North Kildonan

Dear Embarrassed and Hurt: Stop taking part in this blame game and letting your husband wield too much power. Let him know what a big baby he’s being and start having fun again without him. If you’re not too shy to entertain yourself sexually, do it and let him know you’re having fun and carrying on with your sex life. He’s the one missing out.

He’s been enjoying this new bit of power he doesn’t deserve. Whatever you do, don’t let your young husband learn he can manipulate you by depriving you of sex.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I feel like I’m wandering on a strange planet, where you can see people but not talk to them! People don’t even say hello to me anymore.

I feel the need for exercise, so I do go out to run and walk. But now when I go walking by myself I feel invisible.

I’m an older former athlete, retired and living on my own since my wife died. I’ve really been toughing it out during the last wave of COVID. I am a thoughtful person and I’ve been staying away from people, as I don’t want to get sick or make anybody else sick.

My kids and grandkids live out of town, so I’m really on my own. I’ve ended up feeling quite anxious, because of the prolonged solitude. My doctor just prescribed me pills for anxiety, which I find a bit embarrassing.

Do you have any suggestions? I’ve had both vaccinations and I’m just waiting for them to fully kick in. Can you help me make a plan so I don’t have to take these anxiety pills?

— Lonely Too Long, Winnipeg

Dear Lonely Too Long: With the COVID restrictions loosening a little, more people are allowed to get together, but it has to be outdoors.

Adventures for Successful Singles is offering a reduced calendar of activities for June, July and August, completely outdoors. This would likely be good for a guy like you. They include urban cycling and park walks in very small, socially distanced groups. Everybody must pre-register, so participant numbers are in line with Manitoba Health’s COVID safety rules. Golf and slow-pitch baseball will also resume once COVID restrictions further loosen.

On the personal side of things, Small Steps discussion groups (in socially distanced groups of five) explore issues in the world of singles and are now meeting in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park in the Wolseley neighbourhood. Since you are in need of personal contact — talking, smiling, laughing with people — this could be great for you. For more information, visit adventuresforsuccessfulsingles.com.

Please send questions, comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

   Read full biography