Try working to build some brotherly love in bubble

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DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My big family is stuck at home in a bubble because of the coronavirus. It’s not a happy place. We brothers never got along well in the first place, because we are too many years apart. I don’t know what my parents were thinking of having three kids five and six years apart. We have nothing in common. We sure as heck don’t want to play games together. “Why can’t we all get along?” is my mother’s constant cry.

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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/04/2020 (2372 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My big family is stuck at home in a bubble because of the coronavirus. It’s not a happy place. We brothers never got along well in the first place, because we are too many years apart. I don’t know what my parents were thinking of having three kids five and six years apart. We have nothing in common. We sure as heck don’t want to play games together. “Why can’t we all get along?” is my mother’s constant cry.

Last night, I totally lost it with her and asked her why she and dad had us all so far apart that we couldn’t be natural friends. And she said, “Because it was so hard for us to get pregnant. Your dad and I tried and tried!”

What a yucky mental picture that is, but it sure shut me up. I felt pretty bad. Now I kind of want to help fix things up. I’m 17, but I don’t know what to do.

— Feeling Guilty in the Bubble, St. Andrews

Dear Guilty: There are some games that appeal to all ages and I’m guessing you kids are something like 17, 12 and six and familiar with lots of games, electronic and otherwise. Here are some of the best-rated games for all ages to play together: wfp.to/kidsgames.

Each of you could take turns teaching a new game you really like — and you may form a surprising bond over it.

Mario games are fun and the music is happy and sticks in your head to lift the mood —and it’s great to play with the little person. Lego games and real-time Lego construction are fun for people of all ages, including some dads.

A few more ideas: In a few weeks, building a tree fort in the yard could be fun for everybody. Ping-pong tournaments worked in our house of four kids where the youngest was eight and the oldest 17. Being the oldest and reading a great adventure book to the littlest person would be a memory for you two. Good luck! 

 

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

Miss Lonelyhearts

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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