No one averse to verse when sweets are involved

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: Help! It’s almost Christmas and I need really cheap and easy presents for my immediate family (six people), plus two grandparents. I’ve been stupidly dragging my feet, because I lack self-confidence in buying gifts. Also, I’m 15, so I don’t have much money.

What can you suggest for me at this late date? I have no talents outside of sports, other than baking and “creative writing” at school. I have a couple boxes of Christmas cards and tags Mom gave me, and she said she’d give me a stack of paper plates and baking ingredients, if I wanted to bake.

But that’s it for her help! She’s annoyed, and says I’m “on my own at this late date.” What should I do?

— Worried Son, North Kildonan

Dear Worried: Poetry and cookies — a fun gift and personal, too! To tickle everyone on your list, you’ll have to select a simple recipe, spend three or four hours baking and writing two-line rhymes, containing each family name on your list. Then wrap and tie the up present up with colourful ribbon.

Look up an easy recipe you’ve made before, so there’s no trouble involved. While waiting for cookies to brown and cool, you can get creative with the original poetry. Can’t get more personal than that!

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I’m a loving single mother who works hard to put clothes on my children’s backs and food on the table, plus Christmas gifts under the tree. I’m a good mom, and my children are always well cared for, but my jealous, spiteful single sister is making trouble.

She says she’s seriously thinking of calling the authorities to complain because I date and “leave my poor kids alone,” while I stay out all night. That’s a lie — completely untrue and I have told her so.

I have an excellent babysitter the kids love, and she’s an older adult. They call her “Grandma” and she stays overnight in our spare bedroom every Saturday night — my one date night. I always come home by 2 a.m. from my boyfriend’s place, and next morning I drive my sitter home, after “Grandma” has a big breakfast with the kids and me.

How could my sister be so spiteful? I work 40 hours a week and look after my two children lovingly. Should I walk away from my only sister and her drama? Plus, what do I tell my kids about their auntie who lies and threatens their mom?

— Upset Single Mom, St. Vital

Dear Upset Mom: Some relatives can behave in such a way you just have to say goodbye at some point. In your case, the relationship with your sister has become dangerous to you. She may think you’d never retaliate, just as you hope she wouldn’t actually go ahead with her threat to try to have your kids taken away.

Contact a lawyer immediately so your sister finds out she is no longer working in secret, and gets a glimpse of what could befall her, if she continues harassing you. You may also need to get a court order to keep her a distance away from you, with no phone or online contact.

If you’re short of money for a lawyer, you can apply for affordable assistance at Legal Aid Manitoba (legalaid.mb.ca).

Also, be proactive by blocking your sister from contacting you via phone, email or social media. Talk to close, trusted family members about what’s going on, so they know the real story.

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