Left Out
Dear Frankie,
My brother Joey is five years older than I am. We enjoy spending time together watching our favorite TV shows, playing games, and hanging out.
However, he acts like he doesn’t know me when his friends come over to play chess or soccer.
Whenever I ask him if I can join in and play, he says I can’t because I can’t run fast enough, and I don’t know how to play chess.
I admit I can’t run as fast as they do. But I’m no dummy. I graduated first in my obedience class and can hold my own in checkers. How hard could it be to learn how to move a few kings and queens around a board?
I can’t believe Joey is being so mean.
Bingo
Dear Bingo,
Joey is not being mean. He gave you a straight answer based on facts. You can’t run fast enough to play soccer, and you don’t know how to play chess, which is a game that requires a great deal of thought and problem-solving skills.
Even if Joey and his friends were willing to teach you, which is not their responsibility, you couldn’t play at their level. What fun is that for them?
Give it up, Bingo. Your time would be better spent using those smarts that got you a first in your obedience class, developing a list of ways to spend time when Joey has visitors.
Let me give you a running start: 1. Invite friends my age to play, 2. Ask Mom or Dad to play a game, 3. Watch a favorite TV show, 4. Clean my room, 4. Do my homework, etc.
I’m sure you can come up with a million more activities to add to the list.
Best, Frankie
© 2024 Geneva Woodruff
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