DEAR BOB,

My little brother is so annoying! I’m nine years old and he’s six. He’s always bothering me, messing with my stuff, and won’t leave me alone. I tell him to stop, but he doesn’t listen. If I force him to stop, I get in trouble. What do I do? 

– Annoyed Big Sis

DEAR ANNOYED,  

I have a big brother, and when we were kits, he probably felt just like you do. I always wanted to be around him because I looked up to him. I wanted to learn from him. The time I spent with my big brother was the best time of my young life. Try to see things from your brother’s point of view. 

Here’s what I would recommend. Try spending a little time with your brother every day. You could play a game together, or draw, or build a fort. Here’s a list of 30 fun activities that sound right up your alley. If you just spend 15 minutes a day with your brother, it will mean the world to him. Make sure you sometimes do things he likes to do, at least a few times a week. Then you can start to set some boundaries by telling him, “Now I need some ‘me time.’”

A little regular time with your brother will go a long way. If you give him time and show him respect, and then ask him to respect your “me time,” he will be likely to go along with it.

Sincerely,

-Bob Cat

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