How can I get my friends to come over?

[Zhi Li]

Plan ahead. Figure out that they might not want to stay long. Most children are either oblivious to the discomfort of others or feel so awkward and uncomfortable that they avoid the whole scenario. So bake some cookies or something and invite them over to look at your stitches and have cookies and milk. (Or whatever). When we are ill, they say our Universe collapses down to ourselves and we become extremely self-centered and selfish. Now, this is "in general" but you need to be aware of the strong tendency for this. If you want them to come over to "pay attention" to you, and pour out the sympathy, hopefully, you have a mommy to do that, and forget-about-it. So, make an extra effort to be optimistic, and outgoing. Ask about what's going on with them, and no stories about you. Or maybe just one, if its interesting.