Imaginary Friend

It hits you the most at family gatherings, doesn't it -- when you see young cousins growing and changing in the way they play and relate to one another, and watch your child becoming the odd kid out. If you're lucky, there's one young relative who's either particularly compassionate or particularly bossy to grab your little one into the group. If not, it's liable to be solitary play in the corner, with only an imaginary friend for company. Of course, if you volunteer for play duty, it'll keep you from having to hear all that grown-up chatter that's going to hurt your heart, too. Along with this survival kit, be sure to bring your bag of tricks.