word of the month: forlorn

background from schnitzgeli1

my drama queen needs this word. kids get tired and cranky (oh wait, parents do too). and it's easier to handle with a bit of gentle joshing. "oh, sweetie, are you forlorn?" only in print, it's more like, "ohhhhh, sweeeeetieeee, are you for-lorrrrrrrn?" with a look of concern that has that carefully balanced quality, equal parts sincerity and silliness.

forlorn.

for·lorn adj \fər-ˈlȯrn, fȯr-\ 

1 a: bereft, forsaken <left quite forlorn of hope>
   b: sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion : desolate <a forlorn landscape>

2 : being in poor condition : miserable, wretched <forlorn tumbledown buildings>
3 : nearly hopeless <a forlorn attempt>
— for·lorn·ly adverb— for·lorn·ness noun

in teaching this to your child, modeling offers the best chance of them picking it up into their own word bank. pick an appropriately wretched time to collapse on a chair, flopping an arm over your forehead, eyes cast ceilingward, crying out, "i'm so forlorn!"