For the teenagers!

Hi Everybody! What are you doing for the holidays? We have to sit through a ton of Host's-family-stuff. But then we get a break. I'm going to build some cool stuff for the house like a DVD cabinet. I'll need some serious time in the shop after all the holiday drama!

Colin

Just going to be relaxing, since we need a break. Viola's family always wants to do something and doesn't like it when we just stay in her room, but it's hard to be around them. I don't think they realize that though.

Hi Cynthia,

I wish we could stay in a room by ourselves too. But Host has family obligations. You know how it is. I hate obligations but know that it's just for a few days. Then it's back to our life. Most of the time we'll just hide and try to avoid the drama. Nothing to be gained by vulnerability. Only more problems. Have a good holiday ok?

Colin

Yeah, you have a good holiday too.

Hi Everybody,

We're back from Xmas and taking a couple days off. I'm going to re-mod a bathroom. I get to tear down the old stuff. I need some destruction in a good cause right now. Then I'll build a new shower and stuff. It'll look good.

How was everybody's Xmas? Safe I hope.

Colin

It was. Glad that you've found an outlet for your frustrations.

Hi Cynthia,

How are you holding up at Viola's parents' house? We did 3 days with Host's mom and I thought I'd go nuts! Hope things are better for you.

Colin

Viola lives at home so it's pretty stressful. Her mom got upset at her because out of the 8 classes Viola took, she got three C-s. Viola's just glad she passed the classes. And then this morning, her brother shaved his head with an extra sharp razor used for shaving your face. Now he has cuts all in his scalp now. But here's the thing that gives him the idiot award of 2015, he didn't know people who shave their head for cancer donate their hair. He thought they just shaved it in the spirit of supporting cancer. Viola took one look at the scars on the back of his head and then went into her room, not wanting to see the full damage of what he's done, which is reasonable to me. Her mom gets upset because she didn't stand there and look at her brother's stupidity. Her mom's asking her what to do as if she's dealt with it before. Her mom thinks she's a know it all and just, I don't know how we're going to deal with this for another 18 days.

*TW-Trigger Warning*
Viola has been really depressed and keeps contemplating suicide. I don't think she would do it but everyone is concerned about her mental state which seems to be slowly breaking down.*TW end*

So yeah that's how things have been here.

Hi Cynthia,

We're sorry that it's so chaotic at home and the Viola's not doing well. We've been in a similar place recently.

It's hard to post when things feel difficult, but we'd still like to encourage Viola to post about her feelings if she can, because even the littlest bit of support helps. And just reaching out is a victory.

Another idea to help combat the particular brand of cabin fever that you're dealing with....can you get out of the house for short periods of time, just to get a break from the dysfunction around you? Go to a park, take a walk, go get a cup of coffee, something that simple.

Hoping things get better for you soon.

MDs

It would be nice if we could go for a walk, but it's not exactly safe to do so. Viola's family is kind of located in a gang populated town. Maybe once we get our driver's license, we can just go for a drive to get away. I'll pass on to Viola that she can post on he site. She has wanted to but she usually changes her mind because she doesn't want to seem like she's asking for attention by whining about her problems, even though I tell her it's fine to vent on here.