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ONCE AND FOR ALL
HANDLE HORRIBLE
Bosses Ease with
ACTIVATE YOUR
BOSS MODE
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calls me a reason I want to
‘fat b***h’.” kill myself.”
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Contents Inside Scoop
Cover Cover image courtesy of UIP Singapore
Fashion 36 Bohemian Adventure A modern take on the Boho attitude 44 Leaders Of The Pack Our tote-ally amazeballs carryall picks 46 Colour-Me-Pretty We’re loving these Instagram ladies’ coloured tresses! 48 Totes Awesome The #GirlBoss kit essentials
8 Ed’s Note 10 Your Say 72 Radar 75 Calendar 98 Astroscoop 100 Snaps
Lifestyle 12 Hot Picks 14 Pretty As A Picture Our picks of pictureworthy cameras 16 Hybrid Wonders Concept cafes for the avid multitaskers 20 Power Up! Eight must-have apps to boost your confidence
Beauty 22 Beauty Hot Picks Beauty essentials we love this month 26 Flower Maiden Spring into colour with these floral hues 32 Make A Splash The best makeup removers for your skin
16 36 26
Celebs 49 At A Glance Musical numbers to know ‘bout Pitch Perfect 2 50 Pitches Against The World The aca-fever for the Barden Bellas and “organised nerd singing” begins 54 The Best Night Ever Relieving our post-#OTRASG withdrawal symptoms 56 One-Man Band Eight things a simple Ed Sheeran concert taught us 58 Stronger Than Ever Demi Lovato’s best #GirlPower moments 60 Penta-Mania Getting up to speed with Pentatonix 61 Pieces Of Kelly Our fave Kelly Clarkson songs #Throwback 62 London Queen How music rebel Charli XCX’s kicking-arse to the top 63 Everybody Loves Rainie Rainie Yang’s quirky sound bites 64 One Fine Man We sample Jung Yong Hwa’s solo sounds 65 A Different Shade Of Apink K-pop darlings Apink aren’t as sugary-sweet as you’d think! 66 Who’s The Boss? Drama series characters we’d love to work for IRL 68 I Am Boss Celebs who run their own show (and more) 70 Crank That Bass The best stress-busting listens! 74 The Super Quiz Do you know these iconic moments from Super Junior’s Super Shows?
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Textbook
58 54
78 Breaking Bad Habits How to tweak your diehard vices to perfection 80 The Big Bad Boss Handle horrible bosses like a pro! 82 Nothing Like A Present Mother’s Day DIY gifts she’ll actually appreciate 84 Boss Mode: ON Rid your doldrums with these perk-me-up liners 86 Power In Pages Take a leaf outta these motivational self-help books! 88 Hand It Over! How to get anything you want in life, whenever 89 What’s Your Stress Strategy? Learn how to calm your nerves with this nifty quiz 90 Dear Kelly
张柏芝
Staff Box
The Teenage team’s dream
publisher foo mei siah
celeb bosses
associate director (business development) kelen koh
editorial
George Clooney
Ellie Goulding
deputy editor ARISSA HA
Mei
Kamille
operations manager emmeline lee
senior writer (digital) Venetia Sng writers Johanna TEO, Chew Hui Ling contributors Alicia Tey, Ian Jeimz, Gigi Sng, Justin Loh, Kelly Chopard, Kyaw Thiha Pine, Larry Yeo, Lim Wai Ting, Roger Chua, Sharon Tan
Katy Perry
Michelle
Aileen
Lily Allen
art creative director aris lai associate art director angie ng
Hui Ling
HyunA (4minute)
designer michelle lim
Aris
Keanu Reeves
Robert Downey Jr
Arissa
advertising & marketing associate business director Esmond Seah
associate business manager (marketing, online & events) maggie mok
Angie
The Rock
Johanna
Hyun Bin
Victoria Beckham
business executive (marketing, online & events) KAMILLE PANLAQUI
Maggie
co-ordinator (sales & marketing support) AILEEN LIM marketing executive LIM Chin Yee
Pei Ling Jessica Sarah Parker
senior business executive (marketing, online & events) loke pei ling
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Email: info@key-editions.com
Distributor: MediaCorp Pte Ltd
MICA (P) 125/05/2014. Published monthly by KEY EDITIONS Pte Ltd. Copyright © is held by the publisher. All rights reserved. The publisher will not be held responsible for any infringements of copyright material in articles submitted by contributors. The views and opinions of the writers and contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or publisher.
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Entertainment
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Campus
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Teenage continues to bring you constant updates, and the hottest in entertainment news around the globe.
We round up the best in beauty and fashion. Get the lowdown on how to translate runway looks into everyday outfits.
From handling stress at school to relationship problems – we cover everything you need to know about tackling life issues.
Join us as a member to take part in our exclusive contests. Win attractive prizes, concert tickets, vouchers and more!
Ed's Note LOVING THIS MONTH:
Hi everyone,
The easiest way to look instantly polished is to put on a lip colour, but it’s always a hassle to ensure that the colour stays all day. I love the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Plexi-Gloss ($36) for its shiny, long-lasting formula. There are 35 shades to choose from and it’s been tested to last as long as five hours.
The term “natural-born leader” never quite sat well with me as I believe that everyone
has the potential to develop leadership
qualities. Sure, some people are born into the right conditions – being an elder sibling so you
take charge when your parents are not around, having parents that instil independence from a young age or being picked as the class monitor. All of these contribute to developing
leadership qualities.
For the rest of us, there are always books,
online articles, friends or teachers we can turn to. Anyone can be a leader if they
take the first step towards it. Some people avoid leadership roles as they think that it implies added responsibilities, but that’s not always
the case – being a leader means you are
able to motivate yourself as well as your team members (and perhaps even colleagues in the future). No one likes a boss
who orders people around, but we will always value one who fights alongside his or her subordinates. This month’s Teenage is all about
channelling your inner boss. Be it taking charge of your life, quitting bad habits or even learning from our fave celeb bosses. We’ve even put together a list of books that we love (p. 86 and 87), so
that you can learn how to be #LikeABoss. All that’s left for you to do is to take the
first step.
Carpe diem!
8
Tuckshop
Chock-full of good eats and novelty, we explore the best hybrid cafes that’ll keep you entertained throughout your time there.
Reading
ROOM
19 BUKIT PASOH ROAD, SINGAPORE 089833 True to name, The Reading Room’s brilliant for quality time with a good novel, with cosy interior, interesting ornaments and delightful lack of background music. And you don’t even have to bring a book, because TRR has a huge browsing collection spanning from the gothic horrors of Anne Rice to the chicklit works of Meg Cabot, also available for purchase. This snug hideout also offers tasty-enough grub, but their Portobello fries ($10.80), house specialties Himalayan Salt Coffee ($5.50) and Ice Shakarato Espresso ($6) – that goes super well with their Traditional Italian Tiramisu ($7.80) – are well worth mentioning.
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PHOTOS: JUSTIN LOW, IAN JEIMX
The
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: LOW GIM CHUAN, CYRIX
BY JOHANNA TEO
The
Plant
STORY
33 HYDERABAD ROAD (OFF ALEXANDRA ROAD), HORTPARK, LEVEL 1, BESIDE THE LAWN, SINGAPORE 119578 Nestled in the lush greenery of HortPark, The Plant Story is a picturesque cafe and horticulturist hangout rolled into one. Although the main focus is admittedly its garden displays and terrarium workshops ($10 per head not including the cost of a DIY kit), this cafe isn’t limited to nature hobbyists and is perfect for escapees from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We tried out The Plant Story’s rather simple menu, where only the Carrot Cake ($6.90) stood out, but more memorable was the impromptu lesson on terrariums by owner Cath Lim. Definitely one of the best classrooms we’ve been in.
SHOP
Wonderland 37 HAJI LANE, SINGAPORE 189230 Shop Wonderland is more than the quaint eatery you’ll mistake it for: it’s an intricately furnished multi-concept store, with an in-house cafe, a lifestyle retail shop, and a space where weekend floral and craft workshops are held. We easily spent an afternoon there browsing through their hippie handicrafts and assortment of novelty items from all over the world, and sampling their baked goods from homegrown brands. Have we mentioned how much we love eating while shopping?
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Beauty
Flower Maiden Step into spring with these floral hues.
Urban Decay NAKED Flushed in Native, $48 NARS Blush in Deep Throat, $50
Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Excite, $44
CLIO Pro Single Face in Borderless, $17.90
Clinique Cheek Pop in Peach Pop, $39
NARS Dual-Intensity Blush in Fervor, $60
Peach Blossom Highlight your cheeks with a natural peachy flush.
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Photography: Justin Loh assisted by Ian Jeimz Makeup: Larry Yeo using ZA Hair: Alicia Tay/Mosche Salon, using Redken
Styling: Arissa Ha Model: Rebecca D/Ave Management
Beauty
Make A Splash Dive into our pick of the best makeup removers, and discover which one works best for your skin.
What type of makeup remover should you use? There are a number of contributing factors when choosing a makeup remover. While lifestyle habits, skin type and the amount of makeup you put on daily should be considered, it’s down to your personal preference as well.
When it comes to removing stubborn mascara, foundation or sunscreen, regular foaming cleansers don’t quite cut it – that’s where makeup removers come in. Although tough on makeup, these removers are formulated to be gentle on the skin, removing dirt and grime without making skin feel raw. Makeup removers come in a variety of textures – water, milk, oil and even jelly. We zoom in on three of the most popular ones, and the differences between them.
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Most water-based cleansers make use of micellar technology to clean off makeup effectively. At first glance, they look just like regular water, but they contain a specific concentration of cleansing agent that has two ends – a hydrophilic end (attracted to water) and a lipophilic chain (catching lipids). When suspended in water, the cleansing agent group together to form micelles (much like using Chupa Chups lollipops to form a sphere, with the sticks facing inwards). These micelles open up when soaked on a cotton pad, and the lipophilic chains lift up all the makeup and impurities on your skin.
STYLING: ARISSA HA TEXT: ARISSA HA ADDITIONAL TEXT: LARRY YEO
PHOTOGRAPHY: JUSTIN LOH ASSISTED BY IAN JEIMZ MAIN PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES ART DIRECTION: ARIS LAI, ANGIE NG
Water
Micellar water is best used for removing light makeup and sunscreen. You can also use it as a light cleanser to remove excess sebum in the morning before applying your makeup.
How to use: Simply dampen a cotton pad with micellar water and wipe off the makeup on your face. (FROM TOP TO BOTTOM) BIODERMA SENSIBIO H2O MAKE-UP REMOVING MICELLE SOLUTION, $26.90 VICHY PURETÉ THERMALE CALMING BIORE MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER, $18.90 CLEANSING MICELLAR SOLUTION, $29 BELIF CLEANSING HERB WATER, $36 NARS MAKEUP REMOVING WATER, $58
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Lookbook
Bohemian
Adventure Floral threads and Aztec prints, coupled with a globetrotting attitude brings forth the modern bohemians.
Photography: Roger Chua assisted by Kyaw Thiha Pine Fashion Styling : Sharon Tan assisted by Lim Wai Ting Hair and makeup: Gigi Sng using Urban Decay Models: Emma S/Ave Management and Jozef Z/Ave Management Text by: Arissa Ha
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On Emma: Printed crop top, $86.90, Denim jacket, $133, Topshop Shorts, $39.90, Chain bumbag, $39.90, Necklace, $29.90, New Look Friendship band watch, $18, Victoria JoMo Boots, $249, Dr Martens AKA Accessories Fun Pack, $68, LG Vintage luggage, Stylist’s own On Jozef: Shirt, $69.90, Pants, $59.90, New Look Bracelet, $25, Kolombiana Bag, $45, 21 MEN by Forever 21 Boots, $189, Dr Martens AKA Yo-Yo phone, $398, LG
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Fashion
Colour-Me-Pretty Multi-hued #Hairspiration from ladies who run the world of Instagram. BY JOHANNA TEO
rarileytang @sand
@feralcreature
@soothingsista
Who: Sandra Riley Tang
Who: Eugenie Grey
Who: Stephanie Villa
SHE ROCKS: a full-head of silvery-grey locks.
SHE ROCKS: artful layers of pink, blue and purple.
@nunstyleblog
@balynbrittany
@iamkareno
Who: Nun Visitsak
Who: Brittany Balyn
Who: Karen Yeung
Ar i
r to
a, Deputy E di aH ss
SHE ROCKS: pastel-coloured streaks with a natural black base.
SHE ROCKS: straightened shoulder-length teal and blue hair.
SHE ROCKS: streaks of pastel yellows, greens, blues and turquoises atop a pink base.
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SHE ROCKS: a pastel-pink bob.
@inthefrow
@the.grey
@rchlwngxx
Who: Victoria Magrath
Who: Jeanne Grey
Who: Rachel Wong
J
na Teo, Wri te an r oh
SHE ROCKS: a blunt-cut silvery-grey bob.
@luanna90
@no7
@iamamypham
Who: Luanna Perez
Who: Cecilia Ngan
Who: Amy Pham
SHE ROCKS: indigo-violet waves.
, Senior Sng W ia r et
r ite
Ve n
SHE ROCKS: Gorgeously faded dusty-pink tresses.
SHE ROCKS: wild red with orangey-blonde ombre tips.
SHE ROCKS: electric purple and blue hair.
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SHE ROCKS: white-platinum blonde curls.
Cover Story
AGAINST THE WORLD THE BARDEN BELLAS ARE BACK AND (STILL) AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ACA-RUNGS. WE’RE EXPECTING PEE-IN-YOUR-PANTS GRADE HUMOUR, PITCH-SLAP WORTHY BEHAVIOUR AND EARGASMIC WARBLING AS THEY ATTEMPT TO SING THEIR WAY TO THE TOP. HAVE WE STIRRED YOUR ACA-CITEMENT YET?
1
BY JOHANNA TEO
We’re super stoked: Pitch Perfect 2 hits theatres on 14 May after three long years – which spells for yet another frenzy for “organised nerd singing” (as Jesse Swanson aka Skylar Astin affectionately puts it) and excessively putting ‘Aca’ in front of every other word. And of course, our favourite band of misfits, the Barden Bellas, now seniors and armed with two new gorgeous members, Hailee Steinfeld and Chrissie Fit.
Welcome To The Club
Just like in any collegiate sorority, the cast of Pitch Perfect welcomed their two new Barden Bella members, Chrissie Fit (Florentia Fuentes) and Hailee Steinfeld (Emily Junk), with a top-secret initiation. The only thing we know ‘bout it is that Steinfeld’s had to be modified due to her being under 18. Right…
This sequel promises to be “bigger and badder” than before, with cameos from hunky American football players, a lil’ Pentatonix rivalry, fierce Queen Bey-level playlists, and loads of a capella lovin’. Plus watching the ladies battle it out for their very existence after Fat Amy literally “came in like a wrecking ball” during a performance and accidentally introduced everyone present – including the U.S. president – to her area Down Under. Aca-awkward…
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2
Don’t You, Forget About Me (Already Did)
Sorry Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick) x Jesse Swanson shippers, but Jesse’s actually dating Aubrey Posen (Anna Camp) in real life. You’d think kissing scenes would be acaawkward, but Camp says that they’re completely supportive of each other.
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4
5
Hair Woes
Funny Girl
A Whole Lot Of Yuck
We still can’t watch Pitch Perfect without cringing at Aubrey Posen’s vomit scenes – FYI, she had hoses hooked up on one side of her face and her chin to help her ‘puke’. And the fact that we know her barf was a concoction of pineapple and tomato juice plus cheesesmelling chicken noodle soup definitely doesn’t help.
Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy/ Patricia) is a riot on set – she rarely sticks to her script, and Adam DeVine (Bumper) played along. The pair had many ‘improv’ scenes together in Pitch Perfect, even including a steamy shower scene. Watch out for their blossoming romance. #WeWarnedYou
PHOTOS: UIP SINGAPORE
Love the Barden Bellas’ dos? Thanks to the sweltering Louisiana summer heat where Pitch Perfect 2 was filmed, their hairstylist experimented with tons of anti-humidity spray before using hairextensions to prevent their locks from becoming a (literal) hot mess.
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6
Break It Down
Hana Mae Lee (Lilly Okanakamura) didn’t actually know how to beatbox and had to take lessons from a beatboxing DJ. All Lee knew beforehand was a lil’ mouth action – which she used to annoy her teachers.
Textbook
Breaking Bad Habits
TARDY TO THE PARTY
Your bud’s on the line for the umpteenth time asking about your whereabouts: “I’m on my way!” you reply, when you’re just about to head out the door. No matter how many alarms you’ve set, there’s always a reason for being late – be it lazing on bed, picking out an outfit, or the popular ‘stuck in the train’ excuse. The trick? Guilt-trip yourself. Sure, you may feel vexed about your punctuality issues, but it’s double the annoyance for those waiting for you. A tip for the lazy: have everything packed before you sleep so you can just grab and go.
NAIL BITING
It doesn’t matter how many solutions manuals you read, it’s impossible to toss your dire habits to the curb completely. Instead, we zero in on the most common vices and show how you can tweak them for the better. By Chew Hui Ling
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Embarrassed of showing your hands because your fingertips have been gnawed to nubs? You know it leads to unattractive and unhealthy nails, but breaking this habit is easier said than done. For starters, we recommend clenching your fists for a couple of minutes until the urge fades away. Otherwise, you can also substitute nail biting with a similarly satisfying action like doing body stretches. But if all else fails, our go-to method of slapping on a coat of gel polish (the more disgusting it tastes, the better!) or some sturdy false nails should do the trick.
LIAR GAME
Telling a white lie, a half-truth, or exaggerating the facts – these may seem trivial in the large scheme of things, but the road of dishonesty is a downward spiral and it’s hard to climb back up. Remember what happened to the boy who cried wolf? People wouldn’t even trust him when he had been speaking the truth. Would you rather live each day in fear, constantly worrying about accidentally letting the cat out of the bag one day? As Mark Twain said, “Always tell the truth. That way, you don’t have to remember what you said.” It’s that easy!
SKIPPING BREAKFAST
There has been much debate whether skipping breakfast can help us lose weight, and honestly, we’d probably trade brekkie for another five minutes of shut-eye. Regarded as the ‘most important meal of the day’, a morning meal fuels your memory, energy and mood – all while increasing your body metabolism. If you’re pressed for time, there’re plenty of breakfast recipes that you can easily make the night before. A simple yet nutritious way is to juice up a green smoothie into a mason jar and store it in the fridge. Just chug it down before rushing out the door the next morning!
PULLING ALL-NIGHTERS
Cramming the night away before an exam is not ideal, but despite knowing the repercussions, many of us continue to do so anyway. You may be proud of being a night owl, but the 24-hour culture will soon take a toll on your health. Instead of memorising and highlighting chunks of text, flashcards and practice papers are much more effective. But if you really need to, prepare a jug of water (no caffeine!) and some healthy snacks to tide you through. Get some sleep when your work is done – even a 30-minute nap will do wonders for your body and mind.
SOCIAL MEDIA OBSESSED
You’re always refreshing your social media accounts – and we’re not talking about just once or twice per day. In a society where everyone’s connected digitally, it’s an unwritten rule to be instantly reachable at any time of the day. A temporary fix is to set your phone to silent/vibrate mode so you remain blissfully unaware of notifications. If a social media detox is too hardcore for you, try treating your phone as the second option – opt for an actual alarm clock, ring up your pal with the house phone, and invite friends over to play instead of being glued to apps.
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SKIMPING ON SLEEP
Days often feel too short when you have to schedule in a hectic day of school, hanging out with friends over dinner and tuning in to your favourite show at night. But hey, you can do your catching up and bingewatching any day, right? A lack of sleep over a regular basis dulls your mood and wrecks your productivity. It can be remedied with a power nap, but on the long-term front, it’s better to set a fixed bedtime and stick to it. You may not be much of a 10pm kid, but trust us – your teenage bod appreciates the routine just as much.
IMPULSIVE SHOPPING
We’re all guilty of this – innocently window-shopping before spotting a fabulous pair of shoes that you’d die to have. Your subconscious mind is at play, and there’s only one way to break it: simply stop and think about the pros and cons. Is it worth shelling out your hard-earned bucks for a designer brand that you can get on the cheap? Will you spare your albums a second glance after you’ve ripped out the songs? Likewise, you can prevent it altogether by boycotting malls and online sites. Visit only if you have a specific necessity to purchase, and then quickly bolt out of there!
DearKelly Dear readers, This month we briefly examine anxiety, stress and teenage depression. Many Singaporean students suffering from these conditions often want to give up, some engage in inappropriate behaviour, others succumb to self-harm – a few drop out of school or contemplate suicide. Saddest is when a student believes life is hopeless and the only way out is… suicide. Everyone please read this letter as it brings hope.
Life today is stressful. I never underestimate the problems of students who suffer greatly because they have no one to turn to or they wrongly believe no one can help them. This is not so as readers of my column know.
Help is always at hand! It is sad when students say they are continually anxious and suffer from stress because they have to get up very early and spend a full day doing one activity after the other with no time for themselves. Students confess to being so tired that they want to give up because some just can’t cope and have no one to turn to.
Anxiety – many students suffer from anxiety that results from trying to cope with lessons, homework, projects, CCA and tuition. Then there are after-school activities like music and dance classes, swimming or studying a third language. If these are seen as a form of relaxation, then they are a wonderful break from the stresses of daily life, but often the competitive parent wants the child to excel so many youngsters are in a constant state of anxiety. There must be time to play or engage in a hobby. There must be time for
walks or music in the park with family and friends, or bicycle rides, or building sandcastles at the beach. Family fun is
important as an antidote to anxiety and stress. If you feel anxious, do speak to a caring adult because anxiety interferes with performance and happiness.
We have a right to be happy! Stress – many students suffer from stress. Not scoring well in exams, an inability to cope with extra classes or some demanding CCA and after school activities can lead to stress – then grades fall and life becomes a chore. There are feelings of hopelessness, a miserable feeling that nothing is working out. If you suffer from stress, it becomes harder to reach your goals. Some give up but some drive themselves so they suffer mentally and have other health issues.
Teenage depression – this is very real. I get letters from kids as young as nine confessing to feelings that can only be interpreted as a bout of depression. Children today are sophisticated and they trawl the Net and read Teenage, so they are able to express themselves articulately. Teenage depression is on the rise.
If you suffer from these symptoms, seek immediate help:
1
Recurring stomach ache, headaches, have constant cold and sweaty palms, being always tired and/or lethargic, crying at night or during the day, sleeplessness, difficulty awakening
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2 3 4 5
Loss of interest in food or sudden binging
Sudden drop in grades, inability to concentrate/focus, underachieving Turning to drugs, alcohol, selfharm (cutting)
Avoiding friends, becoming extremely quarrelsome, violence in speech and/or physical behaviour, or becoming listless and withdrawing from friends and family The good news is that anxiety, stress and teenage depression can be treated as well as the problems that go with them. Life is not hopeless. Please don’t
give up if you find yourself suffering from the symptoms listed above. Approach someone you respect and trust like the school counsellor, a kind teacher, your religious leader, a relative or parents’ friend you respect/ trust/ love. Best of all speak to one or both parents and ask to be taken to the doctor. For more help you could contact one of the organisations listed in my column.
Despair is dangerous. Help is available. Please don’t suffer in silence. Please believe that things can improve. In Singapore there are many support networks catering to students.
We at Teenage are committed to helping our readers through good times and in sad times. Always here for you.
Do you have a problem you wish to share? Something to get off your chest? Kelly’s responses take into account age, experience and needs of writers. Those writing in know and seek her tough love, nononsense approach. Readers wanting a different type of response should seek advice elsewhere. Older and more experienced readers knowing the answers to questions need to exercise patience. Not everyone knows what you know. After qualifying as a teacher, Kelly Chopard went on to attend several counselling courses. Over the past 30 years, she has been invited to sit on panels and discussion groups, give talks and has taught modules dealing with youth issues. She counsels primary and secondary school pupils. She also engages in parent-pupil counselling sessions. In the 1970s, she was a member of a People’s Association Team counselling young adults in areas like drugs, smoking and other health and social issues. From 1979 to 1983 she had a counselling column in a local woman’s magazine. Since 1996 she has been responding to Teenage readers in her Dear Kelly column.
important When writing to me through the Mail or Online, state your Full Name, Age, I.C. No.,Telephone No., Gender and Pseudonym. There is no length restriction. Send your letters to: Dear Kelly, Teenage Magazine, 20 Bedok South Road Singapore 469277 or Dear Kelly online via www.teenage.com.sg. Letters will be treated with the strictest confidence. I cannot respond to requests for personal responses.
Mother is
impossible! Hey Kelly! I need you to give me some tender loving advice. My best friend said you would know how to help me. Please answer this letter. I am waiting for your advice. I sound upbeat because my best friend is helping me write this letter as I am crying a lot. She knows all about my impossible mother. Life is really stressful at home. I am anxious all the time and I feel as if there is a knot in my tummy. I am so depressed. Sob… there is no hope.
I actually think dying is better.
Mother is on medication for depression. Father tries to speak up for me but mother will fly into a temper. She throws things and hits father and I with her favourite weapon – a rolled up newspaper that she has tied with many rubber bands, so it is really painful when she whacks us.
Kelly: Life is no longer simple these days is it? I feel very sorry for your father and you. Both of you are forced to live in a high-tension war zone, so to speak. It must be nerve-wracking. Show your father this column. Let him know how desperate you are and it is important for him to know that you love him and sympathise with him. It is important to support each other. You will draw strength from each other. The first thing your father has to do is to make an appointment with the doctor who is prescribing medication for your mother’s depression. Your mother needs to be evaluated by a mental health specialist. It is probably not her fault that she is behaving in this irrational way. She might need urgent medical help. Your father must act immediately. Your mother must not be present when
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I love my father a lot and feel so sorry for him. He has said he feels sorry for me. Mother screams, “You two, hah! Hah! You see me as the enemy, huh, huh!” And we get whacked as she says these words. I try to run but she will pick up anything and throw it at me. She accuses us of ganging up against her. This isn’t true – we are so afraid because she always threatens to kill herself. This is what life is like everyday. There is no peace. No family life. Father looks so sad. I am always afraid and nervous. Anything can set her off. What can father and I do? I am desperate. I want to run away from home or kill myself but then father will have even more troubles and no one to love him. Poor father… Poor me. Help! From: Impossible life
father speaks to the doctor. You should be there to lend your support and add information from your perspective. Your mother cannot help herself, you two have to help her. You are not being disloyal to your mother. If she receives the right medication, she will be more in control. Read the above Dear readers letter. I suggest you and dad first meet with the mental health specialist that the doctor recommends and explain clearly what life is like at home. You might need sessions too. I think you and dad are traumatised by what is going on. Once your mother is under professional care, things should improve and life will be better for everyone. Making the right decisions in life is important. I hope everything turns out okay and the family finds love and laughter. Best wishes.
Astroscoop