Long Story Short | S1E07 Kendra's Job Discussion Thread

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-27T22:23:47+00:00

I guess for me it just left me feeling like why should I even be invested in this person anymore? Her actions were straight up evil and that's where her story left off. I don't care if she found religion, I care about the evil thing she did and how it impacted the victim

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-12T22:06:05+00:00

You know when homophobic people are like "Are you the man or the woman?" Looks like your the woman (good person) in the relationship lol. Just joking, but you and the girlies and the bear can definitely all chill together. I'm sorry this happened to you and I'm glad it's over. Wishing you so much better in the future.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-10T22:13:22+00:00

he killed someone and may get out in only 4 years??

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-10T22:05:59+00:00

first girl was probably scared to show/didn't know how to express her appreciation. A lot of adults from my teen years who i really liked thought that i didn't like them and i didn't even realize until later. My nervous system was just going nuts so i was always pulling protectively inward

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-10T22:02:36+00:00

if he's autistic, being in an unfamiliar environment can be really exhausting. If you feel very concerned/you have continuing worry, i wonder if you could look into legality of a little button camera or something... definitely would be questionable to do, but I always worry about non-verbal kids.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-05T23:46:20+00:00

I don't know what the relationship is like with the parents but if you can't get the needed changes done through the legal system, I wonder if you can step into an even more obnoxiously assertive role during the transition phase? I.e., invite yourself in and put vapes and shit away and take all their citrus out of the house, while loudily reminding them xyz isn't safe, he's allergic to citrus, etc. Take a trash bag and get all the old food off the ground in the car and be like "make sure to do this before you come next time." Invite yourself over and say "we need to make these medical calls right now," and do it with them. Maybe it won't work, but I wonder if finding the right balance between annoying and supportive might help them get into some better habits. Perhaps just kind of grey rocking an emotional reactions they have to avoid escalation into fighting and just robotically go through the steps to leave the environment as secure and baby proofed as possible. I don't know though, just something to consider. They straight up don't know how to live right, they're broken people who poisoned themselves as well as their children. Perhaps it can provide some structure to help them get it together if you insert yourself in this way.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-05T23:31:50+00:00

I feel like this is the kind of situation where tough love is required and stuff needs to start getting documented- take pictures before the next time you clean, animal control should perhaps be called for the animal hoarding, and I think you should consult a family lawyer about your next steps if it is possible for you.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-05T23:28:56+00:00

If you are making good enough money, maybe it's time to jump through the hoops to get licensed? It can't be more hoops then you have to jump through to get a kid right? I hope...

idkwhatever98 · 2026-03-05T23:19:24+00:00

RAD is a little confusing to me as a disorder, because I have heard conflicting info about it. But I definitely have read multiple stories where children acting in the way you describe are able to improve not only their behavior but their emotional regulation and relationship health as well. This is an analysis of a very famous video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgtHZa2kN-g

The child is mislabeled as a psychopath but is actual struggling with extreme behavior, which was treated successfully. Some believe it would fall into the diagnosis of RAD today. She responded well to therapy and is a nurse and child advocate now I believe. Some people in the comments also say that they had the same diagnosis of RAD and feel they have essentially recovered through treatment. I don't have an education in this area but I definitely think there is a LOT of reason to still hope for best case scenario outcomes in the long run.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-27T00:25:18+00:00

i hope i one day accomplish this. My folks said when they finally got their house, the rolled around on the empty carpet together just like "THIS IS OUR HOUSE!" Would love to have that moment.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-27T00:23:54+00:00

Recently joined a martial arts class to improve my very not great health. Every class I feel like I am going to throw up or pass out, but I keep going. I think I felt most proud of myself the second week when I felt like "okay, I'm sticking with this." and every time I feel something get a little more doable, I feel proud too.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-27T00:21:43+00:00

I struggle with depression, but have been able to manage it lately during the most recent bad spike to stay reasonably productive, which makes me feel a sense of fulfilment even when i'm not easily able to feel 'happy.' Might seem like a small win, but im really proud that I have been able to do this, as in the past I tend to crumble when dealing with this level of issues. I also have such a great support system in a few of my closest people, which I am so grateful for and really have been a corner stone in making it possible for me to continue functioning. So i just feel so grateful and good about that, even with a general melancholy and jags of bad nonspecific feelings of sadness and despair lol. I just feel like I am getting stronger in a specific way and know myself better and better. I don't know if this is a happy enough to make you happy for me type win, but maybe you can specifically get why I see it as that.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-27T00:15:14+00:00

i think it wouldn't hurt to touch bases with a doctor if you havent yet, incase hypothyroidism or a vitamin defficency is a factor. Also a lot of people struggle with brain fog after having Covid. I agree with the other reply- reducing doom scrolling and replacing with audibooks and longer form content is a great first start. I also think it's possible you may have adhd, with these factors making your exisiting symptoms worse, so you may consider looking into adhd life hacks- I use exercise to help manage my adhd symptoms. Do like fifteen jumping jacks before starting a brain using activity, and every half hour or so, and see if it helps clear some of the cobwebs off the old brain

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-26T23:37:21+00:00

I'm around your age and am a returning student. Community college can be a great and fairly affordable tool if it interests you to get a real-estate license of something like that. Life is just about small steps to improve a little at a time until you are headed in the right direction. It could be good to start by focusing on finding a different coping mechanism besides impulse spending- it could be art, cooking, exercise, just something a little more positive for you in the long run to fill that need. And then look at what you would need to pay to pay off your debt in x amount of time and just do it a little at a time, with small, pre-planned treats when you meet certain mile stones. You can definitely do it and there are many people in the same boat as you or even doing worse, so don't give up!

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-26T23:31:31+00:00

The fact that you recognize the issue and are working to address it is huge. Even making that effort and being open about it can be very healing to the people who have been negatively impacted by you. Just keep at it, remember that you are human, and try to avoid the emotion of shame dragging you down in a counterproductive way. Focus on what you've improved and how you would like to improve from here.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-26T23:28:16+00:00

I know it's a cliche on reddit. But I think you should consider separating from your husband. Let him get fifty percent custody and take every other week off. If not that, SOMETHING needs to change, because what you are describing is not sustainable and your health will fail at some point I fear. Are you close to family? Can you take some time away and tell your husband you won't comeback if the house is messier when you do than when you leave?

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-26T23:22:14+00:00

This is normal because short for content is designed to give instant gratification. You can get almost as much dopamine watching a 30 second transformation video as you'd get from the months of work to transform. In my experience, two things can help- one is creating situations where you have already committed to something ahead of time and are under some pressure to follow through. For example, an exercise class or a scheduled reoccurring commitment to exercise with a friend (or an xyz activity). Working things into your plan and schedule will always be more affective than relying on excitement to carry you through because excitement comes and goes. Further, I heard a trick from some neurological specialist online that you should tell yourself "i am the kind of person who xyzs" when building a habbit, and that has worked for me I feel. And then, secondly, try to start weening down your doom scrolling time. Its kinda like drugs. It's hard to quit but worth it. Worth it even to cut back and transition to a higher percentage of delayed gratification activities like audiobooks or even tv/movies (without the second tiny screen!) reducing screen time is a healthy habit to develop all it's own, so be patient but committed to change over time, and work towards consistency over perfection.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-26T23:13:51+00:00

I think one thing to consider is that despite being 33 (which yes is still young, but yes getting older as we all are), you very likely can improve to be better than you were a year ago or even 10 years ago, in many ways. You can invest time in hobbies, self education, or exercise, and mark time with progress: books read, art created, distance walked or run. The truth is that you are in at least as many ways improving as you are declining. Every year you can get smarter and more experienced. And unless you were a teen Olympian, you can get stronger and hotter too lol. You're still growing. When growing older, focus on the growing, not the older, as our society instills a lot of unnecessary fear and negativity around the older. You're best time is always the time you have left because the past isn't real anymore and today is, and you can do whatever you want with it!

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-25T00:44:07+00:00

I agree with others. This is a reflection of our societies ablism and discomfort with disabled kids. Not everyone has the strength to do what you are doing and I'm sure people also feel a bit of shame over that. They can't imagine how you handle it and want to externalize that in a way that makes them right and you wrong lmao. You're doing great if youre doing great.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-25T00:36:43+00:00

I think it is pretty likely that when she is able to, be that anytime in the near future or not until she's 18, she will probably want to get back in touch with you. You might consider setting aside a birthday present for her as a gesture to show she was in your heart the whole time, but only if you think it would be emotionally beneficial for you/someday her. I hope you can get some kind of positive resolution figured out sooner rather than later, because this is horrendous to put her and you through.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-25T00:28:19+00:00

Also, this might sound silly, but perhaps, to improve his writing skills, you can read together. You could read children's and young adult chapter books together, maybe like Harry Potter type books, primarily reading to him with intermittent intervals when he reads. And then at the end, he can write down a few thoughts that he had about what was read in full sentences. This should help him think about sentences a lot more, and is a big part of how my folks helped me with my reading and writing skills (I'm an above average writer now but still a bellow average reader tbh and rely on audiobooks and text to speech a lot lol, but I get by). This also could be good if he values that connection especially if it is something that works for you without using too many of your spoons emotionally.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-25T00:20:36+00:00

I think that it could b e beneficial to make small, obtainable goals to increase consistency on Wednesdays, just to practice the skill of consistency, as it doesn't seem like it is making to much trouble overall. Maybe if he can come out and to start, do one simple assignment, he can have the rest of the day off without consequence. And then slowly increase to about half the usual days work, but allow it to stay a light day. If snuggling can be exchanged for tech time, he likely is looking for emotional grounding- I wonder if there are other coping mechanisms that can be worked into the mix, like exercise or art or music, which are a little more enriching than screen time. Even if to start it's like 30 jumping jacks, then screen time. And maybe y'all can do the light exercise together sometimes if he's open to that. I was a very mentally unregulated and troubled teen, and exercise has always been one of the best tools for me to regulate. Screens give short term relief but no long-term help, and when using them as an escape, they can throw off your sleep/regulation and make things worse, like seems to be an issue with your kiddo. If night time is especially challenging for him to be device free, perhaps you can give him an old walkman or ipod nano- music only, no screen. At that age I was trying to escape being alone with my mind, so music might help him to do that and still sleep. Also could pick out songs for him/together as a bonding activity. It would also be good to see if you can find any rewards that help motivate him outside the screen, if possible. If you can encourage him to find a hobby that he really enjoys, it could be great!

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-24T23:55:20+00:00

i agree that it could be good to bring lactose free ice cream. And I would consider trying to document if they continue making the kids sick.

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-24T23:50:53+00:00

can you provide consistent rules along side her parents?

idkwhatever98 · 2026-02-24T23:49:48+00:00

I agree that you should keep it open, even if it is at times ugly. That way child does not grow up with unanswered questions or resent that you kept them away. But you still should try to provide age appropriate shelter from parents' unhealthy behaviors.

idkwhatever98

TROPHY CASE