I am 17. I am supposed to be immune to family tremors. But I watch my mother’s face crumble into a territory I’ve never seen: not anger, but a raw, disbelieving fear. The school refusal isn’t new—there were hints last term, stomachaches on Mondays, a sudden hatred of the canteen. But this is new. This is a siege.
This is the diary of 30 days living with a school-refusing sibling—not from a clinical textbook, but from the trenches of a shared bedroom. And what I learned changed everything.
So, when we decided to take a 30-day break from school and focus on her mental health, I was both excited and nervous. I had always wondered what it would be like to have her at home with me, to be able to support her and work with her on a daily basis. I was determined to make the most of this opportunity and use it to help her overcome her school refusal. 30 days with my school refusing sister new
The therapist (we’re now on a waiting list, six weeks) says it’s “emotionally based school avoidance.” A clinical term for a soul in freefall. I start reading online forums. I find the parents, the desperate messages: “My child won’t leave the house.” “She used to love science.” But no one writes from the sibling’s side. No one writes about the guilt of still going to school yourself. Walking through the gates each morning feels like a betrayal. I raise my hand in history class and think: Lena is watching a ceiling crack.
It sounds like you're looking for help or advice on how to navigate a challenging situation with your sister, who is also a student at your school, over a period of 30 days. Dealing with conflicts, especially with a family member, can be stressful and emotionally draining. Here are some suggestions and strategies that might help you manage this situation: I am 17
The keyword "" refers to the 2025 life-simulation game Living with my Little Sister , developed by Saikey Studios and released on Steam . The "new" aspect likely refers to recent updates, the Vietnamese translation (Việt Hóa) circulating in gaming communities, or its recent availability on digital storefronts. Story and Premise
Day 1 — The Decision My sister refused to go to school again. After years of polite encouragement, threats, and guilt, I suggested—half-joking, half-serious—we treat the next month differently: no ultimatums, only curiosity. She agreed to try one day at a time if I stayed with her for the first week. The school refusal isn’t new—there were hints last
Act as "worry detectives" together. Ask questions like, "If you could change one thing about school, what would it be?".