Moving back home to live with your parents is never an easy situation. In The Oranges, two suburban families are squeezed when a rebellious
daughter Nina (Leighton Meester) returns home and begins an adulterous affair
with long-time family friend David Walling (Hugh Laurie). The story is told from the perspective of recent
college grad/moved-back-in-with-her-parents, Vanessa (Alia Shawkat), who’s
caught in the middle of it all. If you find yourself back bunking with the folks, here are some tips we’ve
learned from watching Vanessa maintain.
Tip #1: Own Your Space – Remember that place you used to
hide as a kid? It could have been your
favorite tree or a special nook where you built your forts? Recreate that space for yourself now as an
adult. Find that one spot in your apartment
or transform your bedroom or office and make it truly yours. It’s vital to your
emotional and mental well being to have a place where you can unwind, cry,
laugh, and sometimes hide from your…overbearing mother.
Tip #2: Remember Your Parents Were Young Once Too – It’s normal to become irritated from the lack of privacy, but you
can take this opportunity to learn something new about your parents. They have vast insights at your disposal:
embarrassing dating stories, financial woes, cooking tips and more! Save the
money you’d use for a therapy session and tap into that parental resource of
knowledge. Like Carol (Allison Janney)
and Nina (Leighton Meester), you might rediscover a connection you lost during
those rebellious teenage years.
Tip #3: Keep Your Siblings Close – If your sibling doesn’t currently
live at home, this actually works in your favor. Not only does visiting your brother or sister
give you more space, but depending on where they live, it also can double as a
mini vacation. In exchange for room and board, you can also provide the most
up-to-date family gossip to your estranged sibling. Vanessa’s older brother
Toby (Adam Brody) was spared from learning of his father’s affair with his love
interest but had his sister to soften the blow when he ultimately discover the
truth.
Tip #4:
Take on More Responsibility –
Given today’s economic climate, many young adults live at home, but for those
that have simply feared being leaving the comfort of the nest – perhaps try do
take on a few activities that are normally outside your comfort zone. Volunteer with a local charity or get a
pet! Look for a job with a leadership
position to increase not only your experience but also your confidence. Vanessa has her eyes on a dream job with a
furniture design firm. What motivates
you to get you moving?
Tip #5: Keep It Balanced – Living at home may not always
enable you to play hostess for swanky dinner parties, but that’s no reason to
hide inside. Explore the advantages that
come with living at home; like being able to venture out
and escape to a party and then retreat to a quiet night with a new Blu-ray and
your favorite sweet treat.
We hope that these tips will
help you to survive family antics while pursuing “you-time” in the
process. For more lessons on how to deal
from Vanessa be sure and check out TheOranges, available now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy.
