So, what the heck is wrong with you again?! How many times do we have to go through this?! I’m totally sick of it all! this woman’s voice echoing from behind one of the apartment doors could be heard all over the stairwell in that Helsinki building.
At that moment, Aino and Matti were climbing the stairs. They stopped dead in their tracks, like they’d hit an invisible wall. For a second, their eyes met and in that quick look, no words were needed. They both got it without saying a thing: better to just leave now. Sighing together, they turned around and quietly headed away from the building. Clearly, they weren’t planning on going back to the apartment that night.
Who’d want to spend the evening listening to their parents arguing non-stop? Definitely not these two! The kids marched confidently over to the neighboring building that’s where their grandma Kaisa lived. Lately, her place had become their real safe haven. If before they only visited on weekends, now they were finding shelter there almost every night.
The vibe at home had become completely unbearable. The parents, forgetting everything else, were yelling at each other non-stop. And the worst part was they were trying more and more to drag the kids into their fights.
Sometimes the mom would turn to her daughter and demand: Tell me, I’m right, right? You agree with me?
Other times the dad wouldn’t even wait for an answer and turn to his son: No, I’m the one who’s right here! Back me up!
Aino and Matti stayed quiet. They didn’t want to pick sides or get pulled into this endless conflict. They just wanted some peace, quiet, and warmth all the things they found at grandma’s.
These scenes happened day after day, like a scratched record that no one wanted to stop. The kids had learned to pick up on the little signs that a fight was brewing. From the tone of voice, the sharp movements, the way the parents glanced at each other all signals that it was time to go. Who wants to live in constant tension where any chat can turn into a big fight in a second?
The kids just couldn’t figure out what had started this whole mess. Their family was never perfect, not like in those commercials, but before the parents could work things out! Arguments happened, of course, but they ended in calm talks, not shouting. Mom might frown, dad might raise his voice a bit, but after half an hour everything was sorted. They’d sit down for coffee and chat about weekend plans.
But about two years ago, everything changed… It’s like someone swapped the old parents for new ones who found reasons to argue about the smallest things. A dirty mug left on the table? Time for a long speech about not caring and being disrespectful. A shirt hung on the wrong hook? Cause for sarcastic comments about keeping the place tidy. A teaspoon left in the sink? Almost a crime that needs a long investigation!
One evening, Aino was sitting in grandma’s kitchen, stirring her coffee without thinking. She was quiet for a long time, watching the swirls in the cup, then suddenly asked with a bitter tone: How did it get like this, grandma? Everything changed after their vacation together. What happened there?
Kaisa paused for a moment, set her cup down, and gently touched Aino’s hand. She only had guesses about the family troubles, and they didn’t make her happy.
Adults will figure it out themselves, she replied softly, trying to sound sure. Sometimes people need time to decide what’s best.
Aino nodded, but her eyes showed she didn’t fully believe it. She knew grandma was hiding something, but she didn’t push. What’s the point? As long as they see her as a kid, they won’t share serious stuff.
We can’t take these fights anymore! Matti burst out in despair. Can’t do homework properly, can’t even read a book! I don’t even remember the last time we all sat down for a meal together. If it’s so hard for them to be together, they should just split up it’d be easier for everyone!
The words came out on their own, but they were the truth of the last months. Matti wasn’t speaking just for himself he knew his sister felt the same. There hadn’t been any quiet in their house for ages: either mom would snap something or dad would answer irritated, and boom, another argument you couldn’t escape…
Matti… grandma got flustered. She put down her knitting, looked at her grandson carefully, and slowly shook her head. But have you thought about what happens if they divorce? You’d have to be split up. Are you ready to live apart from Aino?
We’ll live with you! Aino said right away, looking at grandma with pleading eyes. We’re already here almost all the time! You don’t mind, do you?
Kaisa froze. She understood the kids’ feelings saw how hard it was for them, how tired they were of the constant fights. On one hand, the kids would be safe here in a calm, friendly place where they could do homework without yelling, read books in peace, and feel protected. She loved them so much and was ready to take care of them.
On the other hand, what about their parents? How to explain that the kids don’t want to live at home anymore? Would they agree? And if they did, how would it affect their relationship with the kids? What if this leads to a complete break with the parents?
Let’s not rush, the woman said with a deep sigh. I’m always happy to have you here, you know that. But first, let’s try talking to your mom and dad. Maybe together we can find a way to fix things.
Don’t worry, we’ll talk to them ourselves, Aino said confidently with a happy smile. Grandma was almost on board, and that was the main thing! Just don’t say no, please! We really can’t be there anymore! And it’ll be better for them apart otherwise one day they’ll really hurt each other! I saw dad raise his hand at mom yesterday… He didn’t hit her, honest! But he was close.
Aino went quiet, remembering that scary moment. She’d gone to the kitchen for a glass of water and froze in the doorway: dad was half-turned to mom, his hand shot up, and mom instinctively ducked. A second later he lowered it, but that second felt like forever to Aino.
Grandma, say yes! Matti backed his sister. He came closer, took grandma’s hand like he was afraid she’d refuse. We’ll help you with everything around the house. Just don’t send us back there. They don’t even notice us! Yesterday I went to dad and told him about the parent-teacher meeting. You know what he said? ‘Go ask your mom!’ So I did. Guess what mom said?
Go ask your dad? grandma asked quietly, already knowing.
Exactly! Matti gave a bitter laugh. And then they argued for two more hours about who should go to the meeting. Sat in different rooms yelling across the hallway. And I just stood there listening.
And I asked them to sign the permission for the museum trip, Aino added, looking down. Her fingers nervously fiddled with her sleeve. And now I’m the only one in class who won’t go. Neither of them signed the paper. Instead, they started fighting again mom yelling it was dad’s job, dad saying mom should handle school stuff.
Kaisa looked at her grandchildren and saw how exhausted they were. It wasn’t just kid tiredness in their eyes it was the kind that builds up over months, when every day is the same, with fights instead of family warmth, indifference instead of support.
It’s always like this, Matti sighed, shoulders drooping. His voice sounded tired, like he’d said it hundreds of times. Any time we ask for something, it turns into a new fight. We don’t even want to go home. A couple days ago we got back at eleven at night and did they scold us? Nope! Just sent us to bed without asking where we’d been. Then later they blamed each other for bad parenting for a long time.
The teens sighed at the same time again. In recent months they’d seriously thought about divorce being the only way out. But they were scared of being separated from each other, which would happen after divorce. One would stay with mom, the other with dad, and their closeness would turn into rare weekend visits.
They went over options, whispering in the evenings when alone in their room. Once Matti jokingly suggested running away just grab backpacks and go wherever. He said it with a smile to lighten the mood, but Aino took it seriously for a moment. Her eyes lit up briefly, then she quietly said: What if we really leave? Even for a couple days… In that moment they both realized the home situation had gotten so bad that even thinking about running away didn’t seem crazy.
Then it hit them: grandma! Why not move in with her? The idea came to both at the same time, like they were thinking together. Aino said it first: What if we ask grandma if we can live with her? She won’t yell or fight. And we won’t have to listen to those endless arguments… Matti jumped in: Yeah! She’s kind, always supports us. And her apartment is big enough for us.
They started imagining a new life: calm breakfasts, doing homework in quiet, evenings playing board games with grandma. No yelling, no accusations, no need to hide in their room to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. For the first time in a long while, hope sparked in their hearts. Let the parents sort themselves out, and they could finally have peace that’s what Aino and Matti thought, picturing life at grandma’s…
Mom, dad, we need to talk seriously, the twins said firmly, standing in front of their parents. They’d waited till evening when both were home and walked into the living room. Aino held Matti’s hand tight it helped her stay confident. But first, promise to hear us out before giving your opinions.
Mikko looked up from his phone, surprised. Satu, who was sorting things on the couch, sat up straight. Her face looked like the kids had said something unthinkable.
This is all your parenting! she huffed, crossing her arms. The kids are already setting conditions for us! Like we have to report to them!
Who are you to talk! the man snapped back, putting his phone down. I’m always at work, trying to provide for the family. You’ve been with them all the time! And what did you teach them? Why are they bossing us around now?
The twins exchanged looks. They expected something like this the talk turning into the usual blame game. But they couldn’t back down.
Enough! Aino cried out, almost in tears. She stepped forward, trying to speak clearly and calmly even though she was shaking inside. Matti and I have thought about it and decided you need to get divorced.
The room went dead silent. Satu froze with her mouth open, and Mikko slowly stood up from the couch.
Well, that’s news! mom’s voice sounded threatening. Aino, you’re still too young to tell adults how to live! And what else have you ‘decided’? Maybe divide the apartment for us too?
If you don’t divorce, we’ll go to child services, Matti squeezed his sister’s hand, drawing strength from it. His voice was firm, though inside he wasn’t sure he meant it. And then, dad, you could lose your job. Your company doesn’t like scandals, right? You said yourself reputation is everything.
And you, mom, Aino continued, looking straight at her mom, the neighbors will stop respecting you. They won’t even talk to you! Everyone knows how you yell at each other, and we’ll add details!
They’re threatening us! Look at them! Satu finally got out, looking from one kid to the other. These are our children! How can you do this to us?
We’re not threatening, Matti said quietly but confidently. We just want you to understand: we can’t live like this. We’re tired! Tired of the yelling, of you not hearing us, of even simple requests turning into fights.
You’ll divorce, move apart, and we’ll live with grandma, the kids finished together, like they’d rehearsed. It’ll be better for everyone: peace for us, no constant conflicts for you. We don’t want to be stuck between you two like in a crossfire anymore.
The parents froze. For the first time in a long while, they had no answer. Usually they’d start arguing right away, interrupting, finding fault but now both seemed speechless.
Their thirteen-year-old kids were acting totally unexpected! Aino and Matti stood side by side, holding hands, looking at their parents firmly, without the usual shyness. And they were talking about such serious things that the adults tried not to think about.
The couple had thought about divorce themselves many times. But they were always stopped by the same question who would the kids stay with? Splitting up the twins seemed impossible they were so close, did everything together, supported each other. The parents couldn’t imagine tearing one from the other, making them live in different houses, only seeing each other on weekends.
They hadn’t considered the grandma option before. For some reason it never occurred to them maybe because they were too caught up in their grudges and complaints. But now, hearing the kids’ suggestion, Mikko and Satu couldn’t help but wonder: what if this is the solution? Grandma loves the grandkids, her apartment is spacious, she’s always happy to see them… Maybe this really solves at least part of the problems?
I’ll call mom, Mikko finally said through gritted teeth. His voice was muffled, like the words were hard to get out. If she agrees…
He didn’t finish. Satu interrupted sharply, and her voice had such tiredness that it surprised even her:
Then we’ll finally stop torturing each other. Call her. I’ll be happy not to see your face every day.
Her words hung in the air. She didn’t want to be so sharp, but years of built-up hurts and disappointments made the words come out on their own.
And I’ll be so glad! Mikko replied, trying to hide the pain her words caused behind sarcasm.
There was no anger in his tone just a bitter smile at what their family life had become. He took out his phone and slowly dialed his mother’s number. While the rings went, both spouses looked in different directions, avoiding eye contact. They didn’t know where this talk would lead, but they knew: the point of no return might have already been passed…
That day the Korhonen family made a life-changing decision. It all started with a long talk between Mikko and his mother. Kaisa listened carefully, not interrupting, only asking clarifying questions now and then.
When Mikko finally finished explaining everything, there was a pause. Grandma took a deep breath and said:
If you both understand that this will be better for the kids, I agree. They’ll be safe here, I’ll take care of them.
By evening the couple met in the kitchen for the first time in a long while without yelling or reproaches. They sat across from each other and started discussing details. Gradually, step by step, they agreed on one thing: divorce was the only sensible way out. The kids would move to grandma’s, and the parents would send her money each month for their support.
But no one was going to abandon the kids. Both mom and dad swore they’d visit on weekends but on different days to minimize contact with each other.
I’ll come on Saturday morning to take them for a walk, and you on Sunday, the man said tiredly, and his still-wife nodded in agreement. That’ll be easier. The main thing is the kids don’t feel abandoned.
Their main goal was to keep contact to a minimum and avoid new fights. They agreed not to talk about each other in front of the kids, not to try to pull them to one side, not to argue in front of them.
We’re still their parents, Mikko said. And we should stay that way, even if we’re not spouses anymore.
And as time showed, the decision was perfect. The kids could finally relax and start living like normal teens. Aino signed up for an art club she’d wanted to for a long time, but there was never time because of all the stress. Matti started going to soccer practice, made new friends on the team. They started spending time together again: walking around the city, going to movies, talking about school without fear that a fight would break out any second.
Stability came back to their studies too. Now they had a quiet place to work, no one distracting with yells and arguments. Homework got done calmly, without nerves, and it quickly showed in their grades. Teachers noticed the change: You’ve become so attentive, kids! Keep it up!
Gradually life settled into a new rhythm not perfect, but calm and predictable. The kids didn’t hide in their room anymore, didn’t jump at loud voices, didn’t worry about every step. They just lived like teens should, who were lucky to find support in the toughest times…
Five years later, life for the Korhonen family was steady and calm. Aino and Matti had gotten used to the new routine: school, clubs, hanging with friends, warm evenings at grandma’s. The parents still came on alternating days each on their day, with gifts and attention, but no complaints. Over the years they’d learned to communicate reservedly, politely, without the old angry outbursts.
The first personal contact between the ex-spouses happened at the kids’ graduation. The school was having a big celebration, and both parents came, of course. They were cautious at first, sitting in different parts of the hall, but gradually the ice melted.
When the dancing started, Mikko unexpectedly went up to Satu:
Want to dance? Remember the old days.
She hesitated a bit, then nodded.
After the party they sat for a long time in the school yard, watching the graduates having fun by the fountain. The conversation started naturally first about the kids, then about the past.
They talked a lot that evening, remembered happy times from their marriage and acted pretty decently. They talked about the good things that once connected them, not old grudges. The twins, watching from afar, couldn’t be happier. It had been painful to see the two people closest to them treat each other almost like enemies.
But then, out of the blue, something unexpected happened. The next day Mikko and Satu invited the kids to a cafe. Over coffee, after glancing at each other, they held hands, and Mikko announced with a big smile:
Kids, mom and I have thought about it and decided to get married again. Over these years we’ve realized our feelings haven’t faded! We still love each other and want to be a family again.
His voice sounded joyful, like he was sharing the happiest news. Satu beamed, clearly expecting an excited reaction.
The twins looked at each other their faces darkened instantly. Doubt flashed in Aino’s eyes, Matti clenched his fists under the table. Again the same mistakes! What were their parents thinking? Could they really live together without conflicts?
Are you serious? was all Aino could manage.
Absolutely, Mikko answered confidently. We’ve both changed. Learned to listen to each other. And we want to give our family a second chance.
The kids were silent. Inside, conflicting feelings raged: on one hand, they wanted to believe the parents had really changed; on the other they feared repeating the pain they’d gone through before.
But they didn’t try to talk them out of it. They didn’t even comment on the announcement, which really hurt the parents. Satu looked at the kids confused:
What, you’re not happy? We thought you’d be thrilled for us.
But the twins just looked at each other and shrugged. What could they say? “Don’t do it! Don’t ruin your lives!”? The words stuck in their throats. They didn’t want to seem cold, but they couldn’t pretend everything was fine either.
The conversation didn’t flow for the rest of the meeting. The parents tried to talk about their plans, the kids nodded politely, but their minds were elsewhere. On the way home Aino quietly said to her brother:
I hope they know what they’re doing.
Matti just sighed in response…
So, we’re heading to Helsinki? Aino opened her laptop, planning to check university websites. Farther away from this craziness. I can already picture how this circus will end!
Of course we’re going, Matti said firmly, and there was a grown-up tiredness in his voice. He ran a hand through his hair, like trying to shake off the weight of the last months. They’ll live peacefully for a month, maybe two at most. Then it’ll start all over: yelling, slamming doors, accusations… I don’t want to be a hostage to their relationship anymore. Don’t want to wake up every morning wondering what mood they’re in and who’s going to get the next wave of complaints.
He stood up and paced the room, absentmindedly gathering scattered textbooks. One thought kept spinning in his head: why do adults, who should be examples of wisdom and stability, act like unbalanced teenagers? Why, instead of solving problems, do they keep making the same mistakes?
We need to leave, he repeated, stopping at the window. Outside, dusk was slowly falling, painting the city in soft orange tones. Matti looked out, like trying to see his future there. Far away. So far that their fights can’t reach us. Let them sort it out themselves. We’re not their psychologists, not mediators, not lightning rods anymore. We have our own lives, our own dreams, and I won’t let them destroy them with another round of parental madness.
When are we submitting the applications? Aino asked calmly.
Tomorrow, Matti answered without hesitation. So we definitely don’t change our minds.
The girl nodded silently, not taking her eyes off the screen. University of Helsinki sites were flashing by she’d been studying programs, dorm living conditions, job prospects after graduation for a week. Her notebook next to the laptop had growing lists: pros and cons of each option, required documents, deadlines, admissions office contacts.
The main thing is to study in peace, without getting distracted by their dramas, she said quietly, like summarizing her thoughts. Good that we’ll be so far away.
Exactly, Matti agreed, sitting down next to her. He tilted his head slightly, reading the lines on the screen. And when they start figuring out who’s to blame again, we won’t even hear it. Let them call, complain, try to get us on a ‘family council’ we’re not part of that anymore. And their desire to ‘give the relationship a second chance,’ he gave a bitter smile, that’s their choice, not ours.
Satu and Mikko did end up having a second wedding. This time they consciously skipped a big celebration: didn’t want extra expenses, didn’t want to draw attention, and honestly, didn’t feel like they needed anything grand. They kept it to a simple ceremony at the registry office and dinner with closest family and friends parents, a few friends, the kids.
In the photos from that day they looked truly happy. Smiling, holding hands, looking at each other with tenderness and warmth. You could see their intertwined fingers, soft looks, light touches. It seemed like all grudges were forgotten, that the years apart had done some good, that now they knew exactly what they wanted, and only a bright future lay ahead. The kids, looking at the pictures, couldn’t help wondering: maybe this time it really would be different?
But… unfortunately, no. The first weeks after the wedding passed surprisingly peacefully: the couple tried to be more attentive to each other, said ‘thank you’ more often, didn’t nitpick small things. However, old habits gradually returned. After just a month, raised voices were heard in their apartment again. At first it was restrained reproaches quiet but sharp: ‘You didn’t clean up after yourself again?’, ‘Why didn’t you let me know you’d be late?’, ‘You could have helped since you’re home.’
Then open conflicts started. Arguments broke out over nothing: someone left wet towels in the bathroom, someone forgot to buy bread, someone turned the TV up too loud… Words got sharper, voices louder, the gaps between fights shorter.
And after two months, just like Matti predicted, the situation hit a boiling point. One evening an argument about who should buy groceries turned into a real storm. Mikko, unable to hold back, angrily threw a cup at the wall it shattered with a loud crash, pieces flying across the kitchen. Satu, just as furious, grabbed a plate from the table and smashed it on the floor. The sound of breaking dishes echoed through the apartment.
After scenes like that, the parents always tried to call the kids. Every time the conversation started the same: one of them dialed the number, barely catching their breath after the fight, and immediately unloaded all the built-up grievances.
Can you believe what he said today? Satu would break into tears when Aino answered. He doesn’t even try to understand me!
Son, you have to understand me, she’s completely out of control, Mikko would say worriedly to Matti. I’m trying, I really am, but she seems to look for reasons!
But Aino and Matti had learned to gently but firmly cut these monologues short. They no longer got pulled into long discussions, didn’t try to figure out who was right or wrong. Their answers were short but firm.
Mom, I’m in class right now, I’ll call you back later, Aino would say calmly, checking the time: there were still twenty minutes till the lecture, but she didn’t want to listen to another rant.
Dad, I have urgent work, let’s talk about this on the weekend, Matti would answer, not looking up from his laptop screen. He knew if he let the parent vent, the talk would drag on for an hour, and then he’d have to calm them down too.
‘Later’ and ‘on the weekend’ always got postponed. The kids found excuses studies, part-time jobs, meetups with friends and gradually calls from the parents became rarer. Aino and Matti didn’t feel guilty about it: they were just protecting their nerves and time, knowing they couldn’t change what was happening between mom and dad.
The twins really did have their own lives full, meaningful, far from the parental dramas. Each of their days now consisted of their own worries, interests, and plans, not waiting for another fight in the next room.
Aino threw herself into studying psychology. She liked figuring out how the human mind works, why people do what they do, how to help those in tough situations. In her third year she started volunteering at a center helping teens from troubled families. There she led group sessions, helped kids express their feelings, find ways out of difficult spots. Aino saw echoes of her own past in these teens and tried to give them what she once lacked: attention, support, the feeling that they’re heard.
Matti found his thing in IT. From the first years he got into programming he was fascinated by the logic of code, the ability to create working systems, solve complex technical problems. He spent a lot of time at the computer, learned new programming languages, took part in student hackathons. In his fourth year his team took third place in a regional mobile app development competition that gave him confidence and showed he was on the right track. Matti got a part-time job at a small IT company, where he quickly proved himself as a responsible and capable worker. Working on real projects, he learned to interact with colleagues, manage time well, find solutions in unusual situations.
The twins started planning their future without worrying about the parental fights. Aino dreamed of opening her own practice, helping families find common ground. Matti was thinking about his own business. They discussed plans over coffee in cafes, drew up schemes, wrote ideas in notebooks. And in those moments they felt: they had support. They had a path. They had a life that belonged only to them.
When Satu and Mikko tried once again to pull them into their problems called in tears, started talking about how bad everything was, how they didn’t understand each other the twins answered calmly and firmly. They’d discussed beforehand how to handle the conversation to not snap, not fall into the usual mediator role.
Enough, dear parents, sort it out yourselves, Aino stated firmly. You have your life, we have ours.
But you’re our children! Satu sobbed. You have to support us!
If you acted normal instead of like little kids, we’d support you, Matti declared right away. You made a mistake remarrying, and you keep tormenting each other. You can’t coexist normally in the same space, so why torture each other? Just divorce already and move apart.
Those words might have seemed cruel, but… brother and sister just wanted to live in peace.
