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Author:
Rachel Renée Russell

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Dork Diaries Book 14

Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

 

Ask Brandon

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Dollarless Dork
Help Brandon!

February 10, 2019

I’M GRUMPY ALL THE TIME!

Hi Brandon,

My mom says I should smile more and calls me ‘grumpy cat’. You know, the famous grumpy cat on internet memes? I can’t help it! I’m always CRANKY! So it’s kind of hard to smile all the time when I’m not really happy. What should I do?

Grouchy Grumpy Girl

Hey Grouchy Grumpy Girl,

Oh man, I love grumpy cat! But I would NOT love if somebody called me that.

I don’t think your mom wants you to smile all the time if you’re genuinely unhappy. I mean, there are moments when “fake it till you make it” works and plastering on a smile can get you through a tough situation. But there’s more to life than always faking it. I’m sure your mom wants you to actually BE happy. But you can’t just be happy on demand. And especially when you’re being yourself at home, you should be allowed to act the way you really feel.

I think sometimes parents have so many adult issues that they think being a kid is easy. Since we don’t have to pay taxes, make dinner or go to work like they do, our lives are automatically a breeze. (Have they FORGOTTEN middle school?!) Plus they do a lot for us, like pay for the roof over our heads, etc, etc. So when we’re unhappy, they’re all like, “What do YOU have to be unhappy about?”

And also, she might just think she’s being funny. Parents have SUCH a weird sense of humor. Just sayin.’

I think you should talk to your mom, starting with the name-calling. Tell her it bothers you. But don’t just say, “Don’t call me that.” Talk to her about how cranky you feel and explain why, if you know. Ask for her help. And explain that you don’t think it’s helpful to pretend to be happy if you’re not.

If you’re not exactly sure why you’re so cranky all the time, here are a few reasons to help you figure it out:

  1. Have you recently moved? If so, do you miss your old friends or is it hard fitting in at your new school?
  2. Do you feel like you have too much homework and don’t get to have much fun?
  3. Is somebody giving you a hard time? Does it happen at home or at school?
  4. Do you just need somebody to talk to?

If your mom can’t help you, keep asking until you find someone who can. You could always ask another adult family member, a school counselor, or a friend’s mom. You deserve to smile because you’re truly happy, not pretend happy.

Hey readers, what makes YOU feel grumpy? What do you do to cheer yourself up? Tell us in the comments!

Category: Ask Brandon nikki

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Comments

  1. CCP says

    March 10, 2019 at 3:19 am

    Watch funny vids on YT (YouTube)

  2. Nikki says

    March 8, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Well,I’m not grumpy that much,I’m mostly happy or have a normal emotion,I only cry with a reason.Im a dork

  3. #feeling you says

    March 7, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    Me too!!!

  4. bully magnet says

    March 7, 2019 at 6:02 pm

    OMG!!!!!!!!!! me too! i thought NOBODY would be like me!! yay you and yay me!

  5. Mama says

    March 7, 2019 at 10:43 am

    When my whole day goes bad

  6. CCP says

    March 6, 2019 at 10:17 pm

    You just try an dsmile

  7. DorkyNerdowl says

    March 6, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    I am with u I have depression problems and anger problems and my parents call me names!

    • Anonymous says

      March 7, 2019 at 11:57 pm

      Oh that sad

  8. heplless says

    March 5, 2019 at 3:11 pm

    I am with u girl!

    • grump in a dump says

      March 9, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      SOOOOOO MEEE!!!!!

  9. angir naughton says

    March 5, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    hi l like andi mack and l like boy

  10. #aussie dork says

    March 4, 2019 at 6:58 am

    Well wat makes me grumpy is…
    1 doing my chores
    2 nagging dad :-(( ( luckily 4 me it doesn’t really happen with my mum)
    3 bruises ( they happen A LOT wheb ur kind of clumsy)
    If u start talking about Nandos KFC or chinese u got me interested

  11. DORKY AND PROUD says

    March 1, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    I get told I need to smile more like all the time. It is not cool.

    • :/ says

      March 5, 2019 at 11:59 pm

      SAME >:(

  12. emoji girl says

    March 1, 2019 at 12:59 am

    I moved and I’m like Nikki but without the part about getting new freinds

  13. Dorky cat girl! says

    February 27, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    Hi! I am so sorry you are feeling this way and I have never heard anything like this. I know everyone has troubles sometimes but think about the happy things in life , don’t always focus on what bothers you. I would definitely not wanna be called grumpy cat but just think of it as a joke , hey you can be similar to a character right? And at least you nickname isn’t cutie pie wisher butt… if this is the way you are all the time it’s ok! It’s your personality and the way you are is the way people see you and care for you. If you catch yourself being grumpy just smile k about something that you absolutely love! I know you can’t help it but just try it. I think that something that bothers me the most is when people call me , mean , girly , or boring. I also do NOT like fake friends or being ignored , also being in the car is the worst! I hope this helped!

    From , dorky cat girl

  14. not so smart girl!!! says

    February 25, 2019 at 4:58 pm

    hey!! don’t forget that you are a teenager now that means that your Hormones are changing and nerves are growing and this means that this affects the hormone of happiness (yes that is a real hormone )

  15. #same says

    February 25, 2019 at 1:03 pm

    #me in the morning yay

  16. Miss Dork X says

    February 24, 2019 at 10:51 am

    Hey Grouchy Grumpy Girl,
    Wow! I never heard anything like this before. But, I wouldn’t be liked like if t if someone was calling me grumpy cat. And, like Brandon said, I don’t think your mom wants you to smile all the time if you are genuinely unhappy. I mean, yeah, there is moments when “fake it till you make it” works and gets you through a tough situation. But, you can’t pretend that you are happy, you have to be happy. Your mom wants you to be happy, of course. I mean, there is times when we get frustrated, I get it.
    So your mom is right for you to try smiling. I think you should talk to her, starting with the name-calling. Tell her it bothers you. But don’t just say, “Don’t call me that.” Talk to her about how cranky you feel and explain why, if you know. I think sometimes parents have so many adult issues that they think being a kid is easy. Since we don’t have to pay taxes, make dinner or go to work like they do, our lives are automatically a breeze. (Have they FORGOTTEN middle school?!) Plus they do a lot for us, like pay for the roof over our heads, etc, etc. So when we’re unhappy, they’re all like, “What do YOU have to be unhappy about?”
    Ask for her help. And explain that you don’t think it’s helpful to pretend to be happy if you’re not. Try to think to yourself why you are grumpy.
    The reason you may be grouchy are:
    1. Puberty
    As we go through the stages of puberty, we can have mood swings. But this is okay and normal! We can’t control our puberty – we just have to wait until we outgrow that stage.
    2. Frustration/Anger/Annoy
    Think to yourself ‘Why an I so cranky?’ Here are some examples of what may have happened:
    – Have you gotten into a argument with one of your friends? If so, that might be why you are angry.
    -Do people tease you?
    – Have you moved? If so, I can understand. I moved in 2017, and I thought I would hate it at a new school, and at a new home. Turns out, now, I like it much better! My community is very nice, and also new. So, give it some time if that’s the case.
    – You also just maybe need someone to talk to.
    You deserve to smile!
    You need to tell someone about how you feel. Like Brandon says, if your mom can’t help try talking to someone else that you can trust, like your dad or sibling. And don’t think you aren’t ever happy, you totally are!
    If your mom can’t help you, keep asking until you find someone who can. You could always ask another adult family member, a school counselor, or a friend’s mom. You deserve to smile because you’re truly happy, not pretend happy.
    At first, it might be hard trying something new. But it will eventually happen if you try hard. Think optimistically, and remember to smile. Hope this helped!
    Your Dorky Pal,
    Miss Dork X

    • #aussie dork says

      March 4, 2019 at 7:01 am

      I love it when u give advice
      ( altho it does stake me a little while 2 read tho…)
      But anywho keep up the good work

    • Miss Dork :) says

      March 5, 2019 at 11:50 am

      Sorry #Aussie Dork,
      I just have a LOT to write down!! 🙂
      Your dorky pal,
      Miss Dork X

    • DorkyMe says

      March 5, 2019 at 12:06 pm

      WOW! GOOD ADVICE! Almost as good as Nikki, you should get your OWN advice column!

    • Zoeysha Ebony Franklin says

      March 10, 2019 at 9:23 am

      That’s some really good advice!! I’m sure that Grouchy Grumpy Girl will feel a lot better after reading your comment. Keep it up and encourage more people!! Luv you:3

  17. Nikki and brandon fan says

    February 24, 2019 at 1:08 am

    Brandon my anger sometimes rises to high and my mum and dad call me scaredy cat and grumpy bottom i cant control myself any way why does makenzie love yo like you here boy friend and niki acts wierd around you because she loves you my coz mia loves you like a boyfriend its not right how old are you anyways sorry is there 2 many questions i just wanted 2 know BYE

  18. dorkdiariesfan says

    February 22, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    I hate that my mom grounds me after a few seconds of being ungrounded ( Don’t ask how ). It may be crazy but i either scream into a pillow, or cry in my closet.

  19. BRANDON IS MY 3 CRUSH OUTOF 10 says

    February 22, 2019 at 2:01 pm

    You should DEFIANTLY go see a school counselor!!! Me and my friends were arguing A LOT!!!! We started getting mad at each other and so when we were done seeing the counselor we didn’t fight that much ever again!! And I personally doesn’t get mad NEARLY as much anymore!!!

  20. Yass_Queen :p says

    February 22, 2019 at 1:05 am

    i remind myself of a small kitty to be happy!!!!!!!!! or to make me laugh, i watch all my old video diarys with my bffs! it so funny and i lol so hard.

  21. Dork Queens says

    February 21, 2019 at 11:31 pm

    why is she GRUMPEY

    • Dorky Nerd says

      February 24, 2019 at 9:43 am

      Sorry Dork Queens, but you might have hurt Grouchy Grumpy Girl’s and a lot of not always cheerful people’s feelings! It might not have been on purpose, but there are a lot of reasons to be grumpy, like the examples above in Brandon’s letter⬆️. Please try to be better in someone’s feelings. And no, if you did not do it on purpose it’s not your fault. Then it’s nobody’s.

  22. Searso says

    February 21, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    Don’t feel down in the dumps

  23. Searpadola says

    February 21, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    Be happy!

  24. Yasss_queen :p says

    February 20, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    Preach sister! The things that make ME grumpy are,

    1.No WIFI
    2.No phone(i will be crying)
    3.no food
    4.NO ICE CREAM??
    5.I HAVE 2 MISS SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!
    6.NO SCHOOL????????????????????????

    • dorky fashoinsita says

      February 25, 2019 at 10:19 pm

      same I can’t live without wifi!!!!!!

  25. DorkyBFF says

    February 20, 2019 at 10:38 am

    trust me! At home i get called ”GRUMPY [my name]! WITH A LITTLE OWL FACE!”

    its not fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:(

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