I suppose they are not your typical teenagers. They're normal for our family.

Many teenagers are supplementing the family income. Connecticut has a high standard of living, and people need more money to live on.

They can do a carton of ice cream or a box of cereal in a sitting.

We have boys on the team who are borderline scholarship kids. If the right coach saw them, they might get an offer. For the other boys, it's an experience -- traveling, going to new places, meeting other people. When it comes to development in sports, you want to play against people who are better than you.

Me: “I refuse to attend Support Group.”
Mom: “One of the symptoms of depression is disinterest in activities.”
Me: “Please just let me watch America’s Next Top Model. It’s an activity.”
Mom: “Television is a passivity.”
Me: “Ugh, Mom, please.”
Mom: “Hazel, you’re a teenager. You’re not a little kid anymore. You need to make friends, get out of the house, and live your life.”
Me: “If you want me to be a teenager, don’t send me to Support Group. Buy me a fake ID so I can go to clubs, drink vodka, and take pot.”
Mom: “You don’t take pot, for starters.”
Me: “See, that’s the kind of thing I’d know if you got me a fake ID.”
Mom: “You’re going to Support Group.”
Me: “UGGGGGGGGGGGGG.”
Mom: “Hazel, you deserve a life.

I was asked if it's been fun. It's like being a family and having a lot of teenagers. Not every day is fun. Some days you want to strangle them. But we're coming together. The chemistry is getting better.