Families
Family relationships, in all their complicated glory. Families explores the intricacies of being parents, siblings, mentors, and friends.
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Stories in Families that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
The Day After
The air's a little heavy today. A winter storm blew in overnight and a bitter wind is reminding me that it's the end of November and the end of another year is just around the corner.
Dana CrandellPublished 4 days ago in Families
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving D. A. Ratliff I came from a family of foodies. No, not those who loved a delicate soufflé, a creamy risotto, Beef Wellington, or a classic French pastry, but those who loved food—simple, well-cooked food. Any occasion in my grandmother’s Appalachian Mountain home involved food. My Granny Stella always kept a pot of beef stew, chicken and dumplings, or vegetable soup on the stove in case someone stopped by for a spell.
D. A. RatliffPublished 6 days ago in FamiliesFort Mother
As waves of pain hit her she grits her teeth and bares down. She knows it will end soon. This will bring good things this pain and so she bears it happily.
Lindsey JacksonPublished 25 days ago in Families$17 Dollar Mashed Potatoes
Life has given me the opportunity to explore other means of employment on my terms. I have enjoyed spending my afternoon hours running DoorDash for the community. I have met some very nice people while doing so. Seriously, the walls of my office space were closing in and I had to explore other means of escape.
Sheila L. ChingwaPublished about a month ago in FamiliesThe Lost Memory Sticks
At the weekend, my husband gave me three USB sticks which he had discovered in a desk drawer. I'm not sure what he was looking for on these. It might have just been curiosity as to what they held rather than a particular search. Either way, he announced that I may want to look at them.
Rachel DeemingPublished 2 months ago in FamiliesWho Taught You How to Drive?
If you’re a licensed driver with two parents, there was probably some discussion among them about who would be the one to teach you how to drive. There is always a nervous one and a brave one. I suppose if you had a single parent who fell into the nervous category, it may have been a job outsourced to an uncle or an official driving school if you were middle class enough.
Leslie WritesPublished 3 months ago in FamiliesThe Cabin
We drove up the snowy, winding road towards the cosy A-frame cabin. It looked the same as it always did: picturesque, peaceful, pretty.
Lilly CooperPublished 12 months ago in Families
Farewell, Reggie!
It's the second day now that I'm not myself. How can someone be so sad about passing of a dog that was not even her own? Let me tell you the story of Reggie the guide dog.
Lana V LynxPublished 3 months ago in Families
Collections
Themed story collections curated by the Vocal moderators.
Kids Say the Darndest Things
The unfiltered truths from the fruits of our loins. And the creepiest things they've ever said. Help?
Parenting Wars
Do or do not - there is no try. The ins and outs of one of the most difficult jobs on earth: parenting.
Nature vs. Nurture
What plays into our humanity? Nature vs. Nurture – how two factors affect one individual.
Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Is it Good for Babies to Look at Themselves in the Mirror?
Wondering whether it's a good idea for your little one to spend time gazing at their reflection in the mirror? You're not alone in pondering this aspect of your baby's development.
Why Does My Toddler Put Socks on His Hands?
If you've ever found yourself puzzled, watching your little one toddle around with socks on their hands, you're not alone. It's a common sight that many parents can relate to, leaving us questioning the logic behind this seemingly quirky behavior. So, why does your toddler insist on turning their socks into makeshift mittens?
Sugarplum Strokes: A Merry Palette for Little Artists
Picture this: A canvas of holiday magic where imagination knows no bounds, where young artists embark on a journey through the enchanted garden of creativity. Close your eyes and envision Santa's workshop, a bustling hub of festive fervor, surrounded by friendly elves diligently crafting gifts. The air is filled with the twinkling lights of anticipation, and the stage is set for a coloring adventure that transcends the ordinary.
Michael FinkPublished about 6 hours ago in FamiliesTHE IMPACT OF LOVE ON FINANCIAL DECISIONS
Introduction: In the intricate dance of life, trust forms the foundation of relationships, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the bonds shared between family members. This narrative explores the delicate interplay between trust, love, and financial decisions, weaving a tale of two sisters, Joy and Alice. As they steer the promising paths of career and sisterhood, unforeseen challenges emerge, testing the limits of their trust and reshaping the contours of their relationship. Join us on a journey through the complexities of human emotions and financial choices in “The Impact of Love on Financial Decisions."
John KwasiPublished about 7 hours ago in Families
The Best Dual Air Fryer To Buy Now
Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of kitchen appliances, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer MAX + Tongs has emerged as a game-changer, redefining the way we approach cooking and revolutionizing meal preparation. With its innovative design and cutting-edge features, this air fryer stands as a testament to the advancement of culinary technology. The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer MAX, boasting a capacious 9.5-liter capacity and 2470 watts of power, is a powerhouse in its category. Equipped with two drawers, this Amazon Exclusive device offers unparalleled convenience and versatility, allowing users to cook up to 8 portions simultaneously.
Joyce SalvadorPublished about 8 hours ago in FamiliesThe Happiness Project is inspired by the true story
The Happiness Project is inspired by the true story of a young girl in India who aspires for a world where wellbeing and mental health are a priority for every school, educator, and young person. This children’s picture book is the result of a collaboration between Ashoka and Worldreader. It is intended to inspire children everywhere to become Changemakers and encourage adults everywhere to support them in their journey. 2 Apoorvi and her older sister, Riya, always loved the same games. They would chase each other in the garden. They would play hide and seek. And when they got a little older, they shared the same books and clothes. “My sister is my best friend.” Apoorvi would think, sitting next to her at dinner. 3 But one year Riya changed. She stopped wanting to play, and talk, and laugh. She was always looking down at the ground. And she spent a lot of time alone in her room. 4 “What’s wrong with Riya?” Apoorvi asked her mother. Apoorvi’s mother seemed sad, and she gave Apoorvi a big hug. “Riya has depression. Depression is an illness that makes you feel very sad, and tired. It can make you feel lonely, even when you are surrounded by family and friends.” “But what can we do to help her?” Apoorvi asked. She felt ready to do anything. 5 That night at dinner, Apoorvi’s father asked Riya to tell them about how she was feeling. Everyone listened to her, and tried to cheer her up. “We will love you and help you no matter what,” he said. 6 After this, Apoorvi asks her sister how she is feeling all the time. When she is sad, she tries to make her day better. She brings her sweet treats, or takes her outside for a walk in the sun. Sometimes this helps Riya. But it doesn’t always. 7 Riya starts to go see the school counselor, Miss Anika. Miss Anika’s job is to help students who are having a difficult time, to listen to them and give them support. 8 One day Apoorvi and Riya are sharing a snack, and Riya thanks Apoorvi for all of her help. “Without talking to you, I would have felt so much worse. Lots of kids have no one to talk to. And lots of schools don’t have counselors. I feel very lucky.” 9 That night Apoorvi puts her head on her pillow, but her eyes stay open. She can’t sleep! Apoorvi is glad that she was able to help her sister. But what about all the other kids, who don’t have supportive families or counselors in their schools? 10 In school the next day Apoorvi goes to visit Miss Anika. “I want to help spread the word about depression to other schools. I want to help children like Riya, my sister.” “It will be hard,” Ms. Anika says. “People are afraid to talk about mental health in India. And many don’t believe it’s an important problem.” Apoorvi is determined to try to do something to help, even if it will be very difficult. 11 Apoorvi and Ms. Anika think of solutions together. How can they show the school and the government that mental health is an important issue? “We can do a survey!” Apoorvi shouts excitedly. “We can ask students questions about how they’re feeling.” 12 13 Apoorvi and Ms. Anika visit a nearby school. They give the survey to hundreds of students, and the teachers are surprised at the answers they see. Many students feel sad, anxious, or lonely. Many students need help. “We must support our students.” One teacher says. “Mental illness can affect anyone.” 14 The teachers agree to start teaching students and their families about mental health and illnesses like depression and anxiety. They come in after school hours, and hold extra classes. After one of these classes, a student named Ishaan introduces himself to Apoorvi. “I think what you’re doing is so important,” he says. “I have seen a change in how my teachers support students. How can more students at my school get involved with this project?” 15 Soon there are several other students who want to help. Together with her team of student volunteers, Apoorvi takes her survey and mental health classes to seven more schools. In total, she helps over 3,000 students! 16 “But there’s still more to do.” Apoorvi thinks to herself. “When I grow up, I want to be a counselor. Then I can keep helping, and making change.” The Feelings Wheel: 17 Most of us have a limited language or range of words that we use to describe our feelings. Expanding our range of feeling words is powerful and a part of increasing our emotional intelligence. For each activity, review the feeling wheel to think through your emotions more closely. Activity 1: Morning Gathering Age Group: 3-12 Skill: Empathy, teamwork Materials: A group of people Why? By reinforcing the idea that young people are a part of a community in which everyone has each other’s back, we can nurture the kind of maturity and encouragement that kids need to act on empathy. These communities can be formed at school, at home, at a public library, with a sports team, and more. How? Step 1: Greet one another | Gather in a circle. Have everyone greet each other by name. As a group, take notice of who is present and who is absent; whether it is raining or not; who is smiling and who is having a hard time smiling. Invite everyone to share whatever is on their minds. Step 2: Promote sharing | Share some news of interest to the group and respond to each other positively. Step 3: Make it unique | As a group, create a daily ritual that is unique to you. Practice this action every day when the group is together. 18 For example: ● Develop a secret handshake. ● Ask a personal question each day. For example, “What is your favorite holiday?” or “If you could be any animal, what animal would you be?” ● Give a compliment to the person next to you. ● Share your word of the day. For example, “calm”, “kindness,” or “laughter.” Repeat this activity every time your group is together, whether it is every weekend morning with your family, every Monday with your class, or every evening with your soccer team. 19 Activity 2: Journaling our Emotions Age Group: 3-15 Skill: Self-esteem and self-awareness Materials: Journal, writing utensils (pens, paper) Why? Feelings are a part of the human experience. We should not judge ourselves based on how we are feeling. It is okay and normal to feel sad, angry, or frustrated at times. That is why writing down our feelings can help us identify specific triggers and reactions that are causing us to feel a certain way, which helps us be more self-aware. How? Step 1: Introduce the Prompt | Read through the list of sentence starters below. Pick one to start with and write or draw your response. Repeat this exercise every day until you have responded to every sentence starter. ● I feel powerful when... ● When I feel lonely, I… ● In five words, I would describe myself as... ● When I see someone who is hurt or sad, I... ● What makes me happy is… Step 2: Write | Spend 15 minutes responding to the prompt. See where your mind takes you. Step 3: Reflect | Talk with a friend or family member about your experience. How do you feel now? What memories are you thinking about? 20 Activity 3: Self-Awareness Charter Age Group: 3-12 Skill: Emotional intelligence and self-awareness Materials: Paper, writing utensils (pens, pencils, markers) Why? Self-awareness is all about how clearly we can see ourselves - our own aspirations, values, passions, thoughts, behaviors, feelings, and reactions. Self-awareness is also about how clearly we can see how others perceive us. Self-awareness is critical for cultivating empathy because we must be able to understand our emotions and the emotions of others. Developing a classroom or home “charter” enables us to name what matters the most and how we want to feel. These charters help us set boundaries, be more aware of our own actions, and reflect on how these actions affect others.
Deen MohammedPublished about 9 hours ago in Families
What are the strategies for positive discipline?
Strategies for Positive Discipline Positive discipline stands as a crucial aspect of nurturing children and fostering their growth into responsible, well-rounded individuals. It is more than just a means of correction; rather, it encompasses a holistic approach focusing on encouragement, guidance, and mutual respect.
healthy USPublished about 10 hours ago in Families
Murmurs of Strength: Exploring the Roads of Nairobi in the Shadow of Helps.
In the lively heart of Nairobi, where the beat of life reverberated through the clamoring markets and various networks, an embroidery of untold stories unfurled underneath the shadows of spontaneous feelings. As World Guides Day drew closer, the city's bunch stories joined into an ensemble of strength, fortitude, and the firmly established trust that challenged the inescapable quiet encompassing the infection.
Jackson GitauPublished about 10 hours ago in Families
Creators We’re Loving
The creative faces behind your favorite stories.
Jenn Kim
4 published stories
Heather Lunsford
28 published stories
Rachel Deeming
140 published stories
Sheila L. Chingwa
129 published stories
Lindsey Jackson
45 published stories
Dana Crandell
127 published stories
Lilly Cooper
78 published stories
Lana V Lynx
164 published stories
Judey Kalchik
277 published stories
Leslie Writes
104 published stories
Meredith Harmon
149 published stories
Jade Haumann
5 published stories
