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.
You Left, But I Have Questions
A Letter to My Birth Mom, If you listen to everyone talk about my arrival, I was unexpected but definitely wanted to the point where I was apparently celebrated and spoiled during the course of my formative years. But when I was four, you left my father for a new life that somehow couldn't include me.
Dear Mom, You Forgot Me
Before he died, dad said that I had not yet grieved for your passing. That isn't true, I grieved for the 2 years you both lived with Linda and me -- long before your body died, I mourned your parting when you stopped recognizing me as your son, or even remembering my name.
Derek ReinhardPublished 5 days ago in FamiliesThanks for Being There (Even When You Didn’t Have to Be)
A memory showed up from nine years ago. I usually don't bother with photo memories from Shutterfly. I just happened to be feeling romantic today, and wondered if there were any good photos of my husband and me. There were, but they weren't the ones I expected. I didn't realize I would be filled with emotion as I opened it. Tears flooded to my eyes as I remembered. You were the proud parents I always wanted, and thankfully somehow I got them.
E.L. MartinPublished 10 days ago in Families
About Abby's Crutches ✨
Hi! Welcome back! 🌱 We are always asked about Abby's crutches - "'When were they introduced to her?' 'How did she learn to use them?' 'Where did we purchase them from?'" Today is the day where we share it all!
EMandKids | AmazingAbigailGracePublished 15 days ago in Families
meet Em + Abby 💕
I feel like an introduction was the only way to start in this new space ... So, hi there! Welcome! 🌱 My name is Emily and that beautiful girl standing next to me is Abby! You may have seen a heartfelt video floating around the internet of a sweet girl, in a Texas shirt, walking across her living room for the very first time at seven years old. That little girl's story begins far before her first steps ...
EMandKids | AmazingAbigailGracePublished 22 days ago in FamiliesYour Poor Rick
“We saw your poor Rick,” they say in the grocery store aisle. I smile, unconvincingly, and compare jars of spaghetti sauce that I don’t even want.
Deidra LovegrenPublished 24 days ago in Families
What to Expect When She's Expecting
Congratulations! You are going to be parents! Good on you two! Okay mate, I’m going to call you mate because mate, things are never going to be the same ever again… And by never again means before the little one or ones arrive.
R.G PirotelliPublished about a month ago in Families
Chocolate Applesauce Cupcakes
Today was the ten-year anniversary of my grandmother’s death. I was 14 at the time, and 14-year-old me didn’t really have any understanding of death or grieving a loved one. So for a few years, it was just really sad. And as much as I despise myself for this, with each passing year I started to forget the anniversary altogether.
Jenna BygallPublished about a month 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.
I Need to Tell You Something
I hold the piece of paper in my trembling hands. The wrinkles from how often I crumpled the paper only to straighten it back out again as I changed my mind one more time making the material feel almost soft. I wrote this letter knowing that I would not be able to keep my thoughts straight without it. My mouth is dry, it feels as if I have inhaled sand and I lick my lips to try and get myself ready to speak. I know what I have come here to say today will be difficult. I look at the wrinkled notebook paper with its tattered edges from the spiral and begin to read.
Whitney RodenPublished about 4 hours ago in Families
Letter to My Children's
To my children, I can say that I grow up with friends as few as the houses I see from a far, whenever I climb my favorite tree.
Sarah TaylorPublished about 8 hours ago in Families
Dreaming of Being Anywhere Else
My life has changed very abruptly. While it wasn’t an unknown change, and one to be expected, it was still rather sudden. What makes it even more confusing is that so many emotions have come to the surface. At first it is the whole ‘soldier on’ mentality when things had to carry on but the focus had changed slightly. Then it was the ‘we need to share the responsibility’ when things were not really improving but regular, mundane daily activities took a back seat to what was happening. Then the ‘we will get through this’ thinking about a time when a return to normal would gradually begin again. So the body kept moving through all these stages of thinking but the body became tired.
Lynne MitchellPublished about 9 hours ago in Families
Adolescent Adventures
Hey Mama, you were on my mind so I thought I'd write you a little something, see what you have been up too lately. I know how much you love getting mail, and packages. You always thought it was the most silly thing about you, how excited you get about mail. Well it turns out you passed that trait down to me. I love sending and receiving mail and packages, makes me happy to send packages to people and surprise them and just excited about getting them for the same reason. It's been so long since I've gotten to see you, and that really sucks something awful. I miss you something awful. I was thinking about growing up, all the places we've been together and all the memories we've made through the years. I was just thinking about back when I was in high school. You always got so involved to help us kids with our projects, and school events. You really inspired my creativity and sparked a flame in me that I know wouldn't be there was it not for you. I enjoy making art so much thanks to you. All the memories I have of the school projects you helped me with. Remember that solar system replica we made? We spray painted all of the planets. I was so proud to take that to school. I felt like the coolest kid.We were always pretty good kids but we had our wild moments. With five of us, and especially when we were all teenagers, my word I still don't know how you did it.. speaking of things unknown, I never told you this story, I bet you will laugh and want to whoop or ground me haha. My senior year after cheerleading one evening, my boyfriend at the time and some of the other football players had an idea to pull a prank on one of our teachers. I went with them down the road to our Park, Ivy Agee Park, after we made a dollar general run... for supplies. They had the great idea to T.P. roll someone's house that missed practice. I guess being the week of Halloween people get a little wild. Well we took all of these packs and rolls, back packs full, rolls of toilet paper just falling out of our arms and backpacks running up the hill to the house. We had to hide behind trees because they were home! Two of the guys said, "okay throw as many as you can before I yell run. Then when I yell run, drop everything and run as fast as you can back to the truck or you get left.. and possibly arrested." haha oh my goodness we threw several rolls then ran as fast as we could. Nick yelling to the driver, "Go,Go, Go get the hell outta here." After I got home that night, you were in the living room, you said "Hey baby did you have a good practice and have fun?" and not even 15 minutes after the "Toilet Paper Crime" I already almost outted myself. We had swore an oath to secrecy between all of us kids. Not a soul was to know. We could never tell anyone or admit it.. and after you asked me, I opened my mouth immediately finding myself ready to say the words, "Yeah! Mom we just T.P'd a house.. I quickly realized that and that it would've resulted in me getting grounded.. My heart was racing so fast. No one ever found out to this day who was involved. I hope that story made you smile and maybe laugh a little. I miss you everyday!
Katie WestmorelandPublished about 9 hours ago in Families
A Powerful Cause
Courage. It’s hard to have it sometimes. I’m the first to admit I’m a rather cowardly person. I prefer agreeing with others to avoid confrontation, staying at home to avoid people, and remaining quiet to avoid awkward conversations.
Emilie TurnerPublished about 9 hours ago in Families
What Makes a Giant Teddy Bear So Special For Your Child?
Let’s go back to the old childhood days when we were happy having those cute little plushy toys next to us. Yes, we are reminiscing about the Giant Teddy Bear. For most of us, when we were children, our best friends other than our parents were these cushiony teddy bears. At that time we don’t realize it, but the giant teddy bears contribute a lot to our learning process. A child grasps the environment, senses it, feels it, and adapts it while also paying attention to the people around them, as a result of playing with teddy bears.
Alex MurphyPublished about 10 hours ago in FamiliesHow to Talk To Teens About War, Pandemics, And Whatever Fresh Hell They’re Encountering This Week
You know what? You're right. Your parents’ generation is woefully unprepared to help you through this. It sucks, it’s unfair, and it shouldn’t have happened like this.
Losing A Piece of My Heart
“The baby,” I sobbed, gripping my husbands’ arm. Blood was dripping down my leg as he pushed me towards the emergency room. I felt like a brick was sitting on my chest, crushing my heart.
Emilie TurnerPublished about 11 hours ago in Families
Creators We’re Loving
The creative faces behind your favorite stories.
Annemarie Berukoff
47 published stories
Allison Rice
62 published stories
Aiden Graham Cole
70 published stories
PK Brannon
11 published stories
Dr Deborah M Vereen
51 published stories
Regina Campbell
8 published stories
Rebecca Lynn Ivey
231 published stories
EMandKids | AmazingAbigailGrace
4 published stories
Jill (Conquering Cognitions)
11 published stories
Lika Tsoi
14 published stories
Geri Chan-Blackburn
5 published stories
B.R. Shenoy
38 published stories
