Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
When Night Falls, Peace Disappears
Across many residential communities in Honiara, the Capital of Solomon Islands, a troubling pattern in becoming increasingly familiar. As night falls, what should be quiet, safe neighborhoods are often disrupted by loud shouting, singing, and disorderly movement of intoxicated individuals walking through the streets.
By Tristein Zutu3 months ago in Families
Creative Ways to Spend Quality Time With Family Every Week
Quality time helps families build stronger relationships through laughter, communication, and shared experiences. Many families feel busy with work, school, technology, and daily responsibilities, yet small weekly routines can make connections feel natural and enjoyable.
By Paul Pavliscak3 months ago in Families
How a Pediatrician Supports Your Child’s Health From Infancy to Adolescence
Raising a child comes with plenty of questions. Some are easy to answer. Others leave parents wondering whether what they're seeing is completely normal or something worth discussing with a doctor.
By Jay Rodriguez3 months ago in Families
Father's Day 2026
My husband is the charm. He is husband number three and has four children. Husband number two had one son. Husband number one and I had two children. This is for a total of seven children for me. And then there are thirty grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
By Denise E Lindquist3 months ago in Families
June 21st
June 21: My birthday and, this year, Father’s Day. It should be a happy time. In a way, it is. I have my dad and my puppies living with me. Both my brothers texted me “Happy Birthday” this morning, and I sent one of them back a “Happy Father’s Day” (only one of them is a father). My dad got me a birthday card with a Kohl’s gift certificate (I’m in desperate need of some new clothes), and tonight, we might have some pizza and chocolate cake to finish off the day. It’s not a big bash like we would have when we would go down to Disneyland or even when we would just go to the movies, but in its own simple way, it’s nice. It’s us. As long as I have someone to be with on my birthday, I’m content…for the most part.
By Stephanie Hoogstad3 months ago in Families
The Architecture of Quiet Love:. AI-Generated.
We live in a world that thrives on loud declarations. We measure love by the height of our words, the extravagance of our gifts, and the public eloquence of our tributes. But when Father’s Day rolls around each June, I always find myself standardizing love by a completely different layout. I find myself thinking about the quiet architecture of a man who never quite mastered the art of the grand monologue, but whose entire life has been a blueprint of steady, unyielding presence.
By Sam Shroyer3 months ago in Families
The Bridge Between Fathers
For 19 years, I was lucky enough to celebrate Father’s Day from both sides of the holiday. Like a lot of things in life, I didn’t appreciate how special that was until it was gone. I was a bridge between two generations, both shaping the man I’ve become. Through that bridge flowed the lessons of the past and the promise of tomorrow.
By Carl J. Petersen3 months ago in Families
Getting Through Life Alone and Loving It
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there. The ones who are involved in their children's lives and loves them unconditionally, I appreciate you to the highest. To a son, a father should be their hero, rather than a disappointment to them. I no longer celebrate Father's Day, because I've been estranged from my father for nearly 15 years. I'm the oldest of three children and unfortunately, I've suffered physical and verbal abuse on a regular basis from him. Every day, I was fearful of him. Whether or not I did something wrong, he would yell, belittle, and abuse me. Even over the smallest things, such as me refusing to greet someone, this toxic cycle continued. While parts of my childhood were great, the majority of it was filled with abuse. It was difficult for me to open up to him about certain things, because he would bombard me with a million questions. Him constant critiquing me on a regular basis was his favorite toxic trait. He would take issue with me on things I liked and how I presented myself. A few things about Liberian parents that everyone needs to be aware of are the following: They'll never admit any wrongdoing, apologizing to their children is beneath them, always portraying themselves as victims instead of doing any self-reflection, and finally, they gaslight you anytime you try to express that they've hurt your feelings. I've experienced these red flags firsthand when I was 14. I remember one day my father was constantly criticizing me for no reason. It was at the moment that I had to stand up to him once and for all. Spoiler alert: it didn't go well. He responded by yelling in my face, resulting with me being reduced to tears. It hurt my feelings deeply and I'm a very sensitive person. These are the reasons why I no longer commemorate Father's Day or share a picture of him on social media. Also, near the end of 2022 was the year that I told people that I preferred to be addressed by my middle name. I'm still toying with the idea of changing my last name, because having it reminds me of being born to toxic parents.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 3 months ago in Families
