Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
It's More Than Just Blood
Family has nothing to do with blood, but everything to do with love. I grew up in a family so big we lost count of how many of us there were. I remember times at Thanksgiving that our house was so packed that some of us stood around the table and even outside eating. If you asked my mom how many kids she has, she would tell you around 50, last time she counted. None of that is blood-related kids, but every one of them means just as much as the four children she gave birth to. See the "family" I grew up with was much different than yours. I grew up with more brothers and sisters than you could ever imagine and I wouldn't change it for the world. You see my family and I grew up far from my blood family so all we had was our close friends here and, to be honest, they were more family than my blood ever had been.
By Kirsta Harrington7 years ago in Families
A Granddaughter’s Story
Marcella runs around the house making sure the house was clean for her husband when he gets home from work. She just finished baking a fresh batch of muffins which made the whole house fill with the delicious aroma. She would need to pick the kids up from school soon, and she knows how much they like coming home to homemade chocolate chip muffins.
By Megan DeMeo7 years ago in Families
Surviving Suicide
So it has been precisely one year, three months, and sixteen days since my younger brother hung himself in his apartment on a sunny day in late July. Right now as I start writing this, I am listening to a cover of "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. I do wish you were here. I think about you every single day. The depression and PTSD I have developed since your death make sure I remember you in the most painful of ways. I remember your voice as I hear it in my head, but it feels like it hits my eardrums like actual sound, I turn to my friend who looks at me questioningly because no one has said anything as I ask "Yah, what?"
By Amethyst Pearson7 years ago in Families
17 and Pregnant
April 15, 2012 was the day I found out I was pregnant. Only 17 years old and unsure what I wanted to do with my life. I was scared, wondering what I was going to do; abortion? No I don't believe in that. Adoption? No I have to at least try. I got in this mess, I have to raise this child. What if I don't have a choice? No I always have a choice. My choice is to raise this child I created.
By Janetta Poitra7 years ago in Families
Tips for Breastfeeding
Nursing your baby can be more difficult than you might think, so it can't hurt to pick up some tips for breastfeeding. You're a new parent, so you've got enough to be concerned about already, you shouldn't have to worry that your baby isn't getting enough breast milk on top of it all.
By Amanda Stamper7 years ago in Families
The Day My World Spun Out of Control
My life changed the day I saw those two lines on my test. That day I didn't know my whole future would change forever. September 12, 2016 was the day my period tracker told me to take a test. I didn't think anything of it. I went to the store and took a test. I headed for my family friend's store and went to the bathroom and took it. Two lines showed up before five minutes. I sat there, scared and excited for what was about to come, and stared at those two lines that just seemed to look back. 'Everything happens for a reason,' I thought. 'We were using condoms and birth control, something must have failed.' I finally went out of the bathroom and told my boyfriend to come with me. He was there hanging out with some buddies of his, and we went outside. I told him about the app and how the test was positive. He hugged me and told me we would talk more when we got back home.
By Janetta Poitra7 years ago in Families
The Participation Trophy and How It's Ruining Everything
I'm not a dad yet, but I'm going to be soon. I do have nieces and nephews and I see children out in the world. It's kind of made me afraid to be a dad. It seems like every time I leave the comfort of my own home, I'm confronted with the behavior of some spoiled little asshole. You all know what I'm talking about. It might even be your kid! Before people get offended, I want to make it clear that I don't place sole blame on parents for this. I blame the direction our society has gone in and is still going in.
By OJ Diomedi7 years ago in Families