Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
They Called It...
Just over three years ago I, for the 1 million-and-tenth time, had to explain to my baby girl how her daddy wasn’t actually coming to get her again. That was the day I decided enough was enough and he wasn’t going to hurt her ever again. Not if I could help it.
By Secret Serenity7 years ago in Families
Thoughts from an Adoptee
Adoption. Most people don't really know what it's like to be raised by parents who aren't truly blood related. But with myself, I grew up only knowing this life. I can't really remember a time when I didn't know that I had a second mother and father. My adoptive parents always raised me to know and understand that I was adopted. Growing up with this sense of mind, young me thought that everyone knew what adoption was. Since I was a 90's baby ('98 to be exact), most adoptions at this time were closed adoptions. This means that once I was put with my adoptive parents, I would have no contact with my birth mother. So my whole life I grew up knowing very little about my birth mom, so my mind would always wander and ask questions that turned into crazy dreams and ideas.
By Ellen Meissner7 years ago in Families
The Expectations of Children
Parents or guardians expect a child to achieve specific goals in their life. If the child shows signs in their early childhood years that they are not heading toward the straight path to these life goals the parent or guardian can become terrified of the unknown and deem them a disappointment. Additionally, this child is often treated unfairly, isolated, and neglected by the same people who are supposed to support him or her with unconditional love and understanding; that they will not conform to the life that their parents expect. In The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, the main character Despereaux is a non-conforming individual who naturally is not born with the mice-like instincts that his mom, dad and two siblings ascribe to. His mother states very early in his childhood to “please look for crumbs. Eat them to make your mama happy. You are such the skinny mouse. You are a disappointment to your mama.” (Di Camillo, 18) Despereaux, being a non-conformed mouse, is expected to be like all the other mice and follow all of the mice rules. When he does not follow the rules she and the rest of the family fear that he will become a disappointment and shame the entire family. This leads to Despereaux’s brutal treatment, isolation and neglect. Why does his family treat him negatively? Their expectations of Despereaux are not met and therefore, they fear that he will bring shame to their family. The author explores the ways in which Despereaux is treated when his parents and siblings don't accept the rambunctious mouse.
By Traveling From Heavenly Places7 years ago in Families
Out of the Closet
The most common [negative] LGBT narrative for coming out to one's family is that of the parents just utterly disowning their child. Calling them sinful fags, or other hurtful words, and I always sort of imagined a burly football-loving dad literally picking their gay, lesbian, trans, or bi child up by the scruff of their shirt and tossing them out the door.
By Ian Hazelton7 years ago in Families
How Heroin Destroyed My Life
By reading the title I assume you think me doing Heroin destroyed my life? Or why do I capitalize the h in Heroin. Let's start with introducing Heroin. It's a powder, it's white, it's a girl. I've always called her MISS Heroin; because she'll deceive you, she'll lie, she'll get you to steal and con your loved ones. Well, until they're dead; or find their way around MISS Heroin. Sadly my parents did not.
By Destiny Watson7 years ago in Families
Life After Being a Caregiver
Have you ever stopped to wonder what happens to a caregiver when their charge departs this world? For professionals, it's easy; they just move on to the next. After all. there's no shortage of sick, elderly, or dying people in the world. It's a job and nothing more. They don't generally become emotionally attached enough that it disturbs their life. But not every caregiver is a professional—most aren’t. Most are family, daughters, sons, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what happens to them when there's no one left to take care of?
By Shannon Hummell7 years ago in Families
I Have 13 Siblings
My name is Daniel. I have ten brothers and three sisters. I'll just answer the questions you would ask in person first. All from the same parents. No twins. Yes, they're done having kids. I'm the fifth oldest. There was always someone to spend time with. I'm currently the oldest at home. I've talked about my family a lot, so I know that's usually where the topic dies until I'm told about your mom's or dad's equally-abnormally-large family that's almost as large.
By Daniel Bowers7 years ago in Families
Say What?
Kids are funny, aren't they? They have no shame in what they talk about, and it makes me think that maybe we should all start to live that way. I've been working in childcare for three years now, and I've overheard some pretty hilarious conversations. I thought I'd share some of these priceless encounters!
By Hayley Bonnett7 years ago in Families