Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Ma/Mom/Mum
Many people would look past yet another story about a mother’s love,thinking the “act of kindness” is one of many attributes that comes hand in hand with motherhood,but how far could one actually go? My mum showed she would do absolutely anything and did go truly above and beyond at a time when i needed her like I’ve never needed anyone before.
By Laura gannon6 years ago in Families
Fireflies
They say that you really never see a thing until it’s time. That’s probably why it had lain there so long. In all the days she’d clambered around his desk, creating imaginary worlds in the cubby behind the study door and generally disturbing his quiet working space, she’d never noticed it. But today, as she cleared his things away for the final time, it caught her eye, wedged between the radiator and the windowsill - small enough for a pocket, big enough to contain a universe.
By Deirdre Morrison6 years ago in Families
Like a Box of Chocolates
Last year felt like the world had accidentally signed up for the least-desirable subscription service— and somehow kept forgetting to cancel it. It was one of those watershed, tide-turning, where-were-you-when years, whose ending provided a reminder of the illusion of time, because the new year's beginning did not magically fix last year's mess. But the messiness is where the realizations occur, where strong bonds are tempered, and weak bonds are melted away. If necessity is the parent of invention, then the business of inventing in 2020 was thriving.
By E6 years ago in Families
Wounded Womb
As a child, I've always dreamed of having a family but at 12 my family was torn apart at the age of 12. One day my parents told me and my siblings they were divorcing and the next day my mom was gone. It was time for her to spread her wings and live her life.
By Tiffany Berry6 years ago in Families
Tired Mom
Walking down the stairs to her room, her heart feels like lead seeing the ever growing pile of laundry, the kids never seem to change their clothes, how is there so much laundry?? She makes a mental note that sometime between getting the kids in bed, lunches made and a few more hours of studying, she can probably squeeze some time in to fold the laundry mountain and maybe get to the dishes.
By Jessica Marusyk6 years ago in Families
The Fateful Morning
It seemed her life ended and began on that early morning. Living so far out of town, sometimes it was easier for Nells to sleep with the kids at her parents' house on work nights, it saved waking up at the crack of dawn, pack diaper bags and drive an extra two hours each day with grumpy babies. This day should have been like every other day, wake up, feed the kids, drive them to day care, go to work, but today was not like every other day.
By Jessica Marusyk6 years ago in Families
How to teach a child to read: are you doing it right?
Prenursery is the best time to form the habit of reading and fall in love with the universe of books . Discover 10 ways to teach your child to enjoy reading now!
By samual gomez6 years ago in Families
Anatomically Correct Dolls
Anatomically Correct Dolls What is an anatomically correct doll? It is a doll that realistically simulates the sex attributes of a human. These dolls can be utilized for various functions as described below.
By Heather Chauvin6 years ago in Families
A Cry In Aisle Three
Before Andrea opens her eyes, she feels it, the rigid cold air around her. If not for her warm sanctuary under her comforter, she would be freezing. She buries herself further under the covers dreading getting herself out of bed. She tries to cuddle up next to her husband, Will, though she is rebuffed when he rolls over attempting to steal the whole comforter. Defeated, she opens her eyes. The clock on the nightstand reads 5:30am. Reluctantly, she sits up, moaning and shivering. As she sits on the side of the bed, her feet feel for her shearling-lined slippers. Eventually, she locates them and even manages to get each one on the correct foot. She forces herself to stand. Although she is wearing flannel pajamas, she still holds herself and occasionally rubs her upper arms to stay warm. She makes her way across the room to the window. It is still dark outside, but she can see that everything is covered in white, the wind is blowing hard and she wonders if it is still snowing or if the wind is just blowing the snow that has already fallen.
By Robyn Moss 6 years ago in Families
My Little Elf
It was drizzling outside, and all I could ponder was the thought of my husband coming home from a long hard day working in the wretched weather. Our plans for the evening, were to go look at Christmas lights that night with our kids and relish in the coming of the season. He finally arrived home after hours of driving. I was occupied with cooking supper so we could get going so I didn’t greet him at the door like I usually do. “Honey, your elf was here…” he said. “My elf?” I said, wondering what in the world he could possibly mean. “What’re you talking about,” I asked “Are you trying to pull some funny joke on me?” I had had a long hard day with our two young children aged 4 and 1, while trying to make sure every need, want, and desire was fulfilled, while also trying to get my homework done for the day. I was in dire need of a nap and not overly in the mood for jokes. “I’m dead serious, this was on the porch,” he said as I turned around giving him a look of pure annoyance. To my surprise, he was not joking at all. There hung a little red bag in his hand with a tag that read “To Shelby, Love your elf.” To this day I don’t know who dropped that sweet present on my doorstep. I poked my head in the bag to unveil a cute little teddy and matching pink shirts for my daughter and me. Who could’ve possibly done this? My dogs didn’t even bark nor did I hear or see anyone come onto our porch; how stealthy this little elf was! I started calling around to a few friends to see who the mysterious elf could’ve possibly been, but to no prevail did I ever find out who that kind hearted person was. It’s really incredible what a small act of kindness can do, to any individual really and it filled my heart with pure joy. I talked to my mother in law later that night, and she too had been gifted from an “elf.” Although I spoke with a known community member and she knew where hers came from. Months later, I still have not been able to figure out who the person was that thought of me, and it still brings my heart pure joy. Whoever it was, I deeply thank you and appreciate you taking the time out of your day to think of me and my girl. There is a great possibility that this said community member could know exactly who the mysterious elf was, although I know she would never spill the beans. Would any friend really spill if they had dropped it off? Probably not… so my thoughts are left to wander. Although I am so overly grateful my husband has continued to be able to work throughout these unprecedented times, it is no surprise that hours have been cut back immensely causing us to have financial hardships, struggling to make ends meet. In return though, I finally did what I had been saying I wanted to do for the longest time. I went to Tim Hortons one day for a coffee with a friend, and bought the persons order behind me. The person tried speeding up to me on the double lane on my way home and I quickly avoided them. I didn’t want them to know who I was! I did it because it felt like a nice thing to do for someone. I hope I brought that person a smile when I “paid it forward,” that day. Small acts of kindness are what we as people need in this crazy world. One act of kindness can change a whole person’s day and even sometimes their life!
By Shelby6 years ago in Families
This One's For You
A letter to you, my mother. I’m sorry I could never be enough to make you smile again and I’m sorry that I never made you proud. I want the best for you in all that you do, I hope for your health and I pray for your happiness. You will never be alone in this life as long as you never forget me. I don’t have the world to give you, though I wish I could and I forgive you for the way you saw yourself in me. I don’t resent you for the hurt you rained down on me whilst you were trying to hurt yourself. I miss you, I miss the mother you were once capable of being for me and I know it’s coming back but I miss being a child and being something better to you than a broken fragment of being. My heart breaks for you in all that you’ve lost, your spark, your light, your life. It must be hard having a mind that your body can’t keep up with and I know how you’re feeling, the hopelessness in your soul knowing that no matter what you do, nothing will bring back the life you used to own. I wish I could give it all back to you, I wish that I could heal you and make you whole again and I wish life wasn’t so damn hard that you’re wondering how to make it from one day to another. I can’t give you much but I can give you my hope; it's all I have left.
By Chrisie Hopps6 years ago in Families
Amelia and the Hidden Heart
Amelia was excited. Her father was off on one of his hunting trips again, and with Spring on it’s way they would be making their way to the settlement to trade furs for supplies. All year she spent in their lone home on the tundra. Lately, at every full moon, she climbed the ridge to open the secret door in the moon to join the friends that she had made there. Still, other than that time once a month she saw no one. In the bright of the new morning Amelia excitedly began to pack.
By Jessica Olofsson6 years ago in Families