Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Why Am I Not Grateful?
When my mother, who I was estranged from for twenty-eight years, said she’d rather leave her house to me than my sister I must admit I was tempted to grab her in a bear hug and dance around the room with her! Yet, I stopped to consider my younger sister, who is both poor at keeping in touch and won’t have much of a pension due to spending twenty-two years of her life not working at the behest of her controlling baby daddy. I too, in the past, have been hopeless at remembering close family birthdays, and friends’ birthdays stood even less chance of being remembered. I try harder these days.
By Karen Madej6 years ago in Families
The Mantra
Just be nice, just be nice. This had become Arthur Wayne’s mantra for the past six months. Every time he entered the shabby four-story apartment building to drop off his daughter Abby, he recited it to himself when he pushed the call button for the elevator. While the elevator descended to the ground floor, Arthur looked down at his daughter with a smile on his face. Abby clutched her new pink Hello Kitty makeup kit with both arms and flashed her father a winning smile.
By Anthony Hall6 years ago in Families
Meet All 6 Children of Nollywood Actor Pete Edochie (Photos).
His first son is a carbon copy. There are not many actors in Nigeria, old or new, that are as respected, revered, and beloved as veteran Nigerian actor, Pete Edochie.
By Jide Okonjo6 years ago in Families
Momming?
There’s no Science to Momming. It’s all made-up, which is absolutely Insane. Everyday, I tell my son, if you are a Lazy Liar, you can’t be an Astronaut. You’ll work at the gas station, never leave home, and no one will care about what you say.
By CB6 years ago in Families
The Ultimate Gift Guide When Representation Matters. Second Place in Gift Guide Challenge.
As a single mother of a beautiful growing African American boy I have to put a little extra thought into his gifts each year. Not having a father around is one thing but then to also have difficulties seeing examples of young men that grow up looking like him is a whole other ballpark.
By Blue Dymond6 years ago in Families
Family Insanity
So to begin, I understand every family has their up and downs and skeletons in the closet. What many people may view as a picture perfect family could have many dark sides to that picture. I know it sounds repetitive, since there are many songs, weird movies, and much more on such things. But to me each one is different. You may have a family that abuses physically or one that does so mentally. Mine mostly dabbled in the mental portion and a little in the physical. This is part one of my family's insanity. To begin, my parents divorced when I was about 4 or 5. My mother gained custody of my brother and I, and moved to Texas. We stayed with our grandmother for a while and eventually got our own small house there. As far as I can remember, it wasn't too bad there. Eventually, my grandmother moved to New Mexico to live with my aunt (mother's sister) and her family. Not long after we followed suit. From what I remember it wasn't too bad at first. It was difficult during that time because for my mom to be a single mother and barely be home due to work was difficult. With that being said, my mother's father and her brother moved in as "help". My grandfather wasn't really an issue, he was okay. My uncle on the other hand not so much. Granted to some people, they may not have a problem with how he handled us. On weekends he would have me clean the whole house, while my brother had to go in the backyard and pick weeds and clean dog poop. Sounds harmless, right? Well for me it wasn't that bad, but it was opposite for my brother. With doing his outside chores in the blistering heat, he was not allowed to come back in the house for a break or to get water. And to give a better perspective on the situation. I was maybe about 7 or 8 when this began, which means my brother was about 5 or 6 (he is 2 years younger than me). Yep. Not sounding that great, huh? And as time went on we began to see the difference in treatment, not only by our uncle, but from the rest of my mother's side of the family as well. I know this probably isn't the best beginning to a story, but I feel like this is the best way I can tell it. One piece at a time. Maybe then I will feel the weight lift from my shoulders and possibly start letting go of the past and create a better future for myself and my own family.
By CC Carr6 years ago in Families
A mother’s love
What is a mother’s love? A mother’s love is sweet, kind, tough, and unconditional. A mother’s love has boundaries when crossed you will feel the loss. Without a mother’s love it is harder to overcome life’s obstacles. A mother’s love helps us regain strength, hope, confidence, and faith that everything will work out in time. A mother’s love let’s us see the light in everything. A mother’s love is like having arms around you comforting you as you go on your journey in all the stages in your life. A mother’s love knows when it is being taken advantage of and you will then see a mother’s love start to fade. A mother’s love will then turn into tough love, so that you know when you take a mother’s love for granted, when you need it the most it won’t be there.
By Gwendolyn Farris - baldwin6 years ago in Families
Facing the Cardinal
Dan parked his car in the gravel lot of the small apartment building just as you turned onto Bird Road. The 4-unit brick complex sat across from the large yellow home with the big lot that faced the main road. Just across the road, the train tracks reliably rumbled hour after hour. Visitors often found the noise jarring, but if you lived there, you were used to it and at night, the soft, low sound lulled you to sleep.
By A.6 years ago in Families
Christmas Memories
Christmas Memories I remember when Christmas the holiday used to be fun and joyous. Not so commercialized like it is today. You used to enjoy time with your family and friends. Sometimes it was a time for old friends you have not seen in a long time to come around. Reminisce about days long past. Children now a days would not know of what is was like before. All they seem to look forward to is what will they get under the tree.
By Dina Severino Todd6 years ago in Families
Homeschool: How and Why We Started...Part II
It's now August, 2019 and we're as excited as ever! Let's All Get R.E.A.D.I.N.G was ready! Back to school shopping, in the most budget-friendly way, was done! Lesson plans were made and ready to execute. Our learning area(s) secured: Any- and everywhere!
By Erika Harris6 years ago in Families
Two New and Ridiculous Games to Play During Quarantine
Today, I am very excited to share with you two new ridiculous games that are sure to sweep the quarantined nation. I am pleased to say these games have been thoroughly assessed by the ultimate professional of fun dumb things, a 6-year-old kid. If you are in need of indoor entertainment, or a way to burn off some pandemic-related frustration, give these a go.
By Erica Ball6 years ago in Families
The Dilemma of Robin's Birthday Party
Waiting to pick up my son outside of his friend’s home reminded me of the day I learned that my parents were afraid of white people.
By Cocoa Griot6 years ago in Families