Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
5 Ways to Make Busy School Nights Easier
5 Ways to Make Busy School Nights Easier Image: Envato After a long day, the last thing you want to face is a frazzled evening. Try to put in place small habits that can have a big payout for your children, tonight, tomorrow, and into the future. Connect fully over a meal and build a rhythm to keep the household running smoothly.
By Maggie Bloom6 years ago in Families
The Blessing of Being a Single Mom
I'm a mother of nine children. I'm a SINGLE mother of nine children. If this seems like a lot, that's because it truly is. At no point in anyone's life do they wake up one morning and decide that they would like to be a single parent, let alone to multiple children. While there are those out there who plan to be single parents, it is typically a very small number and definitely a case of a fairly successful and financially stable single individual who might have a ticking biological clock and no time for a courtship or relationship with a partner.
By Julie Michael6 years ago in Families
Being a Parent of Autism in 2020
Here is your counseling number! I said to 18-year old HFA son. Your 18, If you can play video games for hours you can sign up for college! Make a YouTube page, something! Then, I realize he didn't do it because neither had I. How could I teach what I don't know! Parents of children with disabilities are reminded daily that our kid's maturity level isn't an average young adult's mind. Our job isn't done, as a matter of fact, it has just reset. One in 40 children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism is a word thrown around more than A.D.H.D. That is why I can not stress enough to get to know your children is step one. Do not be like most Americans and allow them to become Labels or a part of a system that doesn't see them for how individually unique they are. I hate LABELS! We have many worries as parents. Almost half of the people who die at the hands of police have some kind of disability, while police interactions with minorities draw increasing scrutiny, disability, and health considerations are still neglected in media coverage and law enforcement policy. “I’m just different.”That’s what 23-year-old Elijah McClain told police in Aurora, Colorado before they killed him. Unfortunately, there are many in authoritative positions who don't care if our children don't really fit “the description”. So now our stress levels go from 0 to 100!
By Cat Estevez Martinez6 years ago in Families
Holidays with the Family: Keeping Your Elderly Loved Ones Safe
The holidays are just weeks away and, although they may look different this year due to COVID-19, many families are preparing to host their loved ones in their homes to celebrate together. While the holidays are a time of joy and companionship, welcoming an elderly family member, particularly one with mobility issues, into your home can come with a variety of safety risks. Fortunately, there are several simple things you can do to keep your senior loved ones safe - both in and outside the home.
By Hailey Parks6 years ago in Families
Happy weekend
It's another weekend, a full and busy weekend. I will stay with my family at home this weekend. There are things to do every day, with his wife, with his son, with his daughter, cooking, shopping, shopping, washing dishes, etc. It is the life of a family.
By Bun bun svz6 years ago in Families
Saved by an Angel
It was 2007 and I found myself in Queensland, Australia, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, I had recently arrived in Australia to house sit for friends, who were heading of on their 6 week dream trip to Europe and UK, as I drove them to the Airport I realised the only two people I knew were going away and leaving me on my own with just Tommy the Dalmatian dog for company.
By Penny Barradale6 years ago in Families
Thick as Thieves
Small towns are so much different than cities. Growing up in Puyallup I didn't consider my town to be a city, not until I lived in Jerome Idaho. We had one mascot for the entire town, The "TIGERS!" We had two neighborhoods that were considered "in town", the rest were rural homesteads and fancy houses in their own little world by the golf course. The roads were all grid pattern, we had one gas station, one grocery store, one bank and a post office. Plus all the little shops "downtown" off of Main St.
By Jordann Lee Myhre6 years ago in Families
Empty Stockings
I remember the first Christmas after we lost my grandmother. I was a teenager at the time and had a toddler-aged sister. My father was utterly beside himself with grief. Holidays at our house had always been so vibrant, full of people and love. The loss of my grandmother changed that for him. It made him sad in a way that I couldn’t understand. That was, of course, until I lost my own mother. Holidays were never quite the same, especially Christmas which was her favorite.
By Laynie Bee 🐝 6 years ago in Families
Musings of a Momma Bear: Anchor Point
I have a sign in my window. It's a piece of paper with my messy handwriting. It's been there for months, to the point I look at it without really seeing it anymore. But the other day I read it again, "Major life changes are a chance to redefine your purpose. I will live by example." Oh, man. I wrote this note to myself. I have not followed by own advice. Nope, I've been freaking out. For a while now.
By Sara L. Foust6 years ago in Families
How 10 years can change your life to the point of no return!
I am an Irish born woman, I love my home country and always want to go back but I am in a relationship with a Bronx born guy who will never move to the country that calls my heart home every day. When I move here, it was to help my 8 month prenant sister whom has arrived in NY two years prior to me. When I got to NY I was living the life any 21 year old could only wish to live. I was waitressing in an Irish Restaurant (go figure) and I finished work at 12am and when in NY what is there to do at that time when you've been working all day, go to the bar and join the fun. I was sleeping all day, getting up at pm and starting work at 3pm. That was a 9 hour shift, being paid $2 an hour + tips, the income wasnt what I imagined so I was sleeping on my sisters sofa. She went on and had the baby in October 2009, a beautiful baby boy, and I helped as I had planned on doing. Unfortunately, she left 10 months later and I decided to stay. I was heartbroken but life must go on. I had to adjust to life here by myself and make move to improve my living situation. I found a better job, an administrative assistant at a well known moving and storage company in Manhattan. It wasnt the Manhattan so many girls dream of working in, it was in the less than favorable part. Sometimes I wonder if I hadnt taken that job where my life would have gone. This point is where everything changed for me. Overtime after taking this job I changed Personally, and mentally. I dont want to give the whole story away in one shot but I went through things, so many things, that many people wonder how I had the strength to go on, or even stay in NY. I am going to make my story into many sections as there is so much to say and I dont want to bombard you all with it all in one go. Believe me when I say this story is one you want to read its full of betrayal in the worst way, having to pick myself back up, coming out on top again only to fall after giving birth to my first child. This story will never end as I still live this story, day after day, so you won't get bored that I guarantee you. Thank you for reading my first story and I look forward to continung the journey down memory lane with you all and bringing you into my life and understanding where my strength and my weaknesses come from. It all starts when I was a child in Ireland with an alcoholic mother, 6 siblings, 3 of whom I lived with and 2 I didn't live with and didn't know. Periods of time in care with an amazing family who I still love to this day. Please stay with me and you will learn every last detail about me and why I am the person I am today. Thanks you and much love, Zara xx
By Zara Lynch6 years ago in Families
