Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
3 Tips to Entertain Your Kids While Pregnant
Entertaining your other kids is more difficult as you carry your unborn baby. The waddling, swollen ankles and morning sickness can prevent you from keeping up with your other kids and make it harder to keep them entertained. Luckily, there are some ways you can entertain your kids without tons of effort on your part.
By Kari Oakley7 years ago in Families
What St. Paddy's Day Really Means to Us
Growing up in an Irish Catholic household was exactly as stereotypical as you’d picture; celtic décor as far as the eye could see without being tacky, of course (shamrocks-NOT clovers), we had claimed a designated section at church (left hand side when you walk in, about 10 pews deep), parents who could spout Irish history or song lyrics at the drop of a hat, and a mom whose response to anything even slightly less than favorable was “Jesus, Mary and Joseph”.
By Emily Christyson7 years ago in Families
Safe Ways To Encourage Your Child's Swimming Hobby
As children grow and begin to test the waters of ways to entertain themselves, it is natural for a few ideas to come into question that a parent may not love. Whether it be an artsier choice or more sports-related, like swimming, it is in your instincts as a caregiver to worry about possible injury or other risks. It is easy to be fearful of your child enjoying water activities, but considering how great of a hobby it can be, there are a few ways you can encourage your kid to do things safely.
By Olivia Picton7 years ago in Families
The Mothers in Me
I used to think it was cliché saying becoming a mother was the hardest and most rewarding experience all rolled into one. Mostly because I couldn't comprehend how I'd feel and react to how much my life was going to change. Six months ago my beautiful daughter was born, I was overwhelmed with the amount of love I felt for her, it was intense. I grew jealous of others coming over to visit my new bundle of joy, I didn't love them holding her and grew quite sad because I wanted her in my arms. I even got jealous of when my partner cradled her to sleep. Though internally, I'd become so used to carrying her for 9 months, it just didn't feel right not having her on my person after the matter.
By Beccy Fossey7 years ago in Families
Parents Must Love the Good and the Bad Kids
Last night I met Holden Caulfied. Alive and well Living in Texas. Let me explain. As parents, we are guilty of labeling kids. We witness certain behaviors. We label our children’s friends a “good kid” or a “bad kid.” Most of us have said, “I don’t want you hanging out with that kid!” My fatherly instinct is to protect my children. At the same time, I know I must allow them to navigate their own path — successes and failures.
By Jeff Livingston7 years ago in Families
Clowns are not scary
When I was about 8, around 1985, I heard about a contest on the oldies radio station. It was a drawing contest. Contestants were to draw their best picture of a clown and the winner would get to go to the circus for free with 3 friends and get their faces painting by the clowns before the show. So, I promptly drew my masterpiece clown and my mom sent it in.
By Dawn Smith7 years ago in Families
The nightmare I had become my reality.
It was around the first of the year Feb or March of 2003, I was only 13. My mother and I lived in town in a mobil trailer. My mothers room was at one end of the trailer and My room was at the other end. She says I scared her, I imagine It would have scared anyone, I woke her up screaming in my sleep. She ran to my room and started shaking me saying "krystal, baby wake up It's just a bad dream". I remeber I was drenched in sweat, crying and shaking. My mother was standing at the side of my bed, trying to get me to come fully awake and realize It was a bad dream, the whole time she was telling me "It was ok I was just having a bad dream." I got awake looked up at her, she said "baby are you ok?" What did you dream?" she said; I just looked at her for a min and then My reply was "I had a dream daddy died momma!" she said; "oh baby Its ok, Its was just a bad dream.
By Krystal Rowden7 years ago in Families
Your eulogy.
Her kindred heart, her kindred soul she had her own unique little way of making the little things count - and she didn't just make the little things matter but, she also showered your soul with caramelized kisses and added marshmallow hugs and honey drew praises. She was my inspiration, my role model one of a kind woman. She was only 75 when she passed. One month before her 76th Birthday. I was devastated. heart shattered in a million pieces. As this memoir depicts her life on this earth- I would like to share some wisdom words she passed on to me. ''Don't wait for time, for time will end up wasting you". Her kindred spirit allowed her to experience life with an open heart besides her hardships that she endured.
By Jannai Calderon7 years ago in Families
Rising to the Middle with Grace
The lady who has been the biggest inspiration to me is my mom. She's not a famous actress. Nor a movie star. She's not a recording artist or a millionaire. She is however, mine. I unfortunately have to share her with two other siblings, but it's okay. Life has taught me how to share. My mom has been my inspiration not because she taught me how to rise and be on top but because she's always inspired me to rise and hit the middle and through watching her land in the middle or just barely above ground has helped me see that there's hurdles that she couldn't jump that she left for me and it's up to me to jump these hurdles and lift her up, to help her climb over. My mom showed me how to get beat up. How to get knocked down. How to stay humble and Rise when people say you'll never amount to anything. My mom taught me how to smile in the face of adversity and believe in a greater power. She has shown me that her unequivocal unshakeable undeniable faith In the universeIs what gets you to a place of joy and happiness. A place without fear or torment? It allows you to have $3 in your pocket, a black in your hand and no lighter. It allows you to be at peace with yourself when no one calls for days to see if you're alive. When you have fallen and you wonder universe how am I going to get up and make it to the bed? It's because of her that I believe that I am enough. And I am so much enough that this world doesn't deserve the privilege of belittling me and putting me down or making me feel like less than who I am. I am someone special. I am magnificent. I am that special person that our higher power ntended me to be. And when I am looking through her eyes I see how wonderful I am and the potential that I have to do great things. For years, I watched my mom work tirelessly at 2 jobs trying to keep food on the table. Trying to keep a roof over our head. I saw how to cheat the electrical system by plugging an electrical cord up to your neighbors power because you couldn't afford to pay your own electric bill and you had to use someone else's energy because you couldn't afford to get your lights back on. I know what it feels like to have to boil hot water to take a bath. I know what it's like to go to a food pantry and eat beans for a week. And when everybody says you stink you realize it's because you're gassy from the beans that you've been eating all week and the fart smell has absorbed into your clothing hasn't been washed in a week. Because of my mom I made a personal vow to myself to do better, to be better. Not because I don't love her but because I watch her struggle and I realized I don't want that for me or my children. I don't want my legacy to be pinto beans, Baked beans, Navy beans, flour, water and unleavened bread. Syrup wish sandwiches and stale crackers. And for those of you who have never heard of a wish sandwich you have bread, Syrup and you wish there was something else to put in between. I strive for greatness not because I necessarily want to achieve it. It's because I want to be able to share it with the people that I love. People who've always dreamed of being admired and of having an overflow or an abundance of money, nice things, fancy cars, and big houses. I am completely content being poor, broke I don't mind not having money because what I cherish more than anything money can't buy. And that's love. But if it takes me acquiring lots of money in order to obtain the love that I so desire that my soul longs for then universe I pray to thee let me be rich. I am currently an up-and-coming author. When you hear the name Itasca Bryant, please remember this story. Buy the book not because you feel sorry for me. But because you want to feel the love that I put into my writing and you want to help me accomplish my dream. My dreams of acquiring more love and helping others feel loved. Support me because you want to support the universe and the potential that it holds when my words are shared.
By Itasca Bryant7 years ago in Families
Soul Sister
This one goes out to my only sister. Not only is she my blood, she is my best friend. My ally. My teammate; (literally). My role model. She embodies the person that I confined in, I look up to, cherish, and value. Even when we act like ugly beasts around each other sometimes, we still find it in our hearts to forgive, smile, laugh, and forget. She is the elder, only by 10 months, born in the same year as yours truly. Secretly bringing joy to those who are closest to her and have the privileged to know the real her, she has a way of orchestrating the story being told. Naturally talented in the department of charisma and charm; she is a beauty to behold. Radiant and warm behind the curtain she draws - which protects herself from strangers who want to steal her glowing, trusting, heart - she will light up a room if she would just draw back her walls. My sister, is the one and only true friend I have ever friend. I say this because she is the only one who has truly stayed by my side through thick, thin and just plain, upside down, no gravity type fiasco's. Maybe it's because we had to put up with each other for 18+ years since we lived under the same roof, so we were forced to get over it. Though, this only made our bond stronger. And even now, when we are at a breaking point in our relationship, we still both have the decency to reach out to one another and tell each other how we feel in order to heal; because we are soul sisters, not just sisters. Sister, you are genuinely and authentically my one and only; soul sister.
By I Was Here7 years ago in Families
