Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Making A Change
Moving somewhere out of your comfort zone isn’t always easy (I know, I’m originally from a large city and am now living in a rural town). The move was needed because the city we are originally from was no longer safe for me and my children. It’s a big change, and does take a lot of time getting use too. Being from a large city surrounded by 996,000 people to 75,000 people is quite a change. As well as not knowing anyone and being away from my family (we were always really close). It took sometime getting use to the idea of being a stay-at-home mom as I worked in my home state. I didn’t know if I could handle being away from everyone, considering my leaving during a rough time with my family. My grandmother having breast cancer (luckily she beat it and is doing amazing) and my father starting to have health problems and not being able to work, as well as my sister finding out she is pregnant with her first child. It was extremely difficult not to be there for these things when I felt they needed me the most. It was overwhelming. I was homesick. My fiancé didn’t really understand aside from my family going through things as he was never really close to his family. We moved 5 hours away from everything and everyone. Once we moved down here, I got a new phone so I could contact my family whenever I wanted too, which helped quite a bit with my feeling homesick. I was feeling relieved. I’m not really someone who has to have friends as I’m more of an introvert depending on the occasion. But being home with my kids everyday helped me the most with adjusting to everything. I felt for the longest time that being a mother wasn’t enough, that I needed to work so I could also provide for them. But realizing that I am providing just by taking care of them everyday, well, that feels like enough. It’s not a job per say, but it’s hard work. Being depressed and stressed at first because I wasn’t use to not working (I loved working) and being overwhelmed easy under stress did take a toll on me in the beginning. I finally adjusted to my life. I still miss my family everyday. But as long as I still have them in my life makes things easier as I still have them in my life regardless of the situation. So I have to say, making this move has been the best decision in my life thus far. Deciding to move wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Deciding to take my kids away from the violent ridden city we once called home. Crime rates were rising as well as the rates of human trafficking were terrifying. I didn’t want that life for my kids. So needless to say, change isn’t always a bad thing. Especially if it’s for the bettering of whether it be your life or your kids. Go with your heart, and you’ll never be wrong.
By Cassandra Cowee 7 years ago in Families
The Epic Man
Growing up men tend to be under a lot of pressure. We are constantly competing against each other. Who will be the best from the rest.? We are expected to be epic in a variety of things. We aren't allowed to cry because that makes us look sensitive. Instead we are told to suck it up princess. Is being emotional considered to be weak. We are told its time to wipe away your tears. Its time to move on with your life. We can't even mourn properly our emotions are held in. We need to separate masculinity from leadership. The pressure from that is causing men to be overly manly. We have issues balancing our masculine and feminine. Some men are forced into leadership roles due to certain circumstances. They don’t have a choice because life gave them lemons. For example if a parent dies all of sudden. The boy has to become a man pretty quick. He has to take over the leadership role . Something he isn’t used to at all. If he has another family member that is critically ill. Who is going to pay the bills? Obviously it will be the son or daughter who has to work and pay them. When life throws things at you keep thinking positive. Growing up we are told to be epic in sports. Even though sports isn't what interests us. Why are parents so competitive? A child could be just a beginner in sports and parents expect so much. Is it because the parents have their own insecurity issues? Or are they demanding more from their child. We are still overcoming the fears instilled in us as a child. The reason parents are demanding they didn't get to do things when they were young. So the expectations are even higher now from their Child. Not all men are born athletes everyone is gifted and unique in different ways. Your child could be gifted or talented in something else. You wont know until you communicate and get to know your child. Due to lack of Confidence men suffer in today's society. We all want the best for our kids as a parent. Men are told be epic in studies. If your not a honor student society wont accept you. There are Men who have university degrees and they flip burgers. There are men committing suicide due to not being able. To handle pressure from their parents and society. They felt they were absolute failures and not good enough. So they ended their life why is that? The letter grades shouldn’t decide your fate unfortunately its true. Why is there so much competition to get jobs. Why make your child compete with other kids. The parents telling them hey you have to be a lawyer, a doctor, like your relatives son or daughter. They are forced to pursue something they don't want to do. They just do things to make their parents happy.If we don't achieve the results expected from us. There is a aftermath that men have to face. We are told we are a epic fail. We cant be anything in our life ever. The Confidence gets killed and the urge to pursue the dreams. Men are expected to be epic in bed. We do our best to provide for our family its still not enough. If we don't perform well we get thrown under the bus. We also suffer health wise while trying to get ahead in life. Men also lose out on life working so much. We tend to sit in regret because our life past by quick. Men's emotions and insecurities play a big part in society. Why is so much expected from Men? Is society or circumstances to blame. Where is the Justice for us? Justice would be served if society didn’t put a lot of pressure on men. So they didn’t have to be something that are not. Men can be allowed to be their true self . We should be allowed be us and accepted in society.
By Sammy Randhawa7 years ago in Families
Dance With Your Child
"Dancing is the most fun you can have. That is a scientific fact! I'm not sure if y'all knew that, so I'm telling ya now." This is the line with which I begin almost all of my children's shows. While it may not be completely accurate & I've conducted no actual scientific research, it gets a good laugh & always gets at least a few kids up and moving before the music even begins!
By Bradley Weaver7 years ago in Families
What Inspired Me to Leave it All Behind
A few months ago, I was working at an 8-5 job in an office. I would wake up, take my kids to school and hit the daily grind. I decided to join the legal industry because of all my past situations with my kids. I took a chance and some risks by just jumping in, but it paid off for the time being.
By Samantha Beach7 years ago in Families
My Proctor, My Mother
I was dating this guy and he was acting all kinds of shady, which was not like him. He had my state ID one day and I forgot to get it from him before he left or to ask him about where it was and he had just left . I was with my mom and so my mom drove to where he was going so that I could get it back. Later he called me and asked what was I doing around 1 am because he wanted to drive somewhere and talk. We drove out to Walmart after he got off work I guess so I wouldn't make a scene like a crazy person when he insulted my mom. Well, he asked me why my mom was following him like a crazy person. That pissed me off .He was mad because my mom drove where he was and he felt like she was following him so I asked him if he was doing something that he needed to be followed for and he said no .I was like why you gonna call her names when all she was doing was trying to get your attention so I can get my state ID? Which she did try to get his attention at that point Did she not trust him? No and she had never had a problem with him before so this was a first time kind of thing. I left and didn't want to talk to him because I was already not trusting him by the end of that night. My mom made jokes about following him saying if she was following him he wouldn't know it. And he wouldn't have.
By amanda j mollett7 years ago in Families
A Mom Beyond Compare!
In describing someone, it was once said that someone like that "rarely" came along............ Well, this story is about a gentle, kind and loving soul who DID come along. She was the jewel of my eye and the beating of my heart. She was a person who had a heart that was bigger that all of the 50 states combined. She was my first friend. She was my Mom.
By Maurice Bernier7 years ago in Families
Seven Stories, One Easel
I am awoken by what sounds like 100 bees flying right next to my ear, as well as an irritatingly painful scratching on my chest. I slowly open my eyes and I see my brother, Douglas kneeling next to me, with his face intensely focused on my torso. I push him away saying something along the lines of, “What the fuck Doug!?” He giggles in his notorious, feminine-like giggle that he only let out when he was somewhere between nervous and humored. I realize he has a full tattoo kit next to him, and a tattoo needle hovering an inch above my bare chest. I slap the needle from his hand and repeat the words I had just said. “Check it out” he says with the enthusiasm a child has as their parents open up their Christmas gift. I run to the bathroom and lift my shirt. I am beyond speechless as I realize there is a tattoo on my chest. A real one, real fucking ink on my real fucking chest. I examine in more and see the beauty it actually withholds. Douglas was never artistic! What is going on!? There is a sailboat pushing its way through rough waters. It is a simple drawn sailboat with just a few geometric shapes to create it. The boat has ‘DMW’ inscribed in it, my brothers initials. The flag on the top of the boat is purple, the color of the overdose awareness ribbon. Around the decal is a quote, “I cannot control the wind, I can only adjust my sails.” That was my brothers favorite quote, he learned it during his 250-day stint in rehab and preached about its hidden meanings for months. I turned to look at him to ask him how the hell he did this to me, but he was gone.
By Chris Williams7 years ago in Families
