Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
When My Mom Broke Scrabble
I had no social life in college. My hard-working immigrant parents couldn’t afford my college tuition, so I bartended at a TGI Fridays full time, leaving me with no energy and no time to go to parties and do keg stands. When I wasn’t working, I’d come home from school, catch up on my studying and then set up the Scrabble board on the kitchen counter. My playing partner was Jacqueline, a cousin who lived only two houses away because Cubans have a tendency to stick together, regardless of the country. Jacqueline was only thirteen years old but mature for her age, so much so that I'd often forget she was still a budding teenager. I would talk to her about school, bartending, boys, everything. She would sit and listen to me and offer me feedback.
By Yvonne Castaneda7 years ago in Families
6 Ways to Give Back to the Community as a Family This Winter
Although serving your community all year around is very important, it is especially important during the winter months, when temperatures are very cold and frigid in most areas. Getting the whole family involved in helping the community is not only a great way to make an impact on the environment around you, but is also a great way to teach kids about those less fortunate and how to give back. Below are a few simple ways to help serve the community as a family, especially during the winter months.
By Damien Justus7 years ago in Families
Guide to Choosing a Mattress for Children's Health
It's not a secret anymore that you need a quality mattress to power through your day without any tiredness or heaviness in the body and mind. When you feel your body is giving up due to ache and discomfort, the first thing that you need to check is the condition of your mattress. A damaged or old bed can fail to relax your body. The same thing can happen with your kid if his or her mattress is not proper. A kid can be healthy and active only when he or she gets sound sleep. And as you are aware, the choice of a surface on which your kid sleeps can play a substantial role in this.
By Silvia Watson7 years ago in Families
My Father, Myself
The red light was flashing on my answering machine when I arrived home that warm summer evening. I casually dropped my tennis bag onto the kitchen floor, wiped the last few drops of perspiration from my forehead and pressed the play button. The machine quickly accessed the solitary message and replayed.
By David Marsden7 years ago in Families
Unmother
Being a woman, in any society really, is difficult. Because in all of them, the top thing for women is to be a mother. To give birth. To procreate. Which inherently isn't a horrible thing. It can be a beautiful thing. But it also puts an incredible amount of pressure on us. Those who aren't ready. Those who may never be ready. Those who want but can never ever have. Those who know for sure they never want them.
By Aurelie M Jones7 years ago in Families
Thoughts From a Working Mom
As I parted ways with my "babies" and my husband, I had a thought. I would miss them terribly, but I was proud for all the work I had accomplished leading up to this moment, and I wanted to make them proud too. No guilt. Just wanting to represent for our crew.
By Amy Neuman Proffitt7 years ago in Families
10 Things Teenage Girls Need to Hear
Ok ladies, taking off the kid gloves for this one. As a mother of teenage girls, sometimes we have to have those less-than-fun convos about life stuff. Not a nagging sort of "clean up your room" talk. The real stuff. The stuff that might seem a little raw and maybe not so nice. Truth be told, and my girls will attest to this, I am not a sugar coat it kinda chic. I say it like it is, Love it or hate it. I would rather be real and have someone not be happy with me than not be true to myself just to get approval. Those days are done. And, when it comes to speaking truth to my girls, especially as teenagers, I gotta keep it real. If you can't handle the truth, you may not love this blog. But, I assure you, it's important.
By Amy Neuman Proffitt7 years ago in Families
Let’s Talk Nudes (Part 2)
I am the mother of three teenage girls... 19, 16, and 14. What I'm going to share with you is not a new epidemic, but has been going on for years. What I'm seeing is an infiltration of this issue at a younger age, and it's becoming more wide-spread and commonplace. So, here we go... let's talk nudes.
By Amy Neuman Proffitt7 years ago in Families
Being a Loner Is Not a Bad Thing
I have been a divorced mother for the past sixteen years, and my daughter has left to college, graduated after three and half years, moved back but this time with her boyfriend, got married and moved to Idaho. Afterwards, I became somewhat of a loner, though I come from a very large family, plenty of brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins that I can't count without putting it on paper. I participated at every single birthday party, wedding, baby shower, family trip and come from a family that does nothing else out of their circle. Literally, my family can get together every weekend at someone's house for years and years and years and this is all they ever want to do.
By Jeannette Perez7 years ago in Families
Why You Should Work from Home When You Have a Family
If you have a family, you probably keep them in mind with everything that you do. For example, when choosing a career, you might want to look for one that is going to be best for you and everyone else in your household. If this is the case, then you may want to look into working from home if you can. Although it's not an option for everyone, working from home can be a good thing for those who have families for these reasons.
By Sasha McGregor7 years ago in Families
