Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
"Laudatio"
"Give Thanks," proclaims the Vicar, from the front of the cavernous church. His loud and confident command, however quickly softens, perhaps in respect of the service he conducts, or embarrassment at the negligent faces of a congregation, who would rather do anything but 'give thanks' for something that has torn their hearts into shreds, and buried the fragments on some painfully distant desert island.
By Hannah Kawira Hartwell7 years ago in Families
Five Activities To Help Your Kids Beat the Heat This Summer
When summer hits, and school is out, most parents are left wondering how they'll keep their kids entertained. While the internet has a lot to offer in terms of things to do, this can result in your kids gluing themselves to screens for longer than you'd like. If you'd like to get your children outside, but know the heat will be a problem, you have options. There are many activities, including these listed below, that can keep them cool and away from televisions and computers:
By Jade Pulman7 years ago in Families
The Evil Bio-Mom?
Growing up, I pitied the evil stepmother. From Snow White to Cinderella, fairy tales and movies, the stepmother was branded with a bad reputation. Even though her history was often a story of suffering, grief, and abandonment, she was vilified taking on all the glorious attributes of her wicked behaviors. Often, she was an older women, sometimes a mother, and sometimes not. She may have been a widow or an ambitious, childless female, hungry for power and wealth. She was a home wrecker, a whore, and sometimes a sorceress who sold her soul for her own personal gain. Incapable of being loved for who she was, she resorted to trickery, seduction, witchcraft or magic to lure the innocent and unassuming father into her web. Except for Carol Brady, the loving matriarch from The Brady Bunch—biological mother to three girls, and stepmother to three boys, she embodied the all or nothing, full-in mother that most women aspire to be, or view as an unattainable dream. However, the first Mrs. Brady was dead, so it was an easy story line to sell during a time when divorce was an infrequent occurrence.
By Andri Efstathiou7 years ago in Families
Child Abuse Prevention
Sometimes preventing child abuse doesn’t come from calling a hotline. Sometimes preventing child abuse starts with taking a deep breath, and following the path of most resistance… it comes from breaking the cycle, and beginning the heart-work of repairing one’s self.
By Marnie Grundman7 years ago in Families
Mom 2.0.1
Well it’s been over a year since my little family became official, and I am amazed at how much things have changed. I am still not sure I can do this on a few days, but there are a lot more days that have me stunned at how blessed I really am. Those blessing have come with lessons—some painful, some joyous.
By Christina Gonzalez7 years ago in Families
5 Ways to Better Provide for Your Family
Providing for a family is something that is amazing, but can also be extremely stressful if you do not take the right steps to a secure future. It can be a little confusing on where to start, or maybe you do know where to start, you just do not know how to accomplish those goals.
By Jade Pulman7 years ago in Families
The State of Bereavement
Well, it finally happened. I finally found something that I still cannot believe. No, I did not win a Powerball lottery. I did not marry a starlet. No, I did not discover gold or create a new invention. What I found was quite the opposite. I found the new low point of my life. It is the lowest point of my life and it is called bereavement.
By Maurice Bernier7 years ago in Families
Diary of a Doormat
I feel like I have been talked out of my feelings my entire life. When I'm angry, I never know how to express it without saying the wrong thing, or bringing in things that aren't even relevant to the conversation. I have absolutely no road-map to go on, but worst of all, I have no ground to stand on. I never feel like I am worth standing up for.
By Elizabeth Webb7 years ago in Families
How Toxic Masculinity Ruined My Relationship with My Dad
Growing up, I wasn't the most "boyish" kid you would have met. I had zero interest in playing football, watching sports, or doing anything that someone would think fits with the stereotypical "man" gender role. I took greater joy in pretending to do hair, fake cooking, and wearing things on top of my head and pretending it was hair. In my eyes, what I loved doing was normal, but in my father's eyes, it was anything but that. My father had a totally different idea of what was normal for my gender. He believed that I should be outside, playing sports with other boys. He believed that I shouldn't be putting things on my head and acting like it was hair. He believed I should be tough, and that I shouldn't cry. This is toxic masculinity. I wish I knew about that when I would cry and he would scold me and tell me that boys don't do that.
By Chris Edwards7 years ago in Families
Youngest of Three
There are very many people who were the third born, but when it comes to those sibling videos, they are always about two siblings and never three. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the youngest sibling, this list does not apply to everyone it is mostly a personal preference, but maybe it can teach you a few things.
By Adrianna M. Braun7 years ago in Families
Baby’s Firsts: When Should I Schedule My Infant’s Appointments?
Having a child is considered by many to be a major life milestone. Although many couples are waiting longer to have children, there were approximately 3.95 million live births in the United States during 2016. That same year, roughly 1.2 million millennial women gave birth for the first time, representing 82 percent of births during this period. But whether you’re in your mid-30s and recently discovered you’re expecting or you’re pregnant and in your early 20s, there’ll be a whole lot of firsts to contend with—including your baby’s first medical appointments.
By Carlos Fox7 years ago in Families
Life of a Super Mommy
Definition of a, “Super Mommy:” SUPER busy, SUPER tired, but SUPER blessed! There are days where I feel like I am winning at life. The kids wake up in a good mood, they are not arguing, because the other is looking at them (this is apparently a reason to be upset in my home), we are out of the house on time, and nobody forgot a shoe. Sometimes I even have good hair and make-up day too, but those days are about as rare as snow in Florida.
By Bridgette Diana7 years ago in Families
