Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Being One and Done by Choice
As a kid, I always wanted to be a mom. I was constantly begging my parents to buy me baby dolls, and I would take them everywhere with me. I was always taking care of these baby dolls and practicing being a mom. I worked at a daycare for a year when I was 17–18 years old. That made me more set on the idea of wanting to be a mom and wanting a big family. I wanted about 3–5 kids, and I remember when I met my husband and started talking about our future I said I wanted to have at least three kids, and I would not settle with less. He agreed and before we got married we started trying for a baby. I was 20 years old when I had him. After we had our son, I realized being a mom was nothing like how I expected and that’s normal. After a year of having him, I started thinking about the possibility of him being an only. It was hard and I jumped back and forth between having another child in the future and not having another one. My son is now three years old and I am 23, and I am making an appointment to have my tubes tied. It is a decision my husband and I both agree with and, while it is our decision and our decision alone, we have gotten hate for this decision. So why am I posting this on a public site knowing I might get more hate for this? Because I know, while I might get hate, there’s going to be someone who is in my shoes who needs this. So here are some things I feel every one-and-done parent should hear.
By CinKay8 years ago in Families
Dad... A Daughter's First Love
As I'm sitting here, trying to figure out how to start this off, I'm almost at a loss for words. Not because there's nothing to say about my dear old dad, but because there is so much to say about him, that I don't even know where to start. His name was Roger Whited; he was 57 years old, living his life to the fullest. He was a proud father to three beautiful daughters, an ecstatic grandpa, and an affectionate husband. A loyal friend, a beloved brother, a faithful son, and so much more. On August 15, 2018, this amazing man was taken away from us. The man who in my mind, would've lived until he was nearly 100, left this world so unexpectedly. At this time, I don't want to share the details of what was wrong with my sweet daddy, I just want to reminisce about the good memories for now.
By Kristen Burgess8 years ago in Families
My Dear Mother-in-Law
Can we talk about mothers-in-law for a second? I know I left my last story half way there and I promise I will finish it, eventually. However, I wrote that story on my 5-hour flight to see my boyfriend since he started his PhD and moved 2000 miles away. I was so happy I was going to spend some time with him that it inspired me to tell our story. I’ve been here for two weeks and they have been bliss. It’s like our own little heaven where we help each other around the house and never wear pants just because we can. Now, his mother showed up Thursday and tomorrow, Sunday, is my last day here before I go back home and don’t see him again for god knows how long. She arrived and I already knew it was going to be difficult since I don’t particularly like her but I know he is happy she’s here and that’s all that matters to me.
By Diana B8 years ago in Families
Father-Daughter Bond
The bond between a girl and her father is a truly magical thing. I would know, because I have an amazing hero, a best friend, a fan at my side all the time.
By Foxspitt 🦊8 years ago in Families
To Be or Not to Be a Mompreneur
At the heart of every great mother should be a stable, secure, and strong woman who knows her worth, role, and value. As you can see from the photo above I am a proud mother of six beautiful children ranging in age from three to 20 years old. Becoming a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me but I did not want it to be the only thing that happened to me.
By Shafiah Khabeerah8 years ago in Families
Dear Old Dad
You gave me quite the scare, there. It’s not your fault, I know. I wasn’t expecting it- and that’s the real issue, I guess. Nobody ever is- or maybe they are, but are we ever truly prepared for the bad news? That trembling voice on the other end of the line, that shocking conversation that leaves you speechless? I don’t think we are. I’m certainly not. I remember when you called me and told me grandpa had passed. It made me hate my phone, made me not want to touch it. This was a close second. I now look at it with trepidation.
By Olivia Petras8 years ago in Families
Tips to Road Trip with Kids
If you’re traveling with kids, I can give you a few pointers, having done it many, many times. I’m going to give you tips on driving vacations and road trips. It can be very trying for you and the kids to be stuck in a vehicle. It can also be a fun adventure in itself. Here are a few tried and true methods that I have used, and they’ve worked.
By LittleFish BigPond8 years ago in Families
Goodbye Angel
Dear Aunt Janice, I have always loved you, you were always my favorite aunt. You were fun and we had a good time together. I will miss all the times we had together at family events. If not for your cheery face I may not have gone to any events at all. Being around family I barely knew or didn't know at all was always very uncomfortable for my sister and myself. I always had a great time with you. At Christmas time you always made it enjoyable, and I loved your cash present more than something I couldn't use you always knew what I needed. Thank god you never gave me ugly weird sweaters with Santa or kitty cats or dogs that bark. you had better taste than that you gave me money.
By amanda j mollett8 years ago in Families
Midnight or Sunrise
Prologue “Mommy, mommy where are you.” I ran around the playground looking for her, and I didn’t see her anywhere. It was getting dark. I was getting scared and cold.
By Katie Eagle8 years ago in Families
Should Parents Have a Say in Who Their Teen Dates?
“You want to date who?!” This question is asked many times by parents to their teens. Parents want to know who their child is dating, if they are dating, what this person is like, and every teeny tiny detail about the person their teen is interested in. Parents are like the FBI when it comes to dating for their teens, but is this good for the teens? I believe that parents should not have a say in who their teens date because it is the teen's love life, they will eventually find out if it is just not meant to be, and parents do not always see the other side of the person their teen is wanting to date.
By Dakota Love8 years ago in Families
More Kids or No More Kids
Being a parent is quite possibly one of the most rewarding aspects of my life, but it's not always all "sunshine and rainbows" is it?
By Krysten Michele8 years ago in Families
Mom-Shaming
I have noticed SO MUCH mom shaming happening today. The advice and questions begin pouring in when you first find out you're pregnant. There's the weird belly-touching part, questions about how you're feeling, how you're going to raise your child, etc. Then, as soon as the baby is born, there's almost a switch that's flipped. I've noticed it mostly with strangers than the people I actually know when they ask questions about your child. According to the current "standard norm of right and wrong" when it comes to having a child, I basically checked off every box on the list and I have heard every one of the following, most often from people I don't know...
By Amanda Roullier8 years ago in Families