Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Dear Daddy
Dear Daddy, Thank you for making me your daughter. Even though blood says that I’m not yours you’ve always gone above and beyond to show me that I’m yours. Thank you for giving me your last name. You didn’t have to but you did and for that I’ll always hold on to it. Thank you for always giving and showing me love. Each day of my life you never failed to show me that you love and care for me. I remember those days when I was a little girl and you’d come home from work to shower me with hugs and kisses. You’d tickle me and throw me in the air. You’d pretend to play me like a guitar when we’d listen to crazy music. I remember those days when we’d struggle together to comb out my hair for school. It was frustrating to me but you always made it better when you tried. We’d laugh about it because it was always worse than what I did. I remember you’d make me sit and watch the animal channel with you. Oh how I hated it! But I loved it because it meant that you still wanted to spend time with me. I also remember those shows that you made me watch about the kids who’d invite strangers to their house. Those shows stuck with me because it showed me what not to do. Til this day I’ve still been afraid to meet people on the internet. Each year for Christmas was hard because we never had enough money for many gifts but you always managed to make it the best. Each year I always got a few extra gifts from you. I remember each year on Father’s Day I’d always make you a card. Do you still have them? It’s ok if you don’t. You’ve always treated me like a princess. And I want to say thank you for that. You never made me feel like an outsider and you’ve always been there for me through it all. Whenever I call you’re there on other side of the phone line helping me out. You are a super dad and nothing less. You can get a little crazy sometimes but I know it’s all for the best. I LOVE YOU! And I could never thank you enough but I’ll never stop trying.
By Human Human8 years ago in Families
My Life as Momma
My high-risk OB appointment was the on the twenty-second. I see her about every month, so we can keep an eye on baby's growth and hopefully determine when and if there will be any reason to suspect that things will get difficult. Well, I found that exact thing out at this appointment.
By Aaren Murphy8 years ago in Families
The Day My Life Changed Forever
Sunday, March 19, 2017. It was a gorgeous sunny day and my boyfriend and I decided to spend the day together out of service in Port Renfrew, British Columbia exploring and having fun. I had no idea that my life would forever be changed when I woke up that morning to the sun shining through my window. I distinctively remember seeing the time at 11:06 that morning when I got in the car to leave. That number forever edged in my mind—also happens to be my dads birthday. I remember the day so vividly. We visited a few beaches and hiked up Avatar Grove. We collected rocks and shells that until about two weeks ago I left sitting in the corner of my bedroom, untouched since that day.
By Kirsten Mackie8 years ago in Families
Paying It Forward to Other Single Parents
My daughter was three months old when I finally decided to leave. But I was six months pregnant when I was planning to. I finished some college and was bartending, but I decided to move in with him and became pregnant. I was eight weeks pregnant and landed a job as a server. This was helpful to me; nobody else wanted to hire someone who was pregnant. I was so grateful. I still am.
By Cierra Collins8 years ago in Families
Head Versus Heart
Have you ever had something on your mind and needed to get it out? Well, that is where I am at right now. I have something in my head I need to share. It needs to come out before I crumble. Hard part about it is finding someone to talk to, so here I am. I was hoping to find someone not related to me, someone who won't tell me what they think I want to hear, but the truth. Someone not afraid to shake me out of this. I so hate when my heart and my head go to battle. I have no clue which to follow.
By Lilithea Adasia8 years ago in Families
2012
I don't know why miscarriage is such a taboo subject and why no one ever feels they can talk about it but as a miscarriage survivor (and yes I say survivor because getting through it is a battle), I can't talk about it enough. Not because I want sympathy or the attention but more because I want people to know they are not alone.
By Cortney Grezlik8 years ago in Families
To All the Girls Who Grew up Without a Dad
Three little girls run around in the basement—which their mother has deemed their personal play space—laughing and shrieking in delight. On the floor is a man wrapped up in a sleeping bag, rolling around pretending to be a giant caterpillar intent on catching his prey; AKA my sisters and I. We jump on the backs of the sofas, something my mother never allowed us to do, to escape his playful clutches.
By Sophia Chajon8 years ago in Families
Things You Shouldn’t Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Have Kids
Everyone picks and chooses the milestones they’d like to experience throughout life, whether that be college, marriage, home ownership, or kids. However, somehow most people still expect you to do all of the above; and, when you don’t, are quite confused and concerned with things that, frankly, aren’t their business. Having children is a highly personal decision, and while some can keep quiet about it, others feel a strong urge to tell you exactly their thoughts on the matter, particularly when it comes to the issue of choosing to have or not have children. If the idea of not having a kid (or two or three) simply baffles you, then you’ve come to the right place; here are things you shouldn’t say to someone who doesn’t have kids, no matter how you know them or how you feel about the issue.
By Evelyn Starr8 years ago in Families
How I Went from an Only Child to a Woman with Two Siblings, Seemingly Overnight... at 40
It was a typical lazy Sunday. My kid was playing video games, I was folding and hanging up laundry. I decided a needed a break, so I went on Facebook, because...isn’t that what we all do while breaking? I had friend requests from some people whose last name I recognized, so I thought nothing of it. I accepted them all and went about my day doing laundry.
By Andrea Ortiz8 years ago in Families
My Choice to be Childfree—Part One
People who don’t want kids are constantly assaulted with questions whose answers are none of anyone’s business, and then dismissed when we provide the answers we really don’t owe anyone. Our choices are a comment on our lives and our lives alone, yet so many people take offense to it as though it affects them. What we say about parenthood and about kids doesn’t apply to anyone else, their lives, or their kids. Yet too many people internalize and take our choice and any instance in which we’re outspoken about it as an attack on their choices and their children. Don’t get me wrong: I know being a mom is hard. That’s not what this is about. It’s about the fact that women who are childfree are constantly invalidated and dismissed by society, other women, and sexist men. As much as some people might feel attacked by a list of reasons not to have kids, this isn’t meant to be antagonistic. It’s meant to be validating for people like me who have never wanted kids and have encountered antagonistic behavior at every turn as a result. So, if you’re like me and have made the choice to be childfree, here are 70 of reasons not having kids is great:
By Stripes Joplin8 years ago in Families
