Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Childhood Bullying
I remember those lonely, hard school days. Nobody would have believed how sad I really was because I always tried to fake a smile and pretend that everything was alright. I would dedicate myself to my schoolwork, even though I struggled, talk to other children, and try to engage in all aspects of school life.
By Carol Ann Townend8 years ago in Families
The Next 4 Months
The Best Day of My Life My pregnancy had been the longest and most difficult phase of my life but as soon as induction day arrived, it was a blur. I remember seeing Ryder's face for the first time and the world had stopped. It was almost surreal. This is the beautiful little boy I had cared for in my stomach for 9 months and now he's finally here. It was a lot to take in but it was also such a beautiful moment. For the first time, I felt unconditional love. Ryder was the most precious and sacred form of life. My hopes and dreams were now in physical form and in the palm of my hand. I couldn't help but stare in complete awe. Although he was completely perfect to me, the nurses quickly became concerned with the coloring of his skin. They determined him to be "jaundiced" and within a matter of minutes he was taken from me and set under "therapeutic blue lights." As a new mother, this broke my heart, but little did I know this was nothing compared to what we had ahead of us. Afterwards, I was granted the time back and spent most of the night with skin to skin contact to see if it helped calm down the jaundice. The morning after Ryder's birth, a technician came in to perform his newborn hearing screening. During the test I was chit chatting it up with my mom with absolutely no concern regarding his hearing. I mean what mom is initially worried about their son failing his hearing screening? The test finally finished and the technician told me he had failed his screening in both ears. My mom and I completely stopped our conversation in shock. I thought I had heard her incorrectly. I started to cry a bit. No mom wants to hear that their son might have a disadvantage ahead of them. The technician quickly reassured me it was normal for infants to fail the first time and it was probably just fluid in his ears. She said she would come back tomorrow and check again. This helped me relax a bit. It must be the fluid... no one on either side of our family has any hearing issues. There wasn't anything to be concerned about. The next day she came back and he failed in both ears once again. I had a pit in my stomach. The technician still assured me his hearing could still be okay and to come back in a few weeks to try again in case its taking the fluid awhile to drain out. I remained hopeful and tried to put the situation in the back of my mind. I mean we were still concerned with him being jaundiced any way. The therapeutic lights seemed to help his bilirubin levels and we were released on time. We went home with our little boy and things were looking up. Everything was going to be okay.
By Kayleigh Sayer8 years ago in Families
Teen Mom: The Resulting Child
Most everyone you talk to will have some friction with a parent or relative. Maybe this is because of a wrongdoing from childhood, be it unkind words, physical abuse, neglect, or any number of traumas that often come with raising another human being. While the severity can differ it can be hard to find closure or acceptance of yourself when you have been wronged by someone meant to love and protect you from the harshness of the world. I've found myself recently struggling with the strained and essentially nonexistent relationship I've had with my mother. I understand that my experience isn't the worst by far, but I hope to share some of the insights I've gained.
By Vickie R8 years ago in Families
Honeysuckles
The sound of my boots crushing the autumn leaves sends a feeling of relief. The amusing sound of autumn reminds me of the crisp air and smiling pumpkins. Sounds of children fill the forest even though all I could see was brown and orange. I’m alone. In fact, I’m accompanied by my thoughts and hums. A tune we are all too familiar with:
By Queen Jordan8 years ago in Families
1 in 150,000. Top Story - August 2018.
“1 in 150,000 chance,” is what the doctor told us when describing the rarity of my son's new diagnosis, Zellweger spectrum disorder. All we knew was that this disorder was caused by mutated genes, and has a very poor prognosis. Our world was shattered. Our hope was shattered. And we had a long, broken down road ahead of us. This is my blog as a mother to cope and express my true feelings.
By Kayleigh Sayer8 years ago in Families
Thoughts Moms Have About Having Sex During a Family Vacation
Woohoo! You're on vacation. You booked. You saved. Your plane didn't crash. You and your entire family have arrived in paradise for the next 6 nights and 7 days. The sun is blazing, the water is clear, and even your grouchy kids seem to be genuinely excited and grateful. Obviously you aren't delirious and know there will be ups and downs, smiles and tears, and many lost hours of sleep, and of course there is no way in hell you're leaving this getaway without your husband begging for some action.
By Jus L'amore8 years ago in Families
No Mother of Mine Part 1
When you think of a mother, you think of a woman who is a caring, devoted, protective individual, right? Someone who would do anything for you, like a true selfless goddess, right?
By Kyrie Trenchcoat8 years ago in Families
Miracles
It was spring break and we were camping. The weather was very warm and when the sun hit your skin, it felt so refreshed and new. My family and I only camped for one night.
By Colie Farmer8 years ago in Families
475 Continued...
After crying for a few hours, I just laid there. I just felt so empty inside. This was the first time I had experienced a loss of someone so close.
By Bella E8 years ago in Families
10 Smart Ways to Prepare for Parenthood
Parenthood is never what you expect it to be—just ask anyone who already has kids. It's a journey that's full of surprises and will always keep you guessing. It will be fun at times, and sad at times. No matter what you see, you're going to end up seeing a side of yourself that you never knew you had.
By Sasha Konikovo8 years ago in Families
A Big Lesson from a Simple Banana
The old school bus #28 was packed the afternoon it left Pineville (NC) Elementary School and, about a mile farther, lumbered up Morrow Avenue with its load of rowdy-but-tired students. It stopped and deposited me, my younger brother, and Bobby—a kid with dirty hair, wrinkled clothes and a constantly-runny nose—just short of an old, dilapidated house with dusty bare spots among the weeds in the front yard. Bobby never said much and, when the bus let him off, took off running through the weeds and into the battered front door.
By Chuck Hinson8 years ago in Families
Here Captain! Dear Father!
For some reason I always picture my father in the week where autumn turns to winter. It’s his favorite time of year because it’s where he feels most comfortable, which makes sense because my father is a man who likes to feel comfortable. Comfortability is the first step to having the upper hand, I think, and the upper-hand is a mandatory thing for men like my father, no matter how few there might be. And there in my head, with him in those last few days of November, sitting in a rocking chair on my porch, puffing on a pipe, frameless glasses and all, pursuing a Robert Frost collection, I am okay with him having the upper-hand.
By Finnegan Alexander8 years ago in Families