Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
A Letter to My Narcissistic Father
Dear daddy, I want to start off by saying I’m sorry. You made me who I am today. I should’ve told you thank you for every little thing that you have ever done for me. When I was a little, you were all that I had and all that I would have ever needed, and you knew that. I honestly don’t know where I would be in the world if it wasn’t for you. So, I’m very appreciative of you and for being the person that you are. Growing up, I always knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that you would always be there for me. You handled everything that needed to be handled for me, for your daughter, your first born. You were always my number one, even though I probably didn’t make you feel that way. I was mean and said things to hurt you, as you did me. I thought all of your punishments were stupid and still do, but like I said it made who I am today, so in a way, I guess, thank you. Through 17 years, I needed you more than you could’ve ever known. I needed you to make me smile when I was down (because you always could without trying). I needed you to tell me that things were going to be ok when I felt like the whole world was coming down on me. You were my hero and my everything, and for that I want to tell you thank you.
By Taylor Olson8 years ago in Families
My Struggle That Turned into a Blessing
It all started as an average day. I stumbled out of bed, showered, got dressed, and headed out for work just like any other day. It wasn't until I was at work, hovering over a stick, in a tiny bathroom filled with hardware, when everything changed. This was the day I found out I was pregnant.
By Tori Lynne8 years ago in Families
Downsides of Dating Baby's Daddy
There was baby’s mama drama surrounding a guy I dated years before. My ex-boyfriend had kids by an ex-wife as well as an ex-girlfriend. I had known several women whose lives had been inconvenienced by the constant wrath of the moms their boyfriends or husbands had left behind. Fortunately, the only issues I had to deal with were minor. But after that relationship ended, I avoided men with children, because usually there was a resentful mom in the picture. My temperament was not going to tolerate interference from a woman who refused to recognize the need to move on from the man I was currently seeing. Nor was I going to put up with disrespect out of a man’s children.
By Hillari Hunter8 years ago in Families
I Am Not a Stigma
Dear Stranger, My child is not your burden. I am a single 23-year-old mom, but my life is not over. I see the looks you give me when you ask if I'm married, the pity you give because you think I am asking for it. I promise you I am not. I am a single mom, this was not my plan, but in no way is it a mistake.
By Harley Rose8 years ago in Families
Fights Every New Mom Has With Her Mother
When I had my daughter, there were a lot of things people didn't tell me about having kids. I wasn't expecting everyone to mommy-shame me. I wasn't expecting everyone to forget I existed as a human being, or for everyone to forget that a mom's needs matter, too.
By Sasha Konikovo8 years ago in Families
Healing Powers of Children
Do you see the picture attached? Those are my two beautiful children. Cute, huh? Ever felt as if whatever you were or maybe going through in life has you down? Emotionally drained? Uninspired? Even depressed? I’m writing this to let you discover how a typical, young, single, African American, mother of two overcame my mental burdens and found out that my children have healing powers. And so may yours!
By Ray NiCole8 years ago in Families
My Mother Changed Her Name 70 Years Ago, Now She Can't Leave the Country. Top Story - April 2018.
My mother was a dreamy ten year old — smart and precocious. She hated her given name, Sandra, because kids pronounced it either Sanndra or Sahndra. Both of which drove her nuts.
By Rick Schwartz8 years ago in Families
Remember
My legs shook as if under a hundred times more weight than normal. My mother’s hand felt cold, lifeless, like a dried flower crumbling in the wind. As I let go of her, I turned to face my destination. Thirty feet, then up four steps, then another ten feet to the left. I looked down at the carpet. It was the same color it's always been, and yet today, it seemed monochrome. Up the steps, looking, I saw familiar faces, but I found no ease; no comfort. I turned left, glancing out the glass door at the line of cars. I stopped, attempted to take a breath, but the air eluded me. Looking up, two thousand eyes fixed their gaze on me. I felt their penetrating, tear-filled stare. An eon passed in a matter of seconds. I found air. Blood rushed to my head. I felt a heartbeat in my throat. I pulled out my phone, fumbling to open the words I spent hours crafting. The screen came to life, and I began to read.
By Hyrum Simms8 years ago in Families
9 Signs Your Baby Is Going to Be Big
During the first few months of your pregnancy, it's difficult to tell exactly what you are having. Until you go in for another ultrasound visit when you're around five to six months, there's a lot that the nurse can tell you, from the gender or whether the baby is developing any form of disability. But can you tell the weight of your baby? It's tough at times, especially when you yourself are picking up a lot of weight. However, the weight of your child can even be determined by your weight.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Families
