Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Our Miscarriage
I have always wanted to have a chil, but I never really gave it much thought until 2014-2015. I was working as a cashier at Walmart and this lady came through my line with her newborn baby girl in the car seat, and she was just glowing; she was smiling so big at the baby, singing to her as she patted the baby's feet together, and talking in a baby voice. You could tell that she was enjoying being a mommy. It warmed my heart for a bit, but I went on with my day, but as my shift went along I noticed more and more babies and toddlers coming through my line. Not every parent was full of joy like my first customer, but even the angry parents seemed to enjoy having a "minnie-me." That's not what made me want to have a baby though. This one lady had two cart fulls of groceries and about six kids and a baby with her. "Boy, you have your hands full today," I said to her, thinking that she had other people's kids with her, but she told me those were half of the bunch and that they were her kids. I looked at her with complete shock as she laughed and told me the story of how she has thirteen children, I couldn't believe it and asked her what made her and her husband decide to have so many children? The lady had told me that after having about three, they had decided to keep having more because they brought so much joy to them. I saw the joy and the glow in her face as she just hummed a tune to her baby and held his hand, making the loud, echoing store be still just for a moment in peace. That moment I had a sudden urge of wanting to be a parent. I thought maybe it was just baby fever, but ever since that day I still want to be a parent.
By Kaela Roettger9 years ago in Families
The Birth of a Human
We've all heard that parenthood will change your life and that you fall in love with the little person you created (or adopted), the moment you see them for the first time.
By Sonica M9 years ago in Families
14 Years Old
Fourteen years is how old I was when it all happened. I realized I wanted to live in New York City, my mom was having my little sister, I tried to harm myself, and my dad left us. We found out about my dad's affair when my little sister was already born, when we found out our entire world came down and in that moment I knew my life was not gonna be the same. My dad still lived in the US but would just leave out of the blue to see his mistress who lived in Ecuador. So it was just my mom, older sister, my baby sister, and me. He never cared what that did to us, he never cared how much pain he caused my mom, he never cared that he ruined our family, but most of all he did not care that he was leaving a new born to grow up without a father. I once had my dad on a pedestal. I would always wish to find someone to love me the way I thought my dad loved my mom. Now, all I ever wish for is to never find a man like him because he is not even a man, no real man abandons a family for a 26-year-old girl who got involved with a married man.
By Mary .9 years ago in Families
What Do Stay At Home Moms Do All Day?
I'm a wife, stay at home mom, photographer, and a sometimes writer. But being a mom and wife are my first priorities. And every once in awhile I'll encounter the question, "What is it, that you do all day?" Now, this question can be really infuriating, but it always makes me wonder where it comes from.
By Shana Nizeul9 years ago in Families
12 Instances When Ryan Reynolds's Twitter Gave Fantastic Updates on Raising His Children
#RyanReynolds is one of the biggest stars working in Hollywood today. Whether he takes a more serious approach in psychological horror roles like The Amityville Horror and Buried, or he is off being a straight up fantastical genius as Wade Wilson in #Deadpool, audiences love them this Canadian talent.
By Ghezal Amiri9 years ago in Families
3 Things Parents Don't Understand About Their Millennial Offspring. Top Story - January 2018.
1. The Power of Passion Ever asked your Millennial, “Why don’t you just get a solid 9–5 with health care and a 401K? Ever thought about working for the state? They have great benefits.”
By Amanda Tynan9 years ago in Families
Funeral Costs: Adding Insult to Injury
This sculpture captures exactly how families feel after a loved one passes away. And after they're forced to pay an absurd price for his/her funeral. Photo credit: PKH Photography (My mom's photo). Used with permission.
By Meghan Hirst9 years ago in Families
Teaching Children Resilience: 4 Strategies to Develop a Growth Mindset
"I'm rubbish at spellings... I never get them right." These words have been bouncing around in my head today after my six-year-old blurted it out during her morning practice. I know she can do it, and she does very often do well in her tests. But all too often I see her becoming frustrated and angry at herself for not being able to get them right as quickly as she would like.
By Daisy Willand9 years ago in Families
Growing Up Without a Dad
Growing up without your dad around, or not seeing him often...it affects people. As much as people had to admit that it's bothered them, believe me...it has. The reason I've decided to speak about this is that it's something which I can relate to deeply. I didn't see my "dad" very often as a child, and when I did... it's not exactly good memories which I can recall. And honestly, I feel like this subject topic is not spoken about enough, more often its just avoided because the people who can relate to this situation lack/ignore the emotion to connect with it and speak about it. So here I am, speaking openly about it for the first time and about how much it's actually affected me.
By Who Am I?9 years ago in Families
How Do We Live?
I often think about the words that we have left unsaid. Like a burning on the edge of our tongues, we long to say it, but we fear the hurt that may follow. If we always said how we really felt and not filter it based on the person, what would be the response? We hide behind words that are meaningless and empty, while our hearts ache in pain.
By Heidi Sunshine9 years ago in Families
Moms Have Dreams Too!
Mothers everywhere are often condemned for daring to do what everyone has a right to do. Dream. Mothers are often thought of as a person who has it all together. Dream career, dream house, and dream husband. But what if she doesn't have those things? What if a mother has her child prior to finishing college? Or if she isn't married yet? If a mother chooses to attend college post baby, she may run into some scrutiny.
By wendy tosto9 years ago in Families
How Does Child Abuse Happen?
Child abuse, how it happens, how to recognize it, and how to stop it, has always been an area of interest for me. I was abused mentally, physically, and sexually as a small child. I was saved from the horrors in my life, but not before I was old enough for it to permanently scar me. My abuse has effected my entire life; it has affected how I am with people, my ability to have long term relationships, and worse than that, I have had nightmares since I was a kid.
By Merilynn Bezzic9 years ago in Families