children

Children: Our most valuable natural resource.

Brand New
I spent the majority of 2020 on lockdown like the rest of the world, but growing a human inside of my body. To be honest, this wasn’t a planned pregnancy, but in no way was it an unwanted one. Five months in, I decided it was in my unborn baby’s and my best interest to separate from his father and be closer to my family. I flew from Hawaii to Indiana to move in with my parents like a good knocked up millennial during a global pandemic ought to do. It would be my first winter in over twelve years. Born on November 22, I rang in the New Year in bed with my six-week-old baby.
By Jenny 6 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book
As I slowly opened my eyes, the cold seeped into my skin as I felt it sink into my little bones as we were told to get up from our beds. The thin blanket that was covering me barely covered my toes and would not cover my shoulders, making me scrunch up my legs to my stomach to draw in the warmth of my body. I was thinking a little while longer, so as not to disturb the warmth that held me.
By Justina McKay6 years ago in Families
Gimme Half a Scoop and Hold the Yeller
“I jus’ don’t get it Sis. Why’s it s’ tall?” five-year old Bobby asked his older sister. Bobby slid his gloved hand across the base of the roughly hewn manger, the cradled bottom resting just above eye level. “How’re the people drivin’ by gonna see baby Jesus? Mary and Joseph must’ve been really tall!”
By Bryan R..6 years ago in Families
A World with No Smiles
When you are preparing to undertake the role of a parent, what are some of the things you consider? Sleepless nights, feedings that never stop, poopy diapers, play dates, outings with family, etc. All normal things for new families to undergo.
By Kathryn Quirk6 years ago in Families
ASD Snapshot: Eight Crane Toilets
I am in the women's change room at the local pool. Stepping into my bathing suit, I enjoy the familiarity of the half-lockers, pocked and dented; the tiled floor, two-toned—aqua and blue—and the wooden bench where I rest my tote bag. It's odd to be back, twelve years later, to where our children learned to swim.
By Teresa Hedley6 years ago in Families
Bridging the Close-Quarters Gap
In our house, we do everything as a family. Or, at least, we try to. You know, sometimes. Most of the time? Often enough, but if I’m being really honest, it’s something we should probably work on.
By Kristy Ockunzzi-Kmit6 years ago in Families
ASD Snapshot: Two Dogs
I am at Erik’s college and I cross paths with Marla, the free-spirited fortune teller. We immediately break into big smiles and hug. Marla isn’t really a fortune teller, but if you didn’t know, you would think she was. Her own son playfully calls her a cartoon character; and if she were one, she would be drawn in animated strokes, round, vibrant, small but large in presence.
By Teresa Hedley6 years ago in Families
Empty Nest
My first son was born when I was just 16 years old. So it's safe to say that I have become accustomed to figuring things out as I go along in life. 23 years and 2 more kids later, I've managed to keep us all alive.
By Shanz R. Smith6 years ago in Families
Baby Love
Fatherhood has changed me. Whereas once I would have entered a hospital room full of hesitation and self-doubt, today I don’t want to enter at all. Beyond this door is a baby. And what do I know about babies? This: they’re odd looking and they break easily.
By Guy Sigley6 years ago in Families
Hickory Creek, Inc.
It was one of those extremely hot summer days. The kind of day when you looked for any excuse to stay inside. Unfortunately, my parents were tired of my brother, Linus, and me sitting around the television. So, they sent us into the blistering heat. Someone alert DHS!
By Jeremy Jewitt6 years ago in Families
Becoming A Father
New Year's resolutions. Whether or not we write them down, make mental notes, pray for them, or even shout them from the rooftops, everyone hopes that the new year will bring some sort of positive change or improvement upon their lives. I have certainly never been the exception. Every year my resolutions circled the same themes. Weight loss. More money. Nicer house. Less debt. Hardly original goals but realistically the more common amongst most people I would imagine. Every year it was the same thing, and every year as the months dragged on they faded away into the mundane everyday goal of simply surviving.
By Jon Jones6 years ago in Families
Never Set Out to Raise Happy Children
How we are going to raise our kids is the second major decision we make as parents after we grapple over our hopes and dreams on which gender we’ve wanted since we were born. Actually, some parents are paying big bucks to choose the gender of their baby.
By Tiff6 years ago in Families