extended family
All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.
Beloved
Flowers cascade down the aisles of a quiet church, the pews filled with friends and loves ones. At the alter stand the largest of the arrangements, fragrant flowers wafting their perfume, through the chapel, certain to create and evoke scent memories in future recollections of this day. The parishioners file in and will soon file out, with whispers of, “It was a beautiful service,” “The flowers were so lovely,” and “I’m sorry for their loss. His passing was long in coming, but so sudden.”
By Alexandra Grant6 months ago in Families
What Judges Consider When Approving Parenting Plans in Florida
In Florida, parenting plans are a required part of any case involving minor children, whether the parents are divorcing or were never married. A parenting plan outlines how parents will share responsibilities and time with their children. Before a plan becomes enforceable, it must be approved by a judge who evaluates whether it serves the child’s best interests. Understanding what judges look for when reviewing parenting plans can help parents create arrangements that are more likely to be approved and that provide stability for their children.
By Grant Gisondo7 months ago in Families
The Yellowed Booklet
I visited home recently and decided to help my parents go through some of the old belongings and clear out things we no longer needed. One day, my father opened a box tucked inside a long-forgotten bag. As he sifted through its contents – old passports, letters, papers, and receipts – he pulled one out and handed it to me.
By Harpreet Lota7 months ago in Families
Grandma Doesn’t Want to Spend Every Single Holiday at Her Daughter’s House!
In this Reddit post, a grandma who adores her daughter and grandchildren is forced to spend every holiday at her daughter and son-in-law’s house. Because the SIL doesn’t want to shuttle between homes.
By Marie Dubuque7 months ago in Families
Adult Kids Uninvited to Mother’s Easter Celebration
In this Reddit Post Mom made it clear she was dis-inviting her adult kids and grandkids to Easter dinner. Why? Because one of her two daughters asked that the Easter celebration be moved to her house, two hours away.
By Marie Dubuque7 months ago in Families
Do I Have To?
Tuesday was a “national” day of celebration, but not everyone was in a celebratory mood. While our nation and others were partying and gorging themselves on corned beef, potatoes, cabbage, and an overabundance of beer, one person was grieving and sinking into a rabbit hole of sadness over the death of a parent.
By Alexandra Grant7 months ago in Families
In the End, Family Is Everything
"Family is not always about blood. It is about the people who choose to stand beside you when life becomes difficult." In a world that moves too fast, where everyone is chasing something — success, money, recognition — there is one place where we can still return without needing to prove anything.
By Zakir Ullah7 months ago in Families
The "most crucial" ages for human brain growth, maturity, intelligence, and general ability are four.
From the time of our birth until the very end of our lives, our brains undergo gradual changes. These shifts influence how we learn, think, remember, and react to the world. They might be gradual at times or abrupt at others.
By Francis Dami7 months ago in Families
Love That Acts, Not Love That Speaks
When Love Became a Language Instead of a Practice In modern parenting culture, love is increasingly defined by what is said rather than what is done. Emotional affirmation, verbal reassurance, and constant validation are treated as the primary evidence of care, while less expressive forms of love are often overlooked or misunderstood. A parent who says “I love you” frequently and validates feelings consistently is assumed to be providing something essential, while a parent who demonstrates care through sacrifice, consistency, and enforcement may be perceived as distant or emotionally limited.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast7 months ago in Families
