Top Stories
Stories in Families that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Attached
“I couldn’t be a Foster Parent, I worry I would get attached.” Foster parents hear this a lot, I mean A LOT. At least once a week, almost this exact phrase. We smile and nod, or just shrug our shoulders, because what can we say? It’s true, you do get attached. You love them, and when they go home, or to their forever family, your heart breaks and bleeds a little. It’s painful and hard.
Rebecca BaileyPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesThe Four Radical Things the Queen Did in Her Last Birth
Royal homebirth has been in the press a lot lately. Both Kate Middleton and Megan Markle considered having their babies at home, and just their suggestion was poignant—Royal homebirth hasn't been the norm for decades.
Natalie LennardPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesNo Offence, Benedict Cumberbatch
Pop-culture glorifies the autism spectrum disorder. In mainstream media, it’s as if autism is merely a socially awkward disorder compensated for by gifted genius. Think Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man, Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, and Benedict Cumberbatch in everything. Admittedly, Rain Man is a good movie and The Big Bang Theory is my favourite guilty pleasure—not ashamed… okay, a little ashamed—but autism is grossly misrepresented in these depictions, at least in my experience.
Jeremy MorantzPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesA Little Fish That Made Big Waves
Anyone who gets to know me knows that I LOVE tattoos. My entire body is essentially already mapped out in my mind, as to what I plan on getting next. I've been blessed to meet some great artists throughout my life who continue to grow in talent and character. Outside of being home with my wife and children, getting to hang out in a tattoo shop is my second place of zen. The sounds, scents, and conversations within just make me feel at peace. Some of my ink is for fun while other pieces have certain meanings that connect me to some rather important moments in my life. This is the tale of one of my more meaningful tattoos.
Nathan HuttonPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesGuide to Supporting Your LGBTQ+ Child
As Pride Month comes to an end, it is important to remember that queer pride should not just be reserved for one month of the year. LGBTQ+ pride needs to be 24/7, 365 days a year. The acceptance of queer and trans youth is especially important in the home and between family. For some parents, the thought of having an LGBTQ+ child may be difficult to understand, for others, it never even comes to mind until their child comes out. The fact is that queer and trans youth that are accepted by their families are much less likely to commit suicide, or suffer with depression surrounding their sexuality or gender identity. In general, acceptance increases thehappiness in the home, and in the child.
the.unstable.siblingPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesThe Bird and the Pearl
I had not eaten or drank anything all day. Yesterday was one month since my husband’s passing; food held no allure for me. A visitor stopped by in the afternoon, and it was probably the last person in the world that I wanted to see, yet in the queerest way I was thankful. I suddenly had the urge to lock-up the place I had been locked up in for three days, and go find something good out there. There must be a positive in this town, I thought.
LP SteinbeckPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesMy Mother's Pots
It's ungraciously early on a biting spring morning and I'm watching my youngest son haring across the school tarmac, little chuffs of steam trailing his wake in the white March sunlight, and I'm crying. Not with the sentimentality such inevitable maternal unbridling provokes—nor icy panic caused by my nest emptying at an alarming rate. I'm crying because the canteen staff are cooking meat and onions, and I'm remembering my mothers shepherd's pie.
J M HunterPublished 5 years ago in Families11 Things About Labour and Birth That No One Talks About
Two weeks ago, I gave birth to my first son Roman. He arrived at 6AM on January 8, four days early, on the date I wanted. I asked my belly and he listened. He shares his birthday with Bowie, Elvis, and Stephen Hawking, and I have never been so overwhelmed with love and emotion in my life. Everyone tells you, "You don’t know love till you have kids."
Samantha BentleyPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesNewborn Mom: Common Emotional Problems
Having a baby is one of the most life-changing events any woman will go through in her life. Even with multiple children, each newborn brought home forces the family dynamic and routine to vastly change. The key to getting through the first few months with a newborn at home is to enlist the help of friends and family that can help to carry on normal household duties and care for other children while you focus on tending to your new baby. It’s even harder for single mothers, who not only have to adjust to the new life but also, have to worry about establishing child support orders. Make sure you prepare well before giving birth, such as writing down a baby registry checklist if it’s your first child. In this way, you only have to think about your child’s well-being and your well-being.
Sophia MoorePublished 5 years ago in Families10 Reasons Every New Parent Needs an Owlet Smart Sock 2 Baby Monitor
It's every parent's worst nightmare. You worked hard to make sure your nursery was safe. You fed your child all the right food. You even bought a baby monitor that kept a good eye on your little one's movements. But then, one night, your child's heart stopped beating.
Cato ConroyPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesMother Knows Best
Every summer the rising heat brings the wave of headlines reading “Another Child Left to Die in Hot Car,” and the masses screaming, “What is wrong with people?! How could they be so careless?” Which leads me to think, everybody gets so distressed about people leaving their babies in hot cars because dozens of children perish every year. It's common sense to NOT DO THAT, right? So why is it that we still practically condone things like unsafe sleep, feeding, and car seat habits when THOUSANDS of children are dying?
Rayelle PaulsonPublished 5 years ago in FamiliesMeet Lunii: The Screenless Storytelling Device Helping Kids Develop Vocabulary and Imagination
As a parent of a five year old, it's become increasingly difficult to find ways to entertain my child in a fun, yet somewhat educational way. After hearing my parents preach this for years, I can't believe I'm actually saying it myself, but kids today spend too much time glued to a screen. Back when I was a kid, all my parents really had to worry about was that "evil" television screen, but now there are iPhones, iPads, I this and I that, and my kid wants to see ALL of them.
Tony Anthony GregPublished 5 years ago in Families