Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Permission to Feel: Thriving with Sensory Processing Sensitivity
On October 20, 2020, I received an email that would change the trajectory of my life. I wasted no time preparing my application responses for the Mama Master Plan Program. Here’s an excerpt from my application questions:
By Sydney Stoudmire5 years ago in Families
On Fully Confronting Love & the Death of my Parents in 2021
Two days after my mom died in 2015, I texted a friend that I still believed in love. That friend surely thought I was delirious - freshly sunk in the deep depths of a mind-numbing ocean of grief, pining too quickly after the sun-kissed surface of the water that I would not even begin to see again for another five years. There is no rushing love and healing in the face of continuous death.
By Anea Moore5 years ago in Families
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 5 years ago in Families
Taking out the Trash
This year we have heard the word essential more than any other time in my life. Essential goods and services, essential employees, essentials to buy, essential vitamins and so many people going without the bare essentials to lead a healthy and productive life.
By Karen Diane5 years ago in Families
You were here already
Waking up to a knock on the door, Travis slowly put his feet into his slippers and made his way downstairs. When he opened the door there was no one there. He looked around and saw no one then looked down and saw a little black book. It was a shiny black almost glowing and in a strange never before seen color had the title “ you were here already”.
By Nolan Buenger5 years ago in Families
Krushing the Kardashians
Keeping Up with the Kardashians has been on for well over a decade so I’m definitely not alone in this “guilty pleasure.” Even though I've seen every episode of every different show, I've only re-watched certain episodes (mostly Khloe's wedding... I'll always be a little sad that didn't work out), but with all the recent time available to me I gave myself a challenge.
By Emily J5 years ago in Families
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK
THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK As she searched through the belongings of her recently deceased grandmother, she remembered playing in this old attic with her “mawmaw”. There had always been interesting things in this attic, including old clothes that she loved to dress up in, and jewelry as well. Paula smiled a rather sad smile as she walked over to the old trunk where all those fabulous clothes were still kept. She opened it, hearing the creak of the old hinges on the back. She pulled out the long, yellow dress she used to love so dearly and held it up in front of her as she looked in the old mirror that still stood at the end of the room. Oh, she could not wear that dress anymore for she was not quite so slim as she had been when she was a teen. Her grandma had let her wear that dress to her prom. It was definitely different than anything anyone else had worn with its silky layers and puffy sleeves, but she did not care. She folded the dress back into the trunk carefully and closed it.
By Juanell Hopper5 years ago in Families
Riddle Me This
The sun shone down through my window with a blazing glow. I was tucked in bed, but couldn’t remember how I’d gotten there. I slowly sat up with my head feeling like a ton of bricks. How did I get here, I wondered and when? What a wild night it must have been, although my mind was quite foggy trying to trace back what actually happened. The last thing I remember was leaving the club to go to the coffee shop, trying to sober up. Stacey’s 21st birthday and we definitely lived up to the celebration! I stumbled to the kitchen to get a much needed glass of water, fumbling with the Advil bottle that sat next to the kitchen sink. My brain was so heavy I couldn’t even fathom how that could’ve possibly gotten there. I dropped onto the couch with a loud thud and closed my eyes, trying to retrieve the night before. After lying there for an hour or two, I finally gathered myself to go get ready for the day. As I pulled my jeans up, something caught out of the corner of my eye. There on my bedside, lied a little black book.
By Shelby5 years ago in Families
Savage Daughter
I am my mother's savage daughter The one who runs barefoot Cursing sharp stones I am my mother's savage daughter I will not cut my hair
By Yvonne5 years ago in Families
4 Important Ways to Create Boundaries with Family Members
Do you struggle with making your own decisions out of fear of what your parents or family may think? Do you lack confidence in your ability to assert yourself when family members overstep their boundaries? Does the idea of keeping certain family members (including parental figures) at a distance for the sake of your emotional wellbeing give you anxiety?
By Arcana Archives 5 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 McKay5 years ago in Families
Karma
Janet McNab swiped the pile of unpaid bills off the kitchen table in a fit of rage, crumpling to her knees as she surrendered to tears of hopelessness.
By Riss Ryker5 years ago in Families