Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Memorable Gifts
Decorating the tree as a child was something to look forward to. Togetherness and memories always brought smiles and fun. It was fun for parents as well because it brought back fun times. The ornaments you had as a child, and all of the handmade ornaments you made. Those were special ornaments and families kept them because they meant so much.
By Melonie S Shelton5 years ago in Families
Fell in Love with a Pearl
The year of 2020 has been pretty rough on my little family like many other families in US. My husband and I are both very driven in our professions but have always limited that drive to make sure our 6 children always have ample attention from us individually and as a family. Unfortunately, as I am a business owner of a small marketing firm, I have found myself having to put in a ton more hours working for a fraction of my usual hour rates which has put a dent in my family time. For the last couple months I have really made an effort to think of crafts, art projects, and kid friendly cooking methods to maximize what little time I have to give right now.
By Crystal Turner5 years ago in Families
Turning A Nightmare Into A Positive Message
Desensitized. That’s a big word. Here’s a story. It was as difficult to write as it is to read. Norman is a small in stature, slightly rotund, bespectacled middle-aged man. He sits in his compact car, waiting at the curb of a grocery store for his wife to arrive from checkout. It’s a hot summer evening and the sun begins its late descent. The store empties slowly, and the exiting shoppers search for their cars. Trunk lids slam shut. Engines roar to life and fade into the distance of commuter traffic.
By Stu E5 years ago in Families
If this Town could Talk
I started collecting houses and businesses for my perfect little town about 20 years ago. It has been named Pihotaville, where all the people no matter race, religion, sex, mental or physical disability are all welcomed and loved the same. They are some of the most loyal citizens and neighbors any where on earth. How do I know this you ask? Well, because they have kept many stories to themselves. Never have they told of what it is they have witnessed through out the years.
By Tina Pihota5 years ago in Families
Family Insanity
I know part one was probably pretty dull for everyone, but not every beginning is exciting or starts off with a bang. Sometimes it takes a bit for it to grow and slowly take its form. Well as we continued growing up, we noticed the small things. Every time we went to my aunt's house (her house was 7 houses down the street from ours) we always saw my grandmother giving gifts to our cousins. It hurt but we never complained to her. We just watched in silence. Sounds small, right? But it continues on. We slowly notice the favoritism over the years towards my cousins and how me and my brother were often ignored by them. It was even more difficult since they usually were in charge of watching us while our mother was busy with work. It got worse, especially for me because one day I get the call from my father that he is having another daughter. I didn't think much of it then until he called less and less. It was hard for me, since daughters depend on their father to always be there for them and are what we see as an example for future relationships with men. What made it worse was how my family reacted. Here is where the mental abuse begins. My aunt and grandmother told me how my father didn't want me and how my mother trapped him with being pregnant with me. They said that I was a mistake and that he wished I wasn't born. Hearing that hurt and felt true when he wasn't calling or answering. Every time I struggled in life, whether it was having trouble with school or having trouble at home with my mom, their words continued to ring in my head.
By CC Carr5 years ago in Families
No hard feelings
I usually write my submission in word then transfer them. I do this to perfect my writing. I know errors can be a pain, especially when you're deep into a piece of writing and suddenly the vibe shift because instead of reading; " and then he jumped over the moon in a instant", you read " and then he jumped over the moon in a instinct". Maybe poor choice of (ample), but maybe you got the point. Anyway I'm going to write it on the application because, why not... If I'm wrong you can correct me, but if everything fine how about leaving me a little something in the tips... Just kidding. I mean i really would appreciate it.. but I cant subject you to such a feat. So instead maybe I can ask you to keep a eye out for your boy. You see something of mines that grabs your attention, picture, title, summary, you have it. Just give it a little click. I would appreciate it so much. That being said I'll try to provide better content. I do not want to bore you if it can be helped...
By Michael Anterio5 years ago in Families
Dear Daughters
Dear Daughters, All I needed wasn't awakening to ensure all my actions would no longer need articulating. I never aimed to abandon you in any way this I can assure you. Although everything went awry know that my love for you is authentic. I will always aspire to inspire you even if it has to be from afar. I now acknowledge that I should have been more assertive and far less absent in every aspect of your lives for this I sincerely apologize.
By Sheri Ferguson5 years ago in Families
My Amish father was paralyzed when I was a teenager
My father and I worked at several places when I was growing up. and one of the jobs I had was at a chicken place, feeding 1000's chickens. Earlier in my life, mom had this business of butchering 100s of chickens a day, with all of us kids chipping in to pluck them.
By Joseph Slabaugh5 years ago in Families
CHRISTmas
'Tis the season for baking cookies, singing songs, hot cocoa with peppermint sticks, trimming a tree or 2 exchanging gifts, and merriment. To some, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!" To others it is a great anxiety, stress, depression, financial strain, and good 'ole family fights. Those who are low income, those with a mental health issues diagnosed and not diagnosed fight incredible battles daily during the holiday season. They are some of the most appreciative.
By Katie Schwenk5 years ago in Families
Be the Person you Want your Children to Be!
Sometimes we get so bogged down with day-to-day parenting that we forget to take a moment to take stock of where we’re at. Today I want to give you an inspirational quote to muddle over. Let me tell you how it’s made a difference to our family.
By Georgia Lyonhyde5 years ago in Families
Grandmother's Guide to Christmas Shopping
Grandparents... You have to love them, especially when it comes to shopping smart during the holidays, but here's the thing about me: I'm not a shopper. I can barely manage to go grocery shopping on my own. The only reason I have access to help is that I've had a Safeway gift card since I was 19, and I live in a small town now, so while I can still go to Safeway, I can go to Grocery Outlet, which is a lot cheaper and I can go to Dollar Tree as well. Granted, where I worked at a Dollar Tree before I moved to the small town but still.
By Don Anderson II5 years ago in Families
You Didn’t Deserve to Die
On the evening of Labor Day September 7, 2020, I lost my one and only sister. Prior to her death in the summer of 2020, she learned she had Stage Four Breast Cancer. I wondered when was she ever in the earlier stages of the disease? My sister was living a wonderful and happy life with her new-found love. She had her 59th birthday party on Facebook Live and we had thanksgiving dinner with her last year. We didn’t know that we would spend the last holidays with her. She didn’t know she was celebrating her last birthday. I wonder if she had some type of inner warning that she wouldn’t be here for the holidays because my sister never had a birthday party via any social media platform.
By Jacqueline F Wilson: The Morning Brew!5 years ago in Families