Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Proven Tips that Keep Couples Together
All relationships experience hardships, and all it takes is commitment and determination to make it work. There is always a new thing to learn whether it's a new or an old relationship. You can always find fulfillment and build a healthy relationship only if you are not reluctant.
By Lena Linetti5 years ago in Families
The Rantings of a Very Disgruntled (and Quite Frankly Pissed Off) Work-From-Home (Not Homemaker) Mother
My day begins by being prodded out of sleep by the abrupt rudeness of my alarm clock on my phone at 7 A.M. The baby is fussing and wiggling in his bassinet next to the bed, no doubt ready for another dose of formula. I can hear the deep breathing and light snoring of my husband in the bed next to me, sound asleep since probably around 4 A.M. He won't be lively again until at least 3 P.M.; but he has to work tonight, so he most likely will lay in bed until 4 P.M. and protest.
By Lizzy Pacem5 years ago in Families
Surrogacy
When I tell people that I am a surrogate, the predominant question/concern is always how am I able to detach emotionally after carrying a child or children for nine months in my womb. First, let me begin by saying that one of the reasons I got into surrogacy in the first place was because I wanted to help those who wanted to be parents but couldn’t. With that in mind, I never looked at the pregnancies as my own. This prevented me from developing an emotional connection. I also approached each surrogacy as what they always were, a business arrangement. I was always happy for the families, and celebrated with them with each positive pregnancy test, with each ultrasound, and with each healthy baby. I took care of myself, what I ate, stayed healthy, took vitamins, and followed every precaution. When the babies were born, I would opt for the skin-to-skin kangaroo care after birth (better for the baby). Would even offer my nipple, though aside from my first they rarely latched. In some cases, my wife and I, sometimes along with our son, would care for the children as our own for hours, even a full day, after delivery because the IPs were on their way from China or another state. No matter how much time I spent with those little bundles of joy, I never had a hard time saying goodbye. The immense love and gratitude in the faces of the new parents upon seeing their child(ren) for the first time, was the confirmation that all of this was worth it. I must also add that being able to take care of myself after giving birth and not a screaming infant is one of the most peaceful ways to recuperate. While I will always have the physical memory of carrying those children within me, I inherently understood from their conception that they were never mine. Whether they shared my biological DNA or had no ties to me did not change how I regarded them or how I took care of myself.
By Jessica Altman-Pollack5 years ago in Families
Ways to Survive an Unplanned Pregnancy
Discovering you are pregnant can be one of the most emotional moments of your life. Even if you have been planning to have children at some point, it is still a shock to see the positive result on your pregnancy test. Pregnancy changes everything, but it is possible to not only survive it, but actually weather it well.
By Paisley Hansen5 years ago in Families
A Love For Stories
As this is my first story writing on Vocal i was lost for a while on what i should write or what would even be allowed. I have ever since i learnt to write a desire to show the world the wonderful stories/ideas that my imagination comes up with. After a number of years and subsequently leaving university i thought i would find all the old little stories i wrote when i was a child and into my teenage years and put them all together in a book. It turned out a bit more difficult than i had anticipated as certainly most of the older stories are barely legible and need to be re-written. With life getting in the way as usual most of this re-writing fell by the way-side. So i am hoping if this story of mine gets published and you are reading this now, i wish to create a series.
By Lushanya Matthews5 years ago in Families
The Best Mom Tips for New Parents
If you are a new mom, then it can be overwhelming. After all, one moment you only had to worry about yourself. Now, you have an entire life that is depending on you. It helps to have some tips along the way. That way, you aren't trying to figure out everything for yourself. So make sure to use these tips to be the best new parent possible:
By Mia Morales5 years ago in Families
