Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
The Monetti's Make their Way in America
Alfonso probably didn’t spend a lot of time mourning his wife and kept up with his extramarital activities. A player apparently, Alfonso’s infidelities were no isolated incident, and Carmine almost bore the brunt. Holding his son’s hand one afternoon on a walk, a jealous husband took a shot at Alfonso, and one branch of the Monetti line was almost cut.
By Rich Monetti5 years ago in Families
Why Won't You Understand?
A typical week would begin with a Sunday. In many families it is normal for Sunday church service but in my home we had a Sunday routine. Once I had brushed my teeth and taken a bath, "Here is $20 for the french bread, cheese, turkey, and newspaper," said mom. I was sent to the corner Bodega also known in NYC as the corner grocery store. After returning from the store we would have a cup of coffee and eat. This was my favorate part of a Sunday. When breakfast was done we would prepare for a 8 hour service at the Pentecostal church. Typically this would be a morning bible class followed by lunch and service.
By Lisette Camacho5 years ago in Families
Adventures with F*Bomb Mom pt.3
If you were not already aware, but I have the strangest Mom in the whole city. That is no lie either folks. Sometimes my brother and I call her F*Bomb Mom... Can you guess why? Well, if you did not know I will fill you in: an f bomb is a way of saying the f word without having to actually say it. Only my mom says it. She says it alot. For everything too.
By Daisy ODay5 years ago in Families
Parental Alienation
Motherhood wasn't suppose to be like this. Who would have thought I would have to fight for my right to be your parent? I carried you for 9 months. I gave birth to you. I have a scar on my belly from the incision where you were pulled out of my body. I was there when you breathed your first breath. I held you in my arms for the first time, crying as I listened to you cry. I was already so proud to be your mom, and I was so excited to start this new chapter of my life with you! Little did I know, I would be fighting for the right to be your parent.
By Jennifer Paulette Speaks5 years ago in Families
How We Got Our Toddler to Keep Her Glasses On
Complete and utter denial--that’s what I was in when the pediatrician told me in January 2019 that my then 15-month-old girl twin, Joules, was farsighted in her right eye and needed to be seen by an ophthalmologist. The pediatrician had just done a standardized vision screening (normally performed at that age) that revealed the initial results. I remember telling myself that the doctor’s assessment was probably just off and that the eye doctor would tell us that everything was okay. I mean, Joules had always acted like she could see perfectly. So, there had to be a mistake, right?
By Michelle Joyner5 years ago in Families
How to Get Your Toddler to Wear a Face Mask
After our not even 3-year-old twin toddlers wore their face masks for roughly 5 hours straight while we flew cross-country recently, I knew our pandemic travel experience was successful. But we didn’t just slap the masks on their faces that same day without first figuring out how to make them follow the airport/airlines’ face mask-wearing rules. We were STRATEGIC! And our strategy led to two little kids complying with the rules from start to finish.
By Michelle Joyner5 years ago in Families
The Strong Woman's Guide To Surviving An Adversarial Divorce/Separation with Children
Do you feel alone, lost and broken? Unsure where to turn for advice, or what advice is even worth trusting? This is commonplace to find yourself in when you're staring down an adversarial or difficult divorce or separation, especially when kids are involved. Your heart is walking outside your body, and everything feels vulnerable.
By Starr Watson5 years ago in Families
Dolly Always!
For years I knew I wanted children. For years I was a free spirit living in the city of New York. Now, 34 and with three children I can't tell you how wild this ride has been. My husband and I met in 2014 and our lives we're crazy but together filled with adventure, joy, and love. Knowing how we both felt we moved in, sealed the deal, and started our family. We moved to the south Officially in 2017. Today is September 27, 2020, and living in Atlanta has definitely changed us. Now the question is how?
By Serai Wilson5 years ago in Families
A Memoir of Loss
September 26th, 2020 On the 17th I performed my Boromama’s (maternal uncle) first death anniversary ritual. Seeing his photo and performing his death anniversary ritual felt odd. I sat in the same place where he used to when he would perform the monthly rituals after my maternal grandmother’s death. I used to stand beside him, watching as he performed the rituals while the priest recited the mantras. Not once during those times did I think that I would have to sit in the same place and perform the rituals for him someday. It never occurred to me. I never imagined his death. Then again, I did not imagine my grandmother’s death either.
By Gourav Bhattacharya5 years ago in Families
Wake Up!
READ THE PROLOGUE & CH. ONE FOR FREE PROLOGUE December 9, 2006 I should be sleeping, but I can’t. My emotions are All. Over. The. Place. I want to cry, scream, and disappear all at once. One minute I’m in tears, and the next I’m so angry that all I want to do is hit someone. In the last twenty-four hours, my life, along with that of my son, Tyler, has been completely upended. My husband, Grey, admitted he’s been cheating on me, and the bastard had the audacity to tell me it’s my fault. Can you believe that?! Yeah, like I held a gun to his head and made him put his penis where it has no business being! Exactly how does that work? He even claimed he was going to “get rid of me” as soon as I get my degree.
By Jenn Martin-Wright5 years ago in Families
