Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Broken Open
Who would have ever thought that the sight of a pink artificial sweetener packet on my kitchen counter would cause me to break down? Literally send me sobbing to my bed, trying to find my next breath and my composure to carry on with my day. But there I was. These paper packets were here at my house, and he wasn’t. He was never going to put them in his morning coffee again.
By Allison Saia7 years ago in Families
Simple Ways to Balance Being a Parent
Living a balanced life is hard enough, but when you add kids to the chaos it can often become very overwhelming. Trying to balance personal life with work life and kids can be a very daunting task. Below are just a few simple tips on how to balance your everyday responsibilities as a parent while also enjoying your personal life.
By Jade Pulman7 years ago in Families
An Open Letter to My Dad
Dear Dad, I want to start off by saying I see you. I see the things no one else sees about you. You play the part of the fun and fancy free comic that makes everyone laugh, and most of the time your laugh is genuine and infectious, but there have been times when it has been hollow. When your smile has turned up at the edges, but never rose high enough to create the spark in your eyes. We've been through a lot the last few years, mom, you, and I. We've lost a lot, and we've learned things we can never forget. There is something important I want you to know about all you've overcome to be here today, I'm proud of you for making it through it. I'm proud of all of us for being where we are now. I'm thankful to mom, God, and our family for getting us past the roughest time in our lives. I want you to know it meant the world to me that you came to every tennis match, every track meet, and every school function.
By Savannah Aichem7 years ago in Families
A Parent Passing
It is said that losing a parent is a rite of passage, but in truth it is a fundamental heartbreak that may never be resolved. Thoughts of how you treated your parent when you were younger can torment and twist. Questions of ‘Did I tell them how much I loved them?’ plague dark nights of wakefulness. Depending on your age at the time of their passing you may have abandonment issues, unresolved anger or resentment, or even non-contact issues. No matter what the ‘problem’ was, the vast majority of us grieves their passing and wish for more time with them.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett7 years ago in Families
Why Mom's Self-Care Is Important
Mothers all over the internet are becoming more vocal about suffering from postpartum depression for years after having children. It is important that, as a mother, you are taking care of your mental health so you are being the best mother you can be. There are a variety of ways that you can practice self-care and a multitude of reasons that you should be practicing it. If you are someone who is in denial regarding how much self-care you actually need, then here are just a couple of the reasons you should be taking better care of yourself.
By Sasha McGregor7 years ago in Families
Giraffe Talk for Parents
It allows you to solve conflicts and improve communication in any type of relationship. The man who developed this great system was called Marshall Rosenberg, and he reasoned that there were two viewpoints through which we perceive and interact with the world; the Jackal and the Giraffe. His reasoning was that, while Jackal was often bound to lead into conflict, Giraffe was inclined to resolve it, and to relay its messages in a way that creates harmony. So, how does this actually work? And how can it be applied to the communication between parents and children? Here are some answers.
By Isla Wright7 years ago in Families
5 Lessons We Can Learn from a Toddler
When someone says the word “toddler,” a few things might come to mind. Hysterical tantrums, constant messes no matter how many times you play “The Clean Up Song,” and small humans literally running around in circles. However, if you are a parent to a toddler, used to have a toddler, or have spent some time with a toddler, you know that they are very special people and that there is more to being a toddler than complete and utter chaos. While having two toddlers, a three-year-old boy and two-year-old girl, as well as a baby in the house does pose its challenges, the more time I spend with them, the more I realize one thing. Toddlers know how to live! In today’s society of constant activity and the never-ending list of things to do, I think we could all learn a few lessons from the toddler’s playbook.
By Haley Peterson7 years ago in Families
