Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
My Life As A New Dad
You hear it all the time. 'My life has changed... It's the best thing that has ever happened to me.' I was always one to think that I would not fall custom to clichés. They were just things that people said, and everyone else just jumped on the bandwagon as they could not explain how they felt. It's just amazing how a little child can change your look on everything!
By Joshua Lino-da Costa7 years ago in Families
Finding Her (Pt. 2)
Here we go again with this process. Here we go again with the heartbreak you’re doing to me, mother. That I can’t be with her because it’s prohibited to see her. But it hurts me so much that’s your taking her away from me. What else are you gonna take? You have no idea how much I’m suffering. For once in my lifetime, I’m actually happy with someone I love; but clearly you don’t want that from me because she’s the same gender as me. I’m not going to say who. Look, she means so much to me. You just can’t do that to your daughter. You can’t just take her happiness like that. Why would you do that? I’m not allowed to text her. I’m not allowed to see her; therefore, to make that even simpler and easier, you took her out of my 15. How am I supposed to feel about that? I feel sad, and disappointed in you, mother. I mean, sure, I can still see her. Hug her. Tell her much she means to me, but of course you took away that from me, too. You say you want me to change, so that’s why you’re taking me to a psychologist. But, if that doesn’t work, you’re taking me to a church retreat so I can change my mind. No, mother! I don’t want to change an any way. I like being who I am. I like that I get to be with a guy, but if that doesn’t work, I get to be with a girl. You’ll never understand, so that’s why you’re taking me to those places I don’t even want to go? Like you say, I need help. Not necessarily, because this is who I am. I’m not crazy at all. You think that girl is making me change. That she’s putting thoughts in your mind. No, mom, this is who I want to be, but I can see you’re doing things to make me stop loving her.
By Liliana Moreno7 years ago in Families
Things Just Aren't the Same Anymore - or Are They?
When I was a kid, even though it was the 60's and 70's (1960's and 70's, that is), we thought our parents were 'dumb.' Just like kids do now. It's just a kid thing, I suppose. We thought our parents had no idea what it was like to be a third grader, or a high school girl wanting our hair a certain way, or what is was like to date and fall in love. Really silly when you stop and realize they were married—to each other, usually—and had had babies, like us.
By Lisa LaRue-Baker7 years ago in Families
Lorelei's Letters - Letter Six
Lorelei's Letters is a series of posts addressed for my daughter, but that have general statements that I believe everyone should hear from someone, at some point in their lives. Basically, they are letters from mother to daughter, trying to explain this crazy world, and give some advice. A lot of them are on dark topics that I hope my daughter will get through with no scars. I hope you enjoy, or at least take something from the letters. Know that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done, you are loved. - A mother
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Hunt for the Jackpot
This story is about my new YouTube series and how it all started. I loved buying lottery tickets since I was old enough to buy them, and my late grandpa got me hooked on them. He was also a big gambler. The most he ever won was $500 from a $10 scratch-off ticket. Let me tell you how it happened.
By Mcdaveo Brand7 years ago in Families
“Get Em’ Up Scout”
A sense of peace struck a chord deep within me as if I were a baby being held safely against my mother's breast. The summers of my childhood came flooding back as I stood recapturing my father's image across from me, casting his fly rod with the rhythm of the river. The wildflowers, Indian paintbrush, Queen Anne’s lace, graced the steep grade of the dam, just as I had remembered. I envisioned myself sliding down the embankment to fish and play among the rocks, and catching water bugs until hunger settled in, and I made my way back down the path toward my family’s campsite. Birch trees bent overhead as though protecting me. The sweet sound of water, lapping against the rocks, lulled me. I hadn’t been back since my parents' divorce, 30 years ago. I stood there, letting the memories envelope me. The many times we rode the dry-kai, large, long pieces of old wood lying on the side of the lake (I told my children these were the original “noodles”). My brothers and I spent hours riding them. I often have pretended mine were seahorses as I bobbed up and down in the chilly Maine waters.
By Laurie’s Front Porch Stories7 years ago in Families
Helping Your Pregnancy Go a Little Smoother
For most women, pregnancy is a joyous time. For first-time or overworked parents, it can also be a slightly stressful period. There are several things you can do to reduce that stress and make your pregnancy go smoother. Let's take a look at a few of them.
By Paisley Hansen7 years ago in Families
Summer Break
From the Saturday before Memorial Day until the first day of August, I get a taste of what it is like to be a stay-at-home mom. My day job—middle school teaching—is on summer break. Many people think teaching is an easy job and we shouldn’t complain about our job because of the time off, but it’s that time off when we have to catch up other parts of our lives we couldn’t invest as much in during the school year—momming and wife-ing!
By Wendy Etter7 years ago in Families
