Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Teenage Mother
When I was young, I was happy. Free and full of life. I had no worry in the world. I had so many friends, so I was always outside playing. I kept busy all of the time.
By Caitlin Franks7 years ago in Families
Heart Strings
I know there’s no such thing as a perfect family—mine sure as hell isn’t. I’m the middle child in a family of three. According to my mom, I used to be a wicked momma's girl and had to be with her all the time. I’m not sure when that changed and neither is she. My sister—who is three years older than I am—and I always had moments where we were best friends or worst enemies; no real in between. My brother—who is six years younger than I am—and I had a similar relationship, but more on the best friend side. After the birth of my second child, there started to be a huge drift in my family; more so, me from them. It got even bigger when I finally left her father and admitted that he was abusive, which cost me custody of my son to his father. My mom and sister blamed me for not telling anyone about the abusive relationship... for letting it get to the point of losing custody of my son.
By Brandy Letourneau7 years ago in Families
Tips on Picking the Best Child Care Facility
As parents, you have to make many important decisions for your child; one of them being—picking the best child care facility for your child. The childcare centre should be such where your child feels comfortable and happy, and she does not feel your absence.
By Natalie Ige7 years ago in Families
Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss
I've been coming across more and more women opening up about suffering a miscarriage, still birth, or loss of a child. If you've ever experienced any of those tragic events, you feel SO alone because of how "taboo" the subject is. No one wants to talk about their miscarriage, and people don't know how to console someone who has suffered the loss of a child. That's where the problem lies. When this subject is brought up, it's usually quickly dismissed or made into an awkward moment when the other person doesn't know what to say. If you've ever been in that situation, you don't need to say anything! Just be there to listen. Listen to all the details the mother wants to share with you, listen to all the horrible parts that she can't get through telling without crying. Just simply, BE THERE. Before suffering a miscarriage, I was that person. I had no idea what to say (I'm horrible at finding the right words to say in tough situations). But upon having experienced that, I've learned that there is NOTHING you can say. Nothing will bring that sweet baby back, nothing will change the outcome of what the mother went through. She just needs your listening ear and support.
By Mar Ta7 years ago in Families
A List of Things People Never Told Me About Parenting!
I had my first child at just 18 years old, and I had no idea what parenting would be like! People told me many things, however nothing could prepare me for the unexpected. Here is a list of things I wish I had been told about parenting:
By Carol Ann Townend7 years ago in Families
Parenthood
Parenthood is fun, challenging, puzzling, wonderful, perplexing, infuriating, delightful, awe-inspiring, crazy, and overall: weird. I love being a parent. I am the parent of a wonderful, fun, imaginative, caring, infuriating, tenacious four-year-old boy. I love him so much. He is my world, and I know from the way he looks at me, that I am his.
By Anastasia Barth7 years ago in Families
Helping Your Teens See Their Options After High School
As high school graduation day approaches, you may find your teen stressing out about what to do in the near future. It can feel like they are on a time crunch to completely figure out the rest of their lives. That can feel like a huge weight on their shoulders. When you stop to think about it, High School graduation can seem as if we are asking 18-year-olds to figure out the rest of their lives in a few short months, stressful right? As a parent, it can be very difficult to see your child struggle with that decision. Don’t feel helpless in this situation, there are so many ways to help your child figure out the correct life path.
By Jade Pulman7 years ago in Families
On a Different Planet
When I think back on my childhood, I feel too many emotions to name. I was born into a very small, fragile family; a family that was passing down generations of hurt and confusion, PERIOD. Why? I don’t know. However one of the few things I’ve come to FULLY understand is that everything happens for a reason. So there was a reason for this cycle’s repetitions, and there also was damn sure a reason that at just 10 years old, I felt trapped in the middle...
By Zay Moore7 years ago in Families
5 Important Characteristics of a Children's Toothbrush
At this time, new worries emerge for the parents: they must teach the child to care for their teeth. It is very difficult to develop a habit in a child: kids usually get naughty, often lazy. Therefore, we must be patient and, of course, choose the right toothbrush for the child.
By Amelia Grant7 years ago in Families
Get Your Child Ready for Summer Camp
It doesn't matter if it's your child's first or tenth time to be away from home, it's still not an easy, nor simple decision for parents to send off their children into an unfamiliar environment for an extended period of time. On the other side, you don't want your kid to remain under the glass bell forever. Here are some of the best ways to prepare yourself and your kid for summer camp!
By Gabriella Diesendorf7 years ago in Families
Pregnancy Massage: Beneficial for You and the Baby!
Are you embarking on a new journey in life? Are you starting out in the world of motherhood? Are you waiting eagerly for your little one to step out in this world? If you answered yes to the above, chances are that you are blessed with happiness, and are on your way to giving birth to a bundle of joy. But, pregnancy, as joyful as it can be, is an even more stressful and critical time for both the mother and the baby. Well, sometimes the father too, especially when he forgets to bring to-be-mommy her favourite ice cream.
By Natalie Ige7 years ago in Families
Get to Know Me (My Crazy Life) Pt. 2
"Physically, I'm here. Mentally I'm far, far away..." The Life Changing Move The moment I found out that my younger brother and I were moving to Virginia with our dad for good, I would be lying if I said I was ecstatic for it. Even though I remember the good times of my mother and father being together and married, I knew that they weren't getting back together again. After the divorce, I lived with my mom, and my younger brother Jacob for three years. I lived in a filthy house, the smell of dog and cat piss was overwhelming and unfortunately, since I was so young, I thought all of this was normal. In a way, I have grown used to that kind of lifestyle. No electricity, hot water, heat, food, taking baths in a laundry basket with my brother and heating water in the fireplace was the "normal" for us.
By Kayla Triplett7 years ago in Families