Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Sometimes the Picture Doesn't Match Reality
When my husband and I started trying for a family, we both went into it with this fantasy of a perfect life, with no fighting, no hurt feelings, tons of sleep, and no frustration or resentment EVER. I think every parent has this idea—or hope—in their minds. We both assumed that we knew what parenthood would bring, and we weren't afraid in the least. Shortly after our son was born, reality hit. He missed the majority of my labor thanks to his brand-new-barely-a-month-old job, and I didn't realize how angry I was at him for it. Sure, it was (mostly) out of his control, along with the fact that he was now working much longer and more erratic hours, with an hour long commute each way, but that didn't stop me from feeling neglected.
By Catherine Luna7 years ago in Families
The Big Image Divide
I've read tons of articles about how mothers need to be careful about how they refer to themselves and their bodies in front of their children, namely their little girls. The logic behind this is pretty solid; little boys and girls that grow up hearing their mothers constantly saying negative things about themselves can potentially develop these tendencies too! I still struggle to be kind to myself, its difficult to learn to be confident when you have never had that before! Still, I find that there's something missing from this argument: Dads. A few days ago my very own husband made a comment about his weight and feeling "fat." The kind of comment he has made about himself many many times before. "Oh stop, you're fine. I love you no matter what, and I think you look great," is my usual reply. This time, on the other hand, hearing him speak about himself, and his body, in such a way sent chills up my spine. If I can't express all of my negative feelings about myself, for fear of my child ending up just as insecure and damaged as I am, then why is it okay to hear our partners express that they feel this way? Obviously, these feelings shouldn't be hidden or dismissed, but I can definitely recognize the importance of being KIND to ourselves! This particular time, I watched my son look up at his dad, watching his daddy look down at himself in disgust. Something I've done a million times over. I saw my son listening to those words, taking them in, and learning from them, and I realized that we need to do better. We ALL need to do better. My husband does such a great job of making me feel beautiful as often as he can, and I've realized I don't really know how to help him feel better. I don't think I compliment him nearly enough, and I don't think I show my appreciation for all of the things he does and sacrifices he makes for me. We all deserve to feel comfortable in our own skin. My hardworking husband, who is exhausted from working long hours so that I can stay home with our toddler, but still comes home to cook dinner and play and take care of us, is not any less deserving of loving words and a reminder of how amazing I think he is and looks, than I am. Why is he the only one bringing home flowers or a surprise chocolate bar just to remind me he loves me? Why do I find myself telling my son how cute and handsome he is a gazillion times throughout the day, but can't really remember the last time I said that to my husband? These men that we picked to be our partners in this new journey that is parenthood deserve to be validated too! They deserve to feel good about themselves when they leave us, and they deserve to be confident enough to be the role models that our sons need and that our daughters learn love from. Trust me, I understand how hard it is to feel less than and unhappy with the person staring back at me from the mirror, and that's exactly why this topic feels so important to me and to my heart. Men don't seem to focus on self-care as much as I've seen women focus on and care about learning to love ourselves. Why not take the time to show them how much they mean to us? If not for their well being, but for our children's. Let's continue to nurture ourselves, and make sure to nourish them too!
By Catherine Luna7 years ago in Families
The Risk of Feigning Normality
You are at dinner with your family, silently taking pride in your current ability to pretend you’ve grown up. You are silently eating your food, while taking in some of the conversations going on between relatives apart from the moments you are addressed.
By Monique Star7 years ago in Families
The Working Mom
So, what is with the shaming of mom's by employers? I have two small children, and unfortunately they get sick quite often, as kids often do. I do not have the luxury of grandparents to help as both sets are late. I don't earn enough to hire help, so what happens I have to take time off work to take care of them, because it's the mom that is needed or wanted way more than the dad, and I am still breastfeeding 😱😱 my two year old. So when she is ill that's all that will console her. I am so tired, exhausted mentally and physically, as mother's we do so much and are responsible for almost everything. We are sleep deprived, as is the norm, yet we still get up as normal, and do everything we need to do.
By Adeeba Jean-Louis7 years ago in Families
How I Recognized that Narcissism Shaped My Adult Self and Who I Am…
There are some unique symptoms that fit a child of a narcissist. For me personally, whenever I read about the characteristics that an adult child develops over their lifetime, they almost always fit me to a T.
By Anna Lucia7 years ago in Families
Healthy Hacks for Kids' Health
Raising children can be a rewarding and challenging life endeavor. As parents, you want to keep your children happy and healthy. You have to figure out how to teach your kids how to be healthier, and to make healthy decisions throughout life. Teach them lessons that will stick with them. They need to learn how to take care of their body inside and out. Kids do not always make the best decisions when it comes to taking care of themselves. But, there are things you can do at home that will help you make your kids’ lives healthier; mainly in the bathroom, the kitchen, and the living room.
By Sasha McGregor7 years ago in Families
My Grandfather’s Blessing
It’s 5 AM and I’m wide awake with so much on my mind. I woke up at 3:30... after drinking water and using the restroom, I laid back down expecting sleep to come but instead I was given the desire to write. I want to open up my heart. In order to do that I must first listen and then follow my omens. I must write letters to apologize and also share what lies deepest in my heart. ❤️
By Leanne Milliken7 years ago in Families
The Bird and the Pearl. Top Story - April 2019.
I had not eaten or drank anything all day. Yesterday was one month since my husband’s passing; food held no allure for me. A visitor stopped by in the afternoon, and it was probably the last person in the world that I wanted to see, yet in the queerest way I was thankful. I suddenly had the urge to lock-up the place I had been locked up in for three days, and go find something good out there. There must be a positive in this town, I thought.
By LP Steinbeck7 years ago in Families
