Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Custody Battles
You may hear a friend, family member, or even a coworker talk about her custody struggles here and there, but there is so much to know about going through a custody battle and even how to go about filing for custody.
By ShadowSpear X7 years ago in Families
Christmas Time
Christmas is always a magical time of the year: Being with friends and family, the beautiful snow, the family meals together, and the lists of Christmas gifts.
By Jasmine Burow7 years ago in Families
I Bribe My Kid
Recently, I have started potty training my toddler. 'Recently' is a loosely used term. I tried a lot of different methods. I read three different books. I talked to a lot of moms who are doing the same thing and everything told me not to bribe her; that the only reward I should give her is emotional support. We struggled. The concept was not taken to and she showed no interest in learning.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Calling All First Generation American Millennials
So you're a millennial, and you're also the child of an immigrant in the USA. Welcome. Warning: some of the language I use is intended as comedic sarcasm. I will try to refrain and limit that as much as possible, but no promises cause we're all here to have fun and maybe learn something (but more to have fun).
By Daniel Saravia7 years ago in Families
Stronger Than I Knew
I never knew how strong I was until I walked away without my son. A mother’s love knows no boundaries. She will take any measure to ensure her child’s safety, well-being, and overall health. My relationship with his father was unhealthy and my son witnessed the name calling, raising of voices, shoving, hitting, and he could feel the sadness. The relationship had been that way since the beginning and as time passed things progressed and changed. We took a break for a year—it was a mutual agreement after six years of the relationship. It did us good being away from each other although we still spoke and saw each other.
By Scarlett Price7 years ago in Families
IX
Every time I start one of these, I fail. I try to tell myself you'll get one for yourself one of these times. That I'll suddenly find a way to summarize what you and I shared for so long, but never enough. But the stark reality of the situation is that I simply can't. There's too much to attempt to recall, too much to try my damndest to explain to people who just won't understand, because it was our thing. Ours, and now mine. And that, in and of itself, is not okay.
By Jakob Russell7 years ago in Families
How to Survive the Holidays When Your Family Makes You Anxious
Christmas has always been my favourite holiday. It has always reminded me of the blissful ignorance of childhood when the world was viewed through a sparkly, magical lens of happiness. I didn’t care what the adults around me were up to. I was just happy that they were there and that there were presents and cookies and good music.
By Jessica Rowe7 years ago in Families
Diary of a Dad Aged 50¾ - Part 9
You’ve come across the scenario before. You’re in the supermarket and it’s not long before you hear a child crying or whinging about the fact that they are in that supermarket and the parents are doing everything possible to both control the children and their own tempers.
By Steve Atkins-Linnell7 years ago in Families
Holding On, Letting Go
I read a quote this morning that said: "Having a teenager is like flying a kite that gets lost in the clouds. Even when you can't see it, you feel its pull on the string."
By Jody James7 years ago in Families
I Am That Girl
The older I become, the more I realize I am so much of THAT girl still. The girl from a small town, the girl who comes from money (though it was not always that way), the girl that dresses like an alien and who just can not fit in, the girl who has had what everyone else has dreamed of (at least it looked that way on the outside), that girl who wears her heart on her sleeve but can ruin you with words, THAT girl (woman, whatever) that lost custody of her child. Yes, I am THAT woman…and I am becoming okay with it.
By v7 years ago in Families
Me and the Ex
When you get into any new relationship, there is baggage. Every person has it whether they want to admit it or not. And when you get into a relationship with someone who has been married before and/or has children, you are taking on a fair bit of baggage. That's not always a bad thing.
By Samantha Reid7 years ago in Families
Thoughts of a Single Mom
The alarm goes off at six. I have about thirty minutes to get ready but the very first thing I do is start the coffee maker. I don't even bother putting on normal pants. I stay in my pajamas and just make sure my teeth are brushed and my face is clean as I go over the to-do list in my head and my thoughts wonder; start a load of laundry, need to wash the towels, need to wash sheets, wash... I need to wash the floors, but I should clean the counters first, the crumbs will get on the floor. Crumbs- dishes, I need to do the dishes. Am I spending too much time cleaning? I should take my daughter to the park. Why isn't she awake yet? Maybe we should have a screen-free day. If we have a screen-free day I will get nothing done. Maybe I can get something done during nap time. She doesn't nap often.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families