Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Dear Little Sister
It’s one of those nights to where my mind drifts and I ponder about life. Lately, I’ve been on my best journey yet to self-discovery. For the longest time, I have wanted that teenage girl I used to be so innocent, untouched, carefree and always cautious. Now that I’m much older I want something I haven’t had yet. To love who I am for all my flaws and imperfections and to care less who loves me or will be by my side. Those that are the truest will never stray, any amount of time or distance they will never part from us.
By Scarlett Price7 years ago in Families
MyPhoto Changed the Way I Do Sentimental Gifts, And I’ll Never Go Back. Top Story - November 2018.
Call me old, or just call me old-fashioned, but I’ve never been much of a tech guy. It just never was my thing, and I preferred to live life the way my parents lived it. It’s been that way for 45 years, and I never really saw it changing.
By Michael Pickett7 years ago in Families
What Are We Doing to Our Children?
We have all probably noticed the growing epidemic of personality disorders. It seems as though we are all developing some issue that is causing us to be "un-normal." While I do agree that there are some disorders that do need to be "treated" there are many, that with counseling and education, the increasing number of "medicated" young adults can be avoided. These medications not only give people an excuse to not move forward and be active, viable, "normal," adults but it also affects the actual growth and systems within their bodies. With this "disorder epidemic" we are also creating a future of medication-related problems.
By Hm Weimar7 years ago in Families
Why Didn't You Love Me More?
Why didn't you love me more? It is a question that rattles in my brain daily. It wasn't that you were bad parents. I never felt like I was lacking, financially at least. There was something off, however. I don't think I realized it fully until I was a mother myself. Being a mother has given me such intense joy. It has also made me sad knowing I never felt that intensity from my own mother. It has taken until now, at 29, to realize how royally fucked parts of my family are.
By Mama Mood7 years ago in Families
Me, Momma, and Ralph T.
What kind of reason do you need to give up on your kid? Winning the Irish Sweepstakes? Maybe smashing in your brain and coming down with amnesia? Losing your job?
By Tracy Coffee Gayle7 years ago in Families
Starving to Shame
Two weeks ago, I was babysitting at a five-star hotel. I was starving, so I put the little baby boy in the buggy and headed up to the lounge. They told me there would be free food up there, but there was nothing left but fruit. Fruit? What kind of joke was that? Maybe I could order a sandwich! But no one was around… I was going to faint any time soon unless I treated my stomach to a decent meal. The parents had made it very clear: you can either hang out in the room or in the lounge, but that’s all. Don’t go anywhere else. Don’t go outside. Why wasn’t I allowed to go to the restaurant on the ground floor? It made no sense at all. But well, you always have to please the customers…
By Mireia Prats7 years ago in Families
Daddy Issues (Part 2)
If you haven't read my original Daddy Issues story, you should do that before reading this one. I promise it will help you understand it better.
By Kinlie Worthen7 years ago in Families
Why Growing up in a Religious Household Made Me Hate Religion
I grew up being raised by a family that devoted their whole lives to their religion. That's great, don't get me wrong. I think believing in something gives you hope. We could all use a little of that today. But I ended up feeling differently about it.
By Valentina Sophia7 years ago in Families
Blue and Proud
A sense of pride fills me as I watch the men in navy blue march past. I know none of them, but I have my own. I’m blinded for a moment by the light dancing off the shining metals and pins, recognizing several. I remember all his stories from growing up and smile beside myself.
By Hannah Payne7 years ago in Families
What I Have Learned from My Child with Autism. Top Story - November 2018.
I have a nephew who turned 12 recently and when he was diagnosed with autism, I started researching right away. I tried everything I could to understand what’s going on in his head and how to help him. I now have a 3-year-old son who also was diagnosed with autism June 6, 2018. With my previous experience with my nephew, I thought I knew everything I needed to know to work with a child with autism. The only thing having a nephew with autism helped me with was knowing the diagnosis was probable since my son was showing similar signs that my nephew did (I’ve suspected that my son has autism for over a year now but doctors brushed it off until this year when we had a neurologist officially diagnosis him with autism). I have learned so much from my son and I want to share it.
By CinKay7 years ago in Families
'Tis the Season
It starts around my birthday. Turning another year older is somewhat daunting, but I’m excited to see what is in store for me. The birthday wishes start to roll in from almost everybody. I sit at the table, with cake in front of me, surrounded by some of my favorite people. All eyes are on me, except my eyes are wandering around the room. Looking for someone who I know couldn’t make it. I know he tried his best, but his efforts just weren’t enough. I smile, make a few jokes, and eat some cake. My phone is practically glued to my hand, despite not wanting to answer everybody’s happy birthday messages, and I check my phone constantly to see if I got a text or a missed call from someone. The hours go by, still no call. I call the number, hoping to get told they were busy at work, but only to get their voicemail. I distract myself to forget about reality. Before I know it, it’s the end of September. And I’m getting worse. The holidays are creeping in, and so are my memories. I keep busy to pass the time, only to realize Thanksgiving is next week. The smell of the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day automatically puts you in a food coma. I sit at the table, filling my plate with delicious food, waiting for a prayer to be said, only to hear someone else’s voice. As I head out to see the rest of the family, I feel as though someone is missing. Almost as if they’re running late, only to get in the car and realize they aren’t coming. The laughter fills the room, but mine isn’t genuine. The conversation varies from something political to something not so serious to getting asked what the family is doing for his anniversary. Unlike most of my family members, I don’t want to do anything. I go through what happened every single day and frankly, I don’t need any help remembering. I understand why they want to do something, but sometimes it’s just too much. I soon realize that Christmas is around the corner. Between shopping and getting ready for Christmas, I barely have time to breathe. Only to catch my breath on Christmas Eve. I get put in charge of dinner that way the others can go to Christmas Eve mass. I set the table, counting out how many people, only to count one extra. Dinner is ready, but it can’t get over with fast enough. There is small talk, but it’s still quiet and weird. The conversation isn’t the same, hasn’t been in three years. I sit back only to wish it was over. I get through it... barely. Here comes the new year! I celebrate at midnight only to sit by my phone at 12:03 waiting for a phone call I’ll never receive. I’ve been getting worse as the weeks have been going on. I feel alone, even in a room full of people. I smile because it’s the holidays, I’m supposed to be happy. I laugh because I don’t want people to think something’s wrong. I zone out, a lot. Then I slowly get better. Until it’s his birthday. Then I go to call and yell happy birthday, only to receive his voicemail. I realize he’s gone, but I wish it wasn’t true. Sometimes I wish he would come back just for one day, to have one more conversation or hug. I catch parts of him in strangers on the street and sometimes strangers even look like him. You don’t move on from the pain, it doesn’t get easier; you just get used to it.
By B7 years ago in Families
What Christmas Really Means to Me
When people around me think of Christmas, they often think of Christmas parties, presents and decorations and a Christmas tree. However in my house we put up a tree and just minimal decorations. We don't buy lots of Christmas presents, we buy small because to us the thought counts more than quantity or cost.
By Carol Ann Townend7 years ago in Families