Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
An Early Thanksgiving
There's entirely too many Mammy dolls and statuettes in this house. It's like stepping into another realm, one which I don't blend in to. Grandma and Grandpa Mac's house, which Grandpa built with his own two hands. Everything is immaculate, orderly, pristine. I am out of my element among family members, their intrusive questions briefly answered with forced smiles. The smell of food wafts through house, as does gossip about church stories and how good God is for sparing Uncle James' house from water damage. I guess the other unfortunate waterlogged neighbors' house weren't worth God's attention.
By CT Idlehouse7 years ago in Families
Growing and Glowing This Holiday Season
It’s nearly Thanksgiving and before you know it Christmas will be on the horizon. There is nothing like the holidays! Time with family, friends, good food and making lasting memories is what this time of year is for. The best thing about the holiday season is you can create a legacy of joy with loved ones. However, to enjoy the holidays to the fullest, it’s a good idea to slow down and make the most of life's little moments. It's in the everyday that we can find those tender moments that will stay with us long after the last ornament is boxed away.
By Denise Joyce Williams7 years ago in Families
How to Handle a Toxic Mother-In-Law
Do you think you're noticing some of the signs your mother-in-law hates you? If you are in a situation where you need to handle a toxic mother-in-law, you may need some tips on how to stand your ground and/or communicate better with your family member so that you can move forward with your relationship. It is important to be on even ground with mother-in-law, and not feel bad about your situation. Many times, setting the boundaries early on can be necessary as opposed to being passive aggressive. There are many different strategies to keep family relationships strong and prevent monsters-in-law from getting ugly. Here is some of our best advice.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Families
I Grew Up on a Fence
I grew up on a fence. Of right and wrong, of religion and none, and of celebrating things and abstaining from them, simultaneously. One house where I had to be extra careful not to upset the dragon and the other where I had to be extra cautious not to let my secrets be known. In both, I had to pretend I was not trying desperately to let people see/not see the pain and shame I wore like a uniform.
By Tiffany Brandon7 years ago in Families
What Is a Good Mother?
When I was younger, as a child I remember more horrible memories then good from my mother. I remember being three and left alone at a football game house party, wandering, looking for my mother and only finding a bunch of men with beer. I remember being left alone with stranger more than with my mother. My family would take time to raise me and teach me things my mother should have been teaching me. I remember being eight and my mom asking me for sex and relationship advice. At 12, I came out to my mother with a deep, dark secret that I was being raped, and had been for years previously. What did she say?
By Erika Fries7 years ago in Families
The Unknown Infection That Is Leading to Mental Health Issues In Kids
How many mothers out there were told that they tested positive for strep? How many of you knew what that meant during labor? What if the antibiotics didn't work and you passed this "strep" on to your children?
By Jacci Storey7 years ago in Families
Losing Cherish
I was watching her videos and looking at her pictures over and over. Like I did in my downtime every night at work. I was still in awe of being a new mom. I was smitten with her and I adored being a mom. Cherish’s mommy. I envisioned our lives together, how I planned to move to the Ft. Myers area for bigger, more affordable houses. I thought of how her voice would sound when she was older, how much fun I would have teaching her how to go potty, ride a bike, or tie her shoes. I started to call to check on things, but I remembered my husband’s words: “You don’t have to call every two hours, I have to get some rest for work. Our daughter is fine in my care, stop worrying so much. We will both be here when you get home.” He had told me that every night for four months. I just wanted to check in and make sure everything was OK, but he was right, he was her father, he’d been doing a fine job so far, and it was time I stopped worrying so much.
By Tera Summers7 years ago in Families
What It's like to Be the Child of a Single Parent
I don't think I've actually said it to him. I never said thank you. Never said thank you for raising me alone. I know I didn't make it easy. I know I was frustrating from day one, but he did it. My dad raised me alone. He took me to daycare, and then to school. He packed me lunches for field trips and helped me with my homework. He worked so many hours, just to give me the life he never had; the life he thought I deserved. My dad spoiled me because he felt guilty that I only had one parent. But even with all the toys, the thing that stands out to me the most was that every picture I drew was hung on the fridge, and every ugly clay creation was kept. I think the hardest of all was when he comforted me as I cried about the parent who wasn't there. I didn't even know if he was still mourning her. I just knew I was sad about the life I thought to be normal. I was mourning a life I had never got to have, and even though he was mourning the life he did have, he took me in his arms and comforted me.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Useful Baby Items vs Waste of Time!. Top Story - November 2018.
I'll start by saying these are just my opinions, based on my experiences in preparing for the birth of three babies so far. I remember trawling the internet for hours, searching for every little thing to make sure I was prepared. Here is a list I wish I had seen.
By Jaz Johnstone7 years ago in Families
