Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Drugs Are What I Know but I Am Not an Addict
Heroin became my mother, brother, and sisters best friends. Living in a small, middle class, suburban town outside of one of the greatest cities in the world; You would think in such a decent neighborhood “no hardcore drugs would effect me!” But you’re wrong. Growing up with a severely mentally ill mother with manic depression was tough enough. My brother and sister were the popular kids when they were teens. I was a big nobody. They started smoking weed and partying every weekend. Which turned into everyday. Then my mother wanted to be a part of their fun endeavors. My mother introduced her prescription drugs to my siblings. My sister liked them but my brother didn’t. Soon after my brother got hooked on perc 30s (Percocets, 30 mg). Doing those drugs was fun and games and I just watched from the bleachers. They looked so cool and like they were living their best lives until one day heroin came into our lives. I’ve never done any of the drugs I was exposed to as a kid but boy they sure did leave an everlasting impact and continue to do so til this day. The first time my mother and siblings snorted the drug they became a slave to it. It’s cheaper for a bundle of heroin rather than any pills you can cop on the street. After awhile you get used to their violent fits, their nodding out, and acting like they’re having seizures. Then being a young kid picking up after them constantly. Making sure they make better choices no matter how small. Having to grow up fast and realize you don’t want this lifestyle. Yet, you’re stuck with no way out until you can finish school and make some real money. All you have is the clothes on your back so you can’t leave. You feel like you’re trapped in a cage doing the same routine day after day. They are too but they get to escape through chemical use. You have to sit in silence while no one cares about what happens to you. No one reaches out to help you but you don’t reach out to anyone in fear of rejection. “What might the community think of me? I don’t do the drugs but it has to make me look like a junky.” The truth is most people believe the first thing they hear about someone. I have been treated like I’m less than because of the choices my family has made. Oh but I do have a father and he enables the drug habits. He gives them money after they steal from him. Make them out to be the poster children of America. All while you try so hard to do good just for one person to notice. You’re stuck in the background just a sound of wind that’s overturned and ignored once again. One little bad grade on your test. One dish not cleaned and you are the criminal. There’s no room in this house unless you start to abuse the drug but you’re too afraid of going near that substance that has taken so many lives. You’re in a losing fight. Heroin is now all you know.
By Vee7 years ago in Families
The Best Gift He Gave Me Was Leaving
When you marry someone, you don’t think of an end other than “til death do you part.” You see forever, you see the one, you see the both of you growing together, having kids, buying a house, traveling the world, and growing old. For me, that was not how it worked out. For me, my husband did not want forever, he just wanted for now.
By Jessica Smith7 years ago in Families
Different. Not Less.
My son turned seven in August. He's in second grade. It's been eight months since he was "diagnosed." I always knew he was special. Extra smart. Had his little quirks that he had. Strange little habits he had. But nothing to odd. No big like "wow" eye opening things.
By Becca Pace7 years ago in Families
Motherless Mom
This is going to be my first time sharing my story here so please go easy on me. I'm not really a writer so forgive any grammar and spelling errors.
By Dusti Bergstrom7 years ago in Families
How to Stay Fit and Enjoy Family Life
Starting a family is a wonderful thing, but it comes with a lot of sacrifice and things that you have to decide to get rid of. Forget about your hobbies and days where you can spend all on your own. Having a family is hard work, especially when you have a little kid around. One of the first things to go is actually your figure and fitness. Since you will hardly even have any time to train, your fitness will be the first thing to go.
By Carolin Petterson7 years ago in Families
Daddy Issues
Since this is my first story I've ever written, I believe that it is only fair to me if I tell this horrific story of my father (who really isn't my father in any way but we will get into that) and all that he has done to me and my mom over the 20 years that I have had contact with him.
By Kinlie Worthen7 years ago in Families
Raising Six
It has been nothing short of a struggle with six kids—two being my biological, and four being my boyfriend's. My two are with us always. Their father, my ex husband, left a couple years ago and jumps from state to state and he doesn't call for months at a time. His four, we have five-six days a week. His ex wife is supposed to have them Friday night through Sunday early afternoon but rarely makes it her whole visit. They are R–three-years-old, H–three-years-old (they are two months apart). Then there is K–six-years-old, C–seven-years- old, L–eight-years-old and A–ten-years-old. I couldn't be more in love with there dad and I wouldn't change things for the world. I love all of them so much. But let me tell you. Stepping in and taking in four more that aren't my own is exhausting. And he knows that. He knows that he hit gold finding a women that has done just that as their "real" mom has begun to bail. He cooks he cleans and he takes better care of me then I have ever experienced being as I was married to a complete POS. We're a team and we do everything according so. My son, being very very mildly autistic has accepted and loves him. And my daughter adores him. She has really never had a father figure in her life beings as her dad left when she was nine months and never really had anything to do with her when he was home anyways. So I'm gonna try writing each day. Or every couple and share our crazy world with everyone. It started off a little bumpy. We were very on and off. But things got serious. He begged for a chance. And now we all live together in a tiny 1000 square ft house. Two bedrooms. Two baths. But somehow we balance the chaos and we make it all work. He's my best friend and teammate. There isn't screaming or arguing and fighting like both of our past relationships. When we disagree we agree to disagree and move on. Or if we come to an obstacle we talk through it. We find a solution together.
By Becca Pace7 years ago in Families
5 Ways to Help Depression as a Mom
I will never ever regret having my beautiful daughter. When my boyfriend and I found out we were pregnant on the night of our friend's wedding, we were ecstatic. We were ready to have our family, and we were ready for all in entailed... Or so we had thought.
By Emmie Mayberry7 years ago in Families
Family or Family?
I was stumped, pondering the choice that I was given. They needed the answer within two weeks whether I was ready or not. I needed to think about the pros and cons as it will affect my life for either the next four months or for the rest of my life. It’s not something that I could just immediately answer.
By Ariana Edington7 years ago in Families
The Second Child. Top Story - October 2018.
Professionals, friends, family, fellow parents and even non-parents all have their opinions on when is the best time to have 'The Second Child', but really it all depends on you and your life. Every couple, every eldest child—every family is different.
By Hannah Carter7 years ago in Families
Baby Brother No More
When my flight landed in San Antonio this past Wednesday night, I was annoyed, sick, and ready for bed. I had just worked a nine-hour day, dropped my sweet dog at a friend’s house, and driven myself to the small local airport in time to board my flight. I looked down at my dead cell phone and wondered how the hell I was going to find my parents, who had just landed from California. I’m sure I looked a complete mess as I approached a family I had shared a few words with on the plane: “Can I please borrow someone’s phone?”
By Bethany Spiva7 years ago in Families
When It Becomes Too Heavy
Domestic violence is like this country's dirty little secret. Everyone knows it is happening but, until it directly affects you or someone you love, it isn't talked about. There are many reasons why, such as embarrassment, shame, and even guilt; we are silenced. As little girls we are told that a boys is mean to you when 'he likes you' and that "boys will be boys." As we grow we are ingrained to accept that boys are rough, they can be mean, and that their affection can hurt. That is beyond unfair. He can't hurt you and love you at the same time.
By Aleea Whitmire7 years ago in Families