Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
SuperMom
As mothers, there are certain things that we try and put out of our minds. The memory of childbirth, for instance, usually gets altered in some way. We reminisce about the day quite often, choosing to relive “every” detail to those who would rather be doing anything else but listen to our labor stories. However if you’re like me, you recount it as a happy experience. Let’s face it. After all the hard work is said and done (and cleaned up), you look into your baby’s face and forget all the gruesome life experiences leading up to that beautiful angel coming into the world.
By Align and Incline Ash and India7 years ago in Families
Sign Language
One of the most stressful things as parenting, and in childcare in general, is having an infant or toddler crying out in frustration, and not knowing what they want or need. They get frustrated because they cannot communicate their need to you, and you get frustrated because you can not satisfy that need. Not being able to communicate with babies and nonverbal toddlers can feel defeating, and you can feel like you're failing as a caregiver, but teaching them sign language can help.
By Daycare Momma7 years ago in Families
Life
When I was really little my Mom left me with my Grandma and Grandpa so much I thought my Grandma was my Mom. I called her Mom and she would correct me, "No I'm not your Mom, I'm your Grandma." And once I was old enough to play by myself my Mom would always leave me by myself and she hardly ever interacted with me. Some people have fond memories of their Moms playing with them, or making lunch and eating together, or anything like that. I have memories of my Mom getting upset because I didn't get the bathroom spotlessly clean, or get all the laundry folded by myself fast enough. I remember being told to clean the kitchen and if I missed even one spoon I had to redo the whole kitchen. When I was about 6 is when my step-brother raped me, repeatedly over the course of several months. My father and grandfather had also molested me and done horrible things. My grandfather would walk around completely naked and force me to look at his penis. My Mom knew this sort of stuff was happening, and she knew Chris raped me, but for some reason she still let me go over there every other weekend. I remember having full-on panic attacks and complete breakdowns because I didn't want to go, but she'd make me. Chris raping me became a huge deal for many years, with people defending him, or saying he didn't rape me, or justifying what he did to me, or say that I'm making it all up. I have really clear, vivid memories of it, though. I went to a therapist about it for a while, but my Mom never wanted to put in the effort to take me. My Grandma would drive all the way out to make sure I made it to the sessions. I was really scared there and I remember the therapists getting frustrated because absolutely nothing they tried would get me to talk and tell them what happened. They could never get me to tell them how far he went and the full extent of what he did, and I never told them about what my Father and Grandfather did. I only ever talked to my Grandma about those things because she was the only person I ever felt comfortable talking to.
By Mariah Kelley7 years ago in Families
A Father's Love
In the blink of an eye your life can change. Something so small as a phone call or text message to something so magical and wonderful as the gift of life. Finding the love of your life to holding a newborn baby so soft yet so steady. These are just a few things that come to mind when I think of our story. We were blessed one day to find out we were going to be parents.
By Krystal Kathleen7 years ago in Families
The Life of an 18-Year-Old
My childhood consisted of quite a few activities. Most of these were pretty typical, vacations, playing outside, enjoying family functions. This created a very happy childhood for me. There are some pretty vivid memories I remember much better than the others. Looking back on my childhood I now see where I got a lot of my influences from.
By Lucas Marshall7 years ago in Families
Panic Attacks and Triggers
Panic attacks are debilitating and can be humiliating to have others see. If you're around anyone else, you probably feel like they're staring at you and you're making a huge fool of yourself. All you want to do is curl up into a ball and disappear. And if it's your kids, you probably feel even worse. You feel like you're being a horrible mother, setting the worst example for them, and your mind is racing with every bad thing you could possibly think. But take a step back and breathe. Having a panic attack in front of your kids does NOT make you a horrible mother! It may seem like the worst thing ever, but you can and will get through it. Contrary to how it feels, it WILL be ok!
By Mariah Kelley7 years ago in Families
Losing Mom
Mom, the nurturing, caregiver who always has your back. I was only 4 when my mom lost her battle to breast cancer at only 30 years young. For most, this is something they won’t experience until later in life but whether you are 4 or 64 losing your mother is an emotional roller coaster that just becomes slightly barable overtime.
By Kristie Bochman7 years ago in Families
Motherhood with Mental Health
It's hard enough just being a mother, but being a mother with depression/anxiety is a whole other beast. You probably laugh when other moms complain about how hard they have it, while you think to yourself, "you don't have any clue how hard it can be!"
By Mariah Kelley7 years ago in Families
Trick-or-Treating with Autism
Towards the middle of October, the air becomes crisper and sweeter, and the moon seems brighter. Children everywhere start to get excited about Halloween. But for some kids, including many who have autism and other special needs, Halloween can be a stressful time. Their routines are thrown off. Things just feel different. They are suddenly being told they are supposed to do things they are usually not supposed to do, such as demanding candy from strangers. Some children may start to have behavioral problems or have a lot of anxiety as Halloween gets closer. Here are some tips for how parents and other caregivers can help kids have a happy Halloween.
By Angel Mann7 years ago in Families
Motherhood- The Ups, the Downs, and Everything in Between Part 2
The day had finally arrived for us to go to the doctor and see how far along I was. Have you ever had a rush of feelings hit you right before something happens? That’s exactly what happened to me while we sat in the waiting room. I had this crazy feeling that something was wrong and my anxiety shot through the roof. I turned to my spouse and told him. He tried to reassure me that everything was okay and that I was just over thinking. No matter how much he said everything was okay I couldn’t shake that feeling!
By Danika Toralbo7 years ago in Families
