Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Being a Mom of a Preemie Baby
Being pregnant my senior of high school at 18-years-old was a very scary time for me. I was never quite sure what to do or if what I was doing was the right thing or not. Trying to balance school and being pregnant at the same time was a full time job in itself. I decided to go to an online school where I could do my class work online to graduate either early or right after my daughter was born.
By Lisa Williams7 years ago in Families
Today We Buried My Grandma
Today we buried my grandma. I couldn't have been more appalled. I knew she had passed away, obviously, but it really didn't hit me until I was there, standing at her casket. I don't know why. I was there when she was in the hospital. I stood by her bedside while a priest prayed over her. I knew what was coming. I would like to say I was mentally prepared. That would be a lie though. My grandma was one of those people that you never picture dying. I honestly thought I would pass away before she did. I never thought of her as sick or old. She was in her 90s and I still fully believe she could've kicked my butt. I know I'm not the only one who thought this. Just looking around the room it was pretty obvious that no one there was prepared for her passing. She was the only grandparent I ever really knew and listening to people talk about her today I cried even harder because there's so much I didn't know about her too.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Beginning to Move Forward After a Miscarriage
As we draw to the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, I wanted to talk about moving forward—starting with going back to work. It's Saturday night and by some miracle I have made it through 5 days back in school. My word was it tough. Teaching 26 of other people's children is a hard way to throw yourself back in but I managed and as the week has progressed I have found it became a big distraction. But as I drove home from work for the weekend I felt that the distraction was too soon in a way. I felt annoyed at myself, maybe even slightly angry, that I hadn't thought about our Little Bean much. I don't want to forget about them and I know I can't think about them all of the time but I'm not sure I was ready for less thoughts to happen yet. I was tearful on the way home because of it. I was also incredibly tired and drained. It didn't help that Tuesday evening I gave myself a black eye in the garden just before bed! (Don't headbutt a BBQ—it hurts!)
By Aimee W7 years ago in Families
Women Deserve More Parental Rights than Men
So this may be an unpopular opinion, and if I'm going to be honest, I didn't think this way until after I had a baby and started having to deal with a P.O.S. baby daddy. I believe that (in most cases) mothers deserve more rights/ automatic rights than the father. I know, "Woah, woah what?? What kind of bra burning, man hating, feminist bullshit is this!?"
By Mich7 years ago in Families
Raising My Daughter Religiously
Religion and I have never quite seen eye to eye. I was raised in a Catholic church, not super strictly or anything—we weren't at church every single Sunday or anything. But my dad always sat with us at bedtime to say our prayers. We were at church on the major holidays and we were baptized and had communion and were confirmed. I, however, was not the perfect little religious child. I was definitely more rebellious than religious. The church that I attended wasn't exactly thrilled when I got pregnant out of wedlock but luckily, I have a pretty cool family and they introduced me to the church I currently take my daughter to.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Grief
The sudden loss of a loved one will turn your life upside down. It's devastating. They're here one day ... gone the next. How the hell do you cope with something like that?
By Roger Kriner7 years ago in Families
Desperately Seeking a Slow Down
Dear mamas, you are wonderful. Let's just get that out of the way. Working, stay at home, married, single, all of the above... you are awesome. I don't discredit dads at all, my husband is one of the best there is. I am speaking to the mamas because that is what I am, and that is who I'm writing for. No matter how many kids we have, or what our days look like, we are busy. I don't know about you but even when I'm sleeping, my subconscious is always thinking about the kids. I know this because I wake up at the drop of a hat when my kids make any type of noise at night. Just this morning about 3 AM, I swear I was awake before my 3-year-old even came in to tell me he peed the bed. My husband, that glorious dude, was passed OUT and didn't wake to even ask what was going on. I ask him sometimes if I ever were to go away for a night, what would he do if something happened? He insists that he would be fine and that he just stays sleeping because he knows I am here. Thanks, dear. I am not complaining. He works hard so that I can be home with our three kids, ages 5, 3-1/2, and 1-1/2. My point is this: we as mamas always have our children on the brain. It's probably instinct. We carry them, feed them, care for them, so therefore we are attached in a way that maybe others aren't, or don't understand. It is both a blessing and a curse. (I will get to the photo soon, I promise.)
By just dani7 years ago in Families
The Mother-Daughter Battle. Top Story - October 2018.
I kept seeing people on the interwebs who had written letters to their teenage selves. Sounded like a solid little self-reflection exercise, so I figured I’d give it a try. I thought it would be easy (and perfect timing) considering I just took a major trip down memory lane complete with laughter, tears and a large fire while cleaning out my childhood room at my parent’s house.
By Kacie Main7 years ago in Families
30 Journal Entries to Self Discovery—Day 20
Hello all! Welcome to day twenty and day twenty-one! Yesterday was a little chaotic and I missed my writing time so here I am! I'm sorry if you actually missed me yesterday. But you get two of me today!!! Isn't that exciting? I hope so anyway. If it's annoying then thanks for still reading. Here's the quote of the day: "It is perfectly okay to write garbage - as long as you edit brilliantly."—C.J. Chennyh
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
PPD and How It Took a Toll on Me
I didn’t realize that being a mom would make me feel so empty. It was day one of motherhood, and I was terrified to touch this little joy lying in the room. I was terrified like how I am anytime something beautiful enters my life. I always try to push everything away, and that’s what I did from the start with him.
By Chloe K.7 years ago in Families
My Promise to My Daughter
Oh my little one, how time does fly. Where you once were smaller than my chest you now fill my torso with your snuggles. You reach up to gently touch my face and it melts my heart. From waking every two hours to sometimes sleeping through the night. You, my little baby, have grown so quickly and yet have so much more growing to do. Time is going way too quickly and oh how I wish could slow it down or even rewind and replay it sometimes.
By Amanda Vadeboncoeur7 years ago in Families
Independent Play
Independent play; it comes along much too quickly. We wait for a time when we can leave them on their own to play. A time when we don't have to hold them or watch them so closely. A time when we can put them in a jumper and watch them enjoy themselves. A time when we can leave them to their own devices while we take a much-needed break or catch up on things.
By Samantha Reid7 years ago in Families