Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Tired of You!
I'm a single mom who's always trying to do the right things. I'm in my second to last semester at my community college that I've been in since I got out of high school. I had to quit my job because it was so stressful, I got gastritis. And my biggest problem is my daughter's father because I'm constantly bending my back for him and when has he ever done the same for me? Never!
By Ameenah M.8 years ago in Families
Do You Really Have to Grow Up?
On Saturday I attended my four-year-old daughter Ava’s preschool graduation. Ava is my third and final child. My third to go through and graduate from preschool; my third to grow up. Ava is the baby of the family, but in reality, she has not been a baby for a long time. No matter how much I sometimes wish she still was.
By Amanda Brock8 years ago in Families
A Future of Forgiveness
I was reading a book today and something incredible happened: a line clicked for me that may just be a game changer. You see, I've been living life as if I do not need a boyfriend or husband, uninterested in the tradition that is marriage. A guesstimated seventy percent of that decision is because of brokenness that I still have from my parents' divorce. A divorce that happened long ago. A divorce that I thought I had moved on from and in light of recent events, realized that I was still dealing with. A divorce that deserves a different story than the one I am here to tell today.
By Betty Albertson8 years ago in Families
Rain or Shine
Heat makes the ground bend when you’re 6 and eye level with stalks of corn blistering in July beams. Hunger is hunger whether you’re 7 or 29.
By Renee Beck8 years ago in Families
The Adoptive Homestudy
If you are interested in expanding your family through adoption, you will need to prepared to complete the adoption process. So what is the process and how long will it take? The process itself and the time involved will differ from state to state, as each state has its own requirements to be approved as an adoptive parent. However, there are common requirements that must be met by all states. As you explore the idea of adoption, you will need to determine what the requirements are in the state that you reside.
By Clara Harrison8 years ago in Families
Living with & Loving a Sick Child
Most would-be parents wish for a baby who is “healthy and happy.” Fortunately for most parents, that happens. For some parents, however, the baby may be happy but not healthy. Living with a child with a chronic illness can challenge a family’s patience and resources. As the parent of a 13-year-old who has been ill since his toddler days, let me offer you these 5 tips for caregiving for a chronically ill child.
By Brandi Brown8 years ago in Families
DNA
The picture above shows you my gorgeous little boy Malachai and my partner Matthew. Now they don’t look alike because they’re not related. Malachai isn’t his son. Malachai’s biological dad left when he was five days old and Matthew met Malachai when he was six weeks old. Now I know that sounds like I moved on very quick, but I’ve previously been with Matthew before. I met him in 2015 when I was living in a young person's housing establishment. We were together for over a year and a half but things got muddled and we broke up.
By Cherry Rose8 years ago in Families
How to Survive Being a SAHM
There seems to be an idealized view of what it's like to be a stay at home mom. We wake up for homemade breakfasts of fun shaped pancakes topped with healthy fruit that our children devour with glee. We take picnics at the park with whole wheat bread. We share giggles under blanket forts. Maybe we do a lot of these things, but we also have plenty of work as well. There's a reason daycare is so expensive—kids take a lot of work throughout the day!
By Amy Jourdan8 years ago in Families
To the Girl Who Lost Her Dad Too Soon
Let’s start this off by saying I’m sorry. There is nothing that anyone can do to make this okay or better. There is no justifying. But here’s to peace.
By Hannah Brown8 years ago in Families
Entry #2: Relationship with My Mother??? It's Complicated
"Kailyn's chewing her rubber bracelet, again. She's going to swallow it and choke one of these times," my mother says as we walk down the street towards a restaurant.
By Kimberly Nicholls8 years ago in Families
My Buddy
That Saturday was a regular day for me: dance class in the morning, then a trip to Five Below. But, after dance class that morning, my life changed forever. We pulled into the parking lot, and my mom stopped me from getting out of the car. “I have some bad news,” she said. What went through my mind was that my great uncle had passed away, because just a few days prior, he had been admitted into the hospital for a stroke. So, I started preparing myself. I knew he was sick and wasn’t getting the proper care he needed. Instead, my mom told me that you passed, and I was instantly in disbelief. I said, “okay,” but I just wanted to get out of the car. She started asking questions like, “Do you need a hug?” and “Are you okay?” My response was, “I’m fine.” I went into the store to buy some candy and headphones.
By Diamond Ninja8 years ago in Families
Dear Mom
When you married my dad, I told you that I would call you my mom from now on. You quickly told me not to do that, since the woman that gave birth to me was still alive. I didn't understand why that mattered.
By Andy Ford8 years ago in Families