Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

10 Apps for New Moms That Will Make Your Life Easier
New moms, thankfully, have a world of resources available to them. From books to podcasts to television shows and apps for new moms, take your pick! It's important that mothers have these outlets, there are a lot of changes when you become a mama after all.
By Sherry Campbell8 years ago in Families
How I Live With a Disability
Hello folks, welcome to another article here on Vocal. It's been awhile for me. I last wrote in March with a great article talking about driving which got a nice award for it being on the front page on Vocal’s site in the appropriate category. Today, I want to take a different approach to an article and talk about living with a disability and what was done to support me both in the technology side, as well as life in general.
By Jared Rimer8 years ago in Families
Neglect
I used to live in a closet. For starters, I’ve actually lived in a lot of closets, cars, hotels, shelters; one time it was an abandoned boat parked in an empty lot.
By Vanessa Holland8 years ago in Families
Who Should Come First? The Marriage or the Kids?
Like most things in the parenting realm, this is a topic that people are very passionate about. I've read and heard a lot of opinions on the topic and it's truly something that interests me. If I'm being honest, I agree with points on both sides of the argument. Since I love hearing about different perspectives and keeping an open mind to others, I figured I'd weigh in on the topic myself.
By Tiffany Green8 years ago in Families
The 5 Stages of Becoming a Step-Parent
Entering a new relationship is never easy, but entering one when your new partner has a child already seems to be an atomic bomb of emotions and trials. Suddenly, you are faced with a small person, who even if you have known them all of their life, is now the tiny dictator of your home life. Suddenly, you have to take on a different role, the role of "You will test me, and I will not let you break me, I am an adult, I can do this." No amount of you telling yourself you are an adult can prepare you for this, no amount of coffee or chocolate will help you either. If anything, you will lose that chocolate in your new secret hiding places you are now having to find for sweets.
By Emily Wiggins8 years ago in Families
The Importance of Parents & Consistency
What happens when you and your partner do not agree on how to parent your children? This is a tough one, but also a very important one. My husband and I come from two very different upbringings. His with two parents and six other siblings. Mine with divorced parents, many step-parents, and siblings but raised apart and only together at certain times of the year. Coming together as parents can be very difficult but very crucial to your children's development. My husband and I are still working on this and it's honestly been the main topic of disagreements for us. We rarely argue, but if there is a disagreement this is usually the reason. We don't realize it at times but we were continuously battling each other and hurting one another's feelings almost daily because of this.
By Rochelle H8 years ago in Families
A Converted Muslim’s Letter to Her Parents
I love you. I know we don’t see each other as much as i would like; I just wanted to make sure you knew that. Mom: Things have changed over the years, both big and small. Things you’ve been proud of as well as things you were disappointed with or didn’t accept at first. You were always my provider and inspiration from a young age. As a single mother of three, you worked hard to make sure we had the necessities needed to survive. Now that I have two little ones of my own, I can’t begin to imagine all the hardships you endured.
By Drea Dz8 years ago in Families
You Are Not Perfect Parents
Let's be real, every parent wants to be the perfect parent for their children, however, you almost instantly realize no such parent exists. Being a parent is a HARD JOB, the hardest job I personally have ever had. When you start your journey or unpaid career as a parent you don't have a Bachelor's Degree going in. There is no schooling for being a parent, sure there are plenty of books, believe me, I have read them and still do. Until you give birth and become a parent, your true education doesn't start until you are on the job. I am so extremely thankful for the many books to assist with the ups and downs and the "Oh no, what do I do now?" moments as a parent.
By Rochelle H8 years ago in Families
Mental Health in the Perinatal Period
Choosing to start a family is portrayed to be a joyous and wonderful time—indeed, the idea is sold by the mainstream media as the pinnacle of every woman’s lifelong dream to become a mother.
By Emily R.8 years ago in Families
10 Best Pregnancy Podcasts for Dads
Becoming a dad can be a tough transition and exhausting experience. Luckily, there are more resources than self-help books out there to get you through it. These days, podcasts are leading the way in offering guidance and support for any kind of situation. So naturally, when you're expecting, there's a roundtable of moms and dads there to help. These podcasts feature perspectives from all kinds of dads with different backgrounds, including musicians and doctors. If you know a dad but aren't one yourself, showing them the existence of these podcasts is a great gift for Dad that he'll actually use. But if you are a dad, whether you're in need of some advice or just need some sort of positive reinforcement, here are the ten best pregnancy podcasts for dads.
By Nick Paroni8 years ago in Families
Bad Luck Like a Lightning Storm
It was June 2014. My family finally had enough of my maternal aunt causing us nothing more than grief with her criminal activities in my maternal grandmother's home. My stepfather, late in the night, woke my mother, my little sister, myself, and twins. The twins were less than 2-years-old. He had us pack everything we could and stuff it into our tiny little 1990's van the best we could. We fit everything we could get, leaving only a couple of things behind... including the backseat.
By Ady Friel8 years ago in Families
Preparing to Bring Home Your Baby
From the moment you find out you have conceived, that is the day that would forever change your life, whether you are a first-time mom or a mother already. This is the day that you will forever have to make sure that you and the little one you are expecting is in good health and has everything they need before coming into this world.
By Ruth Owens8 years ago in Families