Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

What It's Like to Grow Up with Toxic Parents
Every year, Mother's Day rolls around and ever since I was a little kid, I resented it. From an early age, I'd say ever since kindergarten, I realized that my mom was a piece of shit.
By Jenna Lynn8 years ago in Families
Not Your Typical Parent
Those that know me would tell you, without hesitation, that I'm the definition of the phrase "Natural Mum." Few mothers have closer bonds to their children than I do to my daughter, who's three.
By Blade X8 years ago in Families
Habits
"There's coffee in the pot," someone says to me as I'm scooping out my Nescafé instant coffee into a mug and adding hot water from the dispenser. "All good, this is faster," I reply. I tell people I'm lazy for preferring instant coffee to the real stuff. I tell people it's because I don't know how to use the coffee machine (this much is true but I’m sure I could learn if I wanted), a variety of excuses that look like I'm making my usual self-deprecating jokes. All to avoid the truth because it's just too painful to explain and I don't want to bum any of my coworkers out first thing in the morning because of a cup of coffee. The truth is that drinking this coffee reminds me of someone—of a morning ritual I got into because of that someone—it reminds me of a time I don’t want to have turned into some distant, hazy memory. Sure, I've since made that over-burnt powder more palatable with a splash of hazelnut almond milk, but every time I take that first sip I'm briefly transported back to a small blue kitchen in Murrumba Downs, Australia.
By Postit Fox8 years ago in Families
Aging Is Funny
I don't like to think about my parents getting older. Maybe it's because I know if they're getting older, that means I am too. I prefer to picture us years ago, when I had naturally dark hair and I still held high hopes my mom would figure out email.
By Lysa Christopher8 years ago in Families
Does Time REALLY Heal All Wounds?
When I was 18-years-old, I met my daughter’s father. We dated and although our relationship was very tumultuous (he was abusive), we planned and had our daughter. I was 20 when she was born; young and so very naive.
By Lisa Pantoja8 years ago in Families
Momming Ain't Easy
Being a toddler Mom is hard. Even if your toddler is well-behaved, you have days. This picture speaks more than a thousand words. The glass of wine is just out of the shot. It's a big glass.
By Krystle Trojano8 years ago in Families
The Belief in Warm Hands
The Belief in Warm Hands. Shocking. There were no other words to describe it other than that. Shocking. The amount of joy he produced was palpable—overbearing even. His smile wasn’t hinging upon monetary gains and ephemeral pleasures. He was just love, looking to be loved.
By Jordan Ento8 years ago in Families
Not Your Typical Love Story
The year was 2014. I had just started my first job at Wendy’s, you were my manager, always smiling, making me laugh. You were taken at the time, but I’d always wondered what could be. Two years later, you let me go. The reason was understood, and though I was sad, I knew it was for the best.
By Kayla Martin8 years ago in Families
Dear Family
Dear Mom, I don’t understand why you hold grudges for so long, aren’t you tired of being angry? You stay mad at your brother as if he really hurt you. If he did why don’t you tell him? Put your pride aside and let him know how much he hurt you when my nana died and he took everything that was supposed to go to you for him. Why don’t you talk to me about what happened when I was a teenager in high school. Why you stood by and did nothing as my aunt lied and framed me? She said I did drugs all because I was skinny. You knew it wasn’t true and you stood there and let her tell everyone those lies. I was hurt but I didn’t hold that grudge against you. You are still my mom and I love you so I don’t want you to keep all this toxic negativity in your body. You are strong, and you raised me on your own in that house with my nana. I wish you would learn to be happy. I wish you would find it in your heart to forgive your brother. You only have one, so don’t wait until it’s too late and one day he’s just gone. You will hold more anger and pain that you will not be able to cope with. Go tell your brother, my uncle, that you forgive him.
By ****8 years ago in Families
10 Best Movies to Watch on Mother's Day
Mother's Day doesn't always have to be about going out to a fancy restaurant, taking her to the spa, or bringing her on a shopping spree. It can be about lounging indoors, ordering takeout, and watching a movie! That's what I usually do for my mother since she hates going out. All she wants to do is rest on Mother's Day, and I don't blame her.
By Penny Newton8 years ago in Families
Ian
We knew something was not quite right with Ian as soon as I started getting induced for delivery. Ian was running late, which would be the story for his life thus far. The first in a series of decisions that would define his early life, the delivery of newborn Ian was hard. Neither of us were ready. Ian didn't want to leave his comfy place and I did not feel the need to urgently push with him as I did with my daughter. The nurse settled that by urging me to push, even if I was not ready. Ian's birth was hard for him. I will explain the lasting effects of this further in the story. The doctor was mad at the nurse for the hurried pushing. I was grateful to be out of labor. Ian seemed OK at the time.
By Dawn West8 years ago in Families
An Incapability of Attachment . Top Story - May 2018.
An Incapability of Attachment It begins with a boy, six years of age, charcoal skinned and ashen. There was something about him then, the colours of the sky; the textures of hair; the bite of a lemon. All things were wonderful and fascinating.
By Jordan Ento8 years ago in Families