Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
An Ode to Our Mothers in Celebration of Mother's Day
Mother's Day is looming for anyone who traditionally celebrates outside of the UK time zone (where Mother's Day is celebrated three weeks prior to Easter). Don't panic. The internet will provide you with a lengthy list of gifts, experiences, and DIY projects that you can share with your own mother.
By Sarah Katherine8 years ago in Families
Things Parents Let Their Kids Do That Horrify Me Now That I'm a Mom
I wasn't 100% on being a mom before I was one. Now that I am one, it's 100% what I want to be. I am fierce. I am a snarling mama bear who will go full savage at a PTA meeting if need be. I keep my kids away from refined sugar, video games, and bad influences; but I worry about other parents and their kids sometimes. I can't raise other people's kids for them and I wouldn't want to, but I do want them to raise their kids exactly how I would. These are the things parents let their kids do that horrify me now that I'm a mom.
By Chica Reyass8 years ago in Families
Family Tree
Trees take years to grow up and be strong. Each year they form a new ring and grow leaves and branches. As the tree continues to grow, some branches break, some new ones form, and some are just always there. Trees are a lot like people. We slowly grow up to be strong, and we have people in our lives who come and go like the leaves and branches. Some people will stick around and be there for you, others will deceive and leave you, but you will also meet new people who you will grow new bonds with. When most people think of a family tree, they think about their parents, siblings, and other relatives. Family is very important, however, some of your family will not always be there for you.
By Kendra Campbell8 years ago in Families
10 Common Pre-Existing Conditions in Babies
When it comes to pre-existing conditions, no health insurance plan can reject you for it. However, for certain states, they can actually charge you more, depending on the condition. Insurance plans also can’t refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any of the pre-existing conditions in your child. However, if the GOP healthcare bill passes, then many of these advantages are at risk of being taken away.
By Jennifer Violet8 years ago in Families
To Baby, From Mommy
"Ten fingers and ten toes with big eyes and a little nose...a bubbly smile and a laugh full of happiness is something that most women wish...a little body full of warmth and love that she would call a blessing from up above...Sleepless nights turn into bliss from a mothers comforting kiss..." the pen stopped on the page as she looked upon it with a hazy gaze. Vacant of thought, a hand went to her belly...it jiggled slightly as if made from jelly. Giving a heavy sigh, she tried not to cry, trying to focus the words within her mind. The urge was high to get them down as the snow outside, fell gently upon the ground. It was the day of Yule, a happy time but sad thoughts filled her heart and mind. She did not wish to take the path she had chosen, but she felt it was the right time for where her life was going. With another heavy sigh, she put pen to paper once more...jotting down the words for her baby's letter...
By Isis Stevens8 years ago in Families
Questions No Dad Should Ask His Stay-At-Home Partner
It's hard to be a woman because of how easy it is to be a man. There are just too many questions no dad should ask his stay-at-home partner. If we kept the things boys learn by age 5 that perpetuate rape culture away from boys things would be so much easier. But we don't, and, as a result, too many dads are emotionally stunted and lacking in empathy, which is why they ask all these terrible questions. These aren't important questions that convey life lessons or delve into one's family history. They're just plain insensitive. So, listen up, fathers of America: DO NOT ASK THESE QUESTIONS!
By Devon Thomas8 years ago in Families
Raising Your Pack, Your Way
You fight fires and battles every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. So why do you find it so hard to pick and choose the battles you fight with your kids? Because they are a little piece of you walking outside of your body! You don't like telling yourself no, so why would you tell your mini-me no, either? Truth is, we have to! In the South it's even harder to say no with that sweet, southern drawl we are all born with! Who can deny that, especially when your sweetie pie baby looks at you and says, "Mama, can I pwwease have some ice cream?" (emphasis on every vowel in that sentence). It will make your heart swoon! But here's the thing: we have to figure out how to get over ourselves and be parents instead of friends despite what society says for us to do. Ladies and gents, I'm here to give you some advice on raising your kids:
By Deidre Simpson8 years ago in Families
A Letter to My Parents, One They Will Never Read
As I lay in bed, a song comes on it reminds me of you as many things do. I am met with a wave of emotions, I am reminded of all the happy memories that I had with you, as well as all the terrible memories I have with you. As I remember every moment that ultimately led up to this moment, I think of all the times you told me you would stop, that you would get me back and give me a better life. Well that better life never came for me, but it did for you, in fact both of you. You have no more hurt, no more worries, while I am here stuck with just memories that are beginning to fade from the suppression that I put on them. I don't want to forget them, but you both left me with so much pain and at a young age and they hurt so much.
By Scarly Sunshine8 years ago in Families
The Truth About Living in a Homeless Shelter
Everyone has this picture in their head of what homelessness looks like. For some, it’s bums in tents, somewhere in the woods or under a highway overpass, drinking and drugging to their heart's content. Others, particularly in larger cities, see the men or women sleeping on park benches, at bus or train stops, or in a pinch on church steps. My image was that of old drunks with holes in their socks riding the rails, like a 1920s comic strip. Yet, when it happened to me, none of these images would prove to be my fate.
By Cameron Boster8 years ago in Families
The Hand Rocking the Cradle
Family Dynamics: There are five stages to forming any group, according to psychologist Steve Tuckman’s model, first developed in the 1960’s (Content Team, 2018): Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Conforming (or Adjourning). The concepts that apply to business can also be applied to how the family unit forms, because essentially, we form our own group—a family group. When all members of a group are performing as a team, the business runs like a well-oiled machine, but throw a wrench in the process and the whole thing can fail. In this report, I will explain the dynamics of forming a [family] group, various wrenches that get thrown in the mix, along with how to survive divorce and the effects it can have on your life.
By SM Fitzgerald8 years ago in Families
