Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
An Open Letter to My Mother
I want to start by saying I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that, throughout my childhood, I took you for granted. I took you being there for granted. You were, and still are, the best mother a girl could have. You taught me how to cook, how to live, and defend myself.
By Destinee Howard8 years ago in Families
Who to Blame
I grew up with my grandparents as my parents. My mom wanted to only be a part-time parent and my dad got sent to jail when I was four. So rather than force my mother to be a mother, my grandmother just took me in. My childhood was a very gifted childhood...materialistically. But emotionally, it wasn't the best. Grandma and grandpa did their best, knowing mom wasn't the best person, nor was she fit; they did everything in their power to keep me happy. I went to good schools, I had good clothing, I had no needs unmet; but what I didn't have was my mom.
By Cassandra Tapia8 years ago in Families
They Only Come with a Placenta
Have ever noticed a mother? What they do, how they all do it differently? You know, none of us know how we got there, or how our minds triggered the words "quick, breast out, or fill a bottle with formula" the moment—the literal moment you have that child. Your body is telling you a million things. But you never knew this stuff? Well only the basics like breasts do have milk and can feed an infant, but how? Did you know every breast has its individual way of being held to feed a newborn child, and every child needs to be held a specific way to be fed, too?! What about the pinky hook? Take a guess...it's to stop them latching so your nipple doesn't fall off.
By Happy to Love8 years ago in Families
The Beginning
When we were kids, we couldn't wait to grow up. To turn 16 and get our license. To graduate school and go to college, or get a job and move out on our own. We believed when we were kids by the time we were an adult we would have it all figured out. We would know what we want and where we were going and if we were lucky to share it with someone. To have them share their life with us as we grow up together. Sometimes, we aren't so lucky, though.
By Shyann Katz8 years ago in Families
Take or Toss
I will admit it. I was that mom—you know the one—the one who is searching frantically at 3 AM while baby is awake and will not go down. So many products come up from the google search, and everyone insists you need their product that it will be a miracle worker. I bought it all. Packages arrived daily and I ripped into them, certain it was the fix to the bags under my eyes and the dragging of my feet.
By Tiffany Williams8 years ago in Families
Life with a Famous Sibling
I can guarantee the first thought going through your mind after reading the title of this story is, "who is the famous person?" Now, I am not going to blow your mind and say my sister is Miley Cyrus or my brother is Ashton Kutcher. But in fact, my brother is Nathan from the band Hippo Campus. Never heard of them?
By KenzieJane Berry8 years ago in Families
Funerals
When my daddy died, my mom was so sick from chemo we had to put off his funeral. The plan was to have a viewing, funeral, then have him cremated. Instead, he was cremated the day after he passed. I am ok with not having the viewing. My last memory of my dad, while isn't the most ideal, it was of him alive. He talked about being baptized in the South China Sea, how he was excited to see his own father when he passed, and just how much he loved me. He was weak, sick and in pain but, he was alive and able to talk.
By Keleigh Kilgore8 years ago in Families
The Crazy Kid
I have read many accounts of family therapy; therapy that is initiated because a member of that family is crazy, and the others are concerned and frustrated. In some accounts, the rest of the family seem to be functioning normally, and appear successful, with the exception of this blip. They go to therapy to solve the problem of the crazy kid. In these accounts, it often transpires, that the family are scapegoating the child in some way or other, because it is easier than struggling with their own difficult feelings, their own craziness. It turns out that the ones who thought themselves the most normal, were the ones who were least in touch with their feeling-self; their under-functioning-self, and most in need of a good open, honest chat with a therapist.
By Ricky McQuillan8 years ago in Families
Forever Our Children
Children are our future, our legacy in which we shape with our words, actions, example and presence. It is not an easy job for any parent trying to do the best we can for them and there seems to be no one way or guide book to how we should do these things—if there were I could imagine it being only slightly easier to understand than a Ikea manual.
By Shamus Roan8 years ago in Families
