Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
It Doesn't Get Easier
Blessings come in many ways. For me, one major blessing is that I was able to have my grandparents in my life into my forties. I know many people can’t say that. They say losing someone that you’re close to gets easier as time passes, but I don’t believe that to be true. Your life just changes. My blessing is having grandparents for as long as I did, and my three kids were able to make some memories with them.
By LR Hatfield8 years ago in Families
On Being a Runaway
Growing up, I lived a seemingly perfect life with a perfectly normal family. Everyone knew we were not high class, but definitely not low class either. We were religious, but in a respectful manner, not a pious one. All of my friends, as well as myself, were homeschooled and hung out just like "normal" 21st century American kids: playing games, calling each other names (that our parents would approve of... never cuss words), and getting into typical childish arguments (about God's vast, unpredictable universe and the meaning of His words in our manual, the Bible.) Everything was normal and great on the outside.
By Leia Martinez8 years ago in Families
I'm Naturally a Sh#$$y Mom
Every woman's dream is to get married and be financially secure enough to stay at home with their children and put their careers on hold until the kids reach school age. Being a stay-at-home mom is a full-time job without a paycheck. I guess you can't really put a price on being home to witness every little milestone your child reaches. Being a mother is a natural instinct we just have, right? WRONGGGGG!!! I might be the only one but I have to work very hard to be a good mom. It doesn't come natural to me. I love my kids, that's not what I'm implying at all, it's just I'm not naturally good at it.
By Karlee Demrow8 years ago in Families
Pesky Mother-in-law?
Mother-in-laws! Sometimes they are great and supportive, sometimes you get one that despises you. Unfortunately, I got the latter. I love my husband, but his mother is absolutely the thorn in my side. She is very judgmental, selfish, and opinionated. I am a young mother to a wonderful 22-month-old boy. I am also a full-time college student. I don't work right now because my husband and I both agreed that I should focus on my studies and our son. My mother-in-law hates that I stay home. She is one of those types of people that you can never please though. Right now, her argument is that if I stay home, we will miss out on the extra income. But if I went back to work she would hate the daycare I choose, or think I'm not spending enough time on my son.
By mommy time8 years ago in Families
Monsters and Me: Growing Up with Abuse
There are days that I forget the memories rattling around in my head are mine and not some bad movie I watched. It's hard for me to imagine that the scared little girl always looking for an exist was a key part of who I was. But then there are days that I feel myself returning to her, as if I never grew out of her shoes. On those days I find it hard to get out of bed and face my life now, the depression being an uphill battle I'm never 100% sure I want to win. Some days I'm in my room, singing along to whatever song I'm listening to on repeat for the next few days, huge smile on my face, as I dance like nothing in the world can touch me. Other days I'm hiding under a mound of blankets, not eating for days, crying at the memories that berate me. On those days I think of all the questions that were left unanswered to me. Why did he love the bottle more than he did me? How come my sister was perfect but I was nothing to him? Why hasn't he changed after the drinking stopped? Where did everything go so very very wrong?
By Lilli Behom8 years ago in Families
Until Next Time...
Are you with me? I don't see you anywhere. Where are you two? I come here every weekend to see if you two will be there, in the same spot, like last time. You two loved this place. One of you said it gave you time to think and to be with the one you loved. But you're not. I stop at the bridge, crying, watching my tears drop to the river. I miss the both of you so much, Grandpa and Grandma.
By Gayle Lebus8 years ago in Families
Mark
November 5, 2013 was the very last day my uncle took his last breath. Some may say, why just him? Why is he so much more important to you than your other uncles? Well...he was there. For a while just before his suicide, he and his deceiving wife had shown signs of committing this act. However, no one took warning. Not even I. This man was a very smart and clever man. He knew his way around just about anything, even after his stroke a few years prior. The only thing this man couldn't do was stay in one apartment for more than six months; he was always on the move. He was my favorite because he supported my dream in becoming a part of the military. He also taught me how to cook hamburgers the right way, LOL.
By Deborah Klinker8 years ago in Families
5 Tips to Getting Back Into a Routine
It's that time again. The holiday break is over and your kids have to make their way back to school. Secretly, you're ecstatic about this transition because you've had them in your face for the last two to four weeks. But that doesn't mean it will be a smooth transition.
By Samantha Reid8 years ago in Families
So You Want to Meet My Family?
So you want to meet my family? I'm not saying it's a bad idea I'm just saying you have to be really, really, really sure. You see there's a few things you need to know, and please don't hold this against me but I feel if you're not prepared you'll drown in the sea of hugs. Because there will be a lot of hugs.
By Lilli Behom8 years ago in Families
Picture Schedules and Our Family
I used to dread telling my son to do anything that required more than one or two step directions. Because he is autistic, has severe ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and a bunch of other acronyms, anything beyond a single direction is a fruitless effort.
By Keila Carvalho8 years ago in Families
