Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

7 Things My Family Taught Me To Love About Autumn
The First Day of School — The temperature begins to change and there is a sense of something new on the way. The colder air makes the senses sharper and more alert. It is like a jolt to the system as we walk down the street to get the mail or start the car in the morning before work. It becomes clear that the sweltering heat of summer has passed and something new has begun. School is beginning once again. It is a fresh start.
By Jessica L8 years ago in Families
Our Autism Journey
I knew instantly that I was expecting my second baby owing to the fact my sense of smell was heightened beyond belief! I was convinced, just like with my first pregnancy that people were not using potpourri but savoury rice to fragrance their homes!
By Louise Lacy8 years ago in Families
Statistic in the System
I'm sitting here thinking where I could possibly begin this and, I'm realizing that you are 19 hours from here in a shared house with your soon-to-be in laws-probably sleeping with your girlfriend and current mother of your one and a half kids. While I've spent hours, and hours feeling depressed and saddened by your poor choices in fatherhood for the child you and I share. I blamed myself for a very long time, and sometimes I still do. How could I have been so wrong? What did I do to push you away? How am I going to explain this to my daughter?
By Rebecca Lynn8 years ago in Families
How to Be Thankful
Somewhere between my ups and my downs I learned a valuable lesson. I learned that even when I fell on my face, even when I had nothing left to give, I had the power to bring myself up.
By Rachelle Cramer8 years ago in Families
Is Your Child Being Bullied?
Before I talk about this subject I want to clear the air. Fact: Everyone experiences bullying at one point or another in their lives. Everyone. It might come from a teacher, classmates, a sports coach, a family member. It happens. Bullying is part of human society.
By Jude Goodwin8 years ago in Families
Why You Should Call your Mom, Not Text Her
Being a sophomore in college, I have had to do my laundry by myself for the past year and a half, yet I still call my mom to ask if my black and white striped shirt from Urban Outfitters goes into the lights or the darks. I didn't realize how much I needed my mom in my life until spring semester finals week when I was trudging through the pouring rain at 7:30am to go take my finite final. Needless to say, I fell into a puddle of rain water and took my final with the same puddles in my tennis shoes, socks sopping wet. I called her and cried because A. I was on my way to take a test I was not prepared for, and B. She would know what to do. Being a teacher, my mom has always been a problem solver and ready to act in a moments notice if something went wrong. She may seem like a Debbie Downer sometimes, but in reality she just prepares for the worst, but expects the best.
By Layne Sermersheim8 years ago in Families
My Mother is a Toxic Person: Part 1
My mother is a very raw and emotional subject for me. She is the source of most of my problems in my life, but I feel like if I am going to be honest about everything, it had better be here.
By Iris8 years ago in Families
Sisters
My parents got divorced when I was 18 months old so I never met my real father until I was about 30 years old. My step dad raised me and I have always considered him my dad now and til I die. However, I did have 3 sisters out in this world that I had never met until I was 30 also. You see to meet them, I had to meet him... so the search for my biological father began. It didn't take long to track him down either. He basically lived 2 counties over and it wasn't that I was so interested in him as I was in meeting my sisters. My father Calvin had 4 daughters all by different mothers, my mother being his 3rd wife. My sister Beverly is the oldest, then Renee, me, and then there is a 4th named Brandy but we have never met her and not sure if she knows or wants to know who her biological father is and that is how we have left it. Maybe someday she will find out the truth or doesn't care one way or another and that's fine too. But for me I needed to know my siblings and that I did.
By Vanessa Hampton8 years ago in Families
Tale of a Mother-In-Law
The first time I met my future mother-in-law, I was not yet married to her son, Bob, and I knew if she had anything to do with it, I never would be married to Bob.
By Denise Willis8 years ago in Families
Watching a Parent Struggle
I used to think the worst thing that could happen in life would be the death of a loved one. Having someone you loved so dearly ripped from your life unexpectedly. So quick you don’t even get a chance to say goodbye or one more I love you.
By Brittney Heath8 years ago in Families
Life Through a Different Window
Having two children before the age of 21 was never the plan, but a great shift in life regardless. Raising these little humans hasn't been easy and even though there are times when pulling my hair out seems like a great idea, I wouldn't change this life for anything. Just when I thought having not one, but TWO kids was hard enough, the news of my oldest child being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder turned my world upside down.
By Cait Nichole8 years ago in Families
I Ran Away...
Not long ago, I used to live in Texas with my mother and my step-father and their four kids. I grew up to learn to not be ungrateful and love everything you have, cause there are people in the world that don't have anything; but I took in too much hurt and pain to stay.
By Tiinka8 years ago in Families