Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
My Parents Weren't Scholars
My parents were not scholars. They were not socialites. They were not bright, optimistic, souls with hope for their futures. They were, in fact, kids who grew up too soon with ugly pasts and sad, sad scars, not knowing how to function in a hapless world that moved too fast for their liking.
By Scotty French8 years ago in Families
Weathering Childhood Diseases
Beginning The Nightmare “We’re sorry, there’s nothing we can do and you’ll just have to slowly watch her die.” Words no parent ever wants to hear. Whether you’re pregnant and receiving a grim diagnosis for the sweet little peanut growing inside you, or a parent to a child of any age, navigating the path in front of you will be scary and uncertain. With hundreds and thousands of difference diseases that can potentially affect your child, it would be impossible to cover the specifics of any one condition.
By Nicole Blomerus8 years ago in Families
Saturdays with Mom
Our Saturday’s were always very regimented; even when I was a little girl. She would wake up every Saturday morning at 9 AM and make her way over to the coffee pot. She would grumble to herself and fumble with the coffee filters. We always bought Gevalia brand coffee, because it was bold but cheap. The coffee would slowly start brewing, and she would let out a sigh of relief. I think deep down my mother hated mornings more than she hated my father, but she acted like it didn’t bother her. She would then make her way over to the kitchen table where she would sit and crack the sliding glass door. No morning was complete without mom smoking a cigarette. She enjoyed smoking Marlboro Menthol Light Kings, those were her favorite. After her cigarette she would wash her hands and switch on the radio. It was not long before I too would wake up, and join her downstairs in the kitchen.
By Katherine Schaefer8 years ago in Families
I Pulled the Trigger at 9 Years Old
I'm trying to remember the time in my life when chaos first started. Ironically, this story connects to my life now in so many ways. If you read my profile bio, you already know I'm in love with a guy whose baby mama wants me gone. Yes, that's right. You didn't read it wrong. I definitely feel I should tell you about her but not right now. She deserves her own story.
By Haley Sweers8 years ago in Families
Pregnant Woman Failed by the System
I moved to my current city in March of 2016 with my husband and our dog. We started out by renting a small apartment on the top (attic) level of an old house. To get in or out of the place meant climbing 3 flights of stairs. With a dog and no backyard, that meant doing so sometimes upwards of 10 times per day or more.
By Miranda Davey8 years ago in Families
A Letter to a Bad Mother
You were neglectful and abusive from even my most early of memories. You were too young to have children. You had already had one and given her up for adoption. You had an abortion in between that child and myself. You were too young and dumb to know what was good for you, or me.
By Courtney Boulay8 years ago in Families
Yes, I Am a Teen Mom
I want you to take a moment to think about the words 'teen mom'. What do you see? Is it Juno, in her skirt-jeans combo? Or Farrah, Maci, and Amber as background noise as you scroll through your phone? Maybe there's even a family member you think of.
By Kindle Fyre8 years ago in Families
A Light In the Dark
Dear Naomi, When you were born, I felt the entire universe change and things started to align, I felt myself change. I was no longer just a normal person living her everyday life, just another number on a paper or screen. Suddenly, I was Aunt Britt, the person who would spoil you rotten and give you everything your parents said you couldn't have. I was the person you would go to when you couldn't tell anyone else your secrets without judgement, or the person you turned to when you had no one else. I was going to be the person that made you laugh until you cried, I would wipe away any tears you shed, happy or unhappy. I would make you smile and feel safe and I would make you feel important. I would do all of that and then some, because at that time in my life, no one was doing any of that for me.
By Brittney Heath8 years ago in Families
8 Things That Are Awesome About Pregnancy
Pregnancy is an awesome experience that is short and can go really quick if you just roll with it. There are many things that people tell you about, but there are many things that you will discover as you allow your body to change.
By Regina Stone-Grover8 years ago in Families
What to Know About Potty Training While Traveling
There is no need to get worried if you are in the process of going on a long trip with your child while trying to have them potty trained. These tips will be your best friend if you have a young child and are nervous about them having an accident or refusing to use a public bathroom.
By Jessica Herring8 years ago in Families
When a Loved One Passes Away
It is stated in nursing homes that when it rains, the residents pass in three's. I know this all too well as I worked in Nursing Homes as a CNA. My heart always went out the the families of those who felt it was their time to go. Over time, while working with said residents, I had the pleasure of not only assisting them on a daily basis but also formed a friendship with them. When it rained and I watched as my new friends take their last breath; I felt myself overcome with sadness. Although I knew my job was never done as I had other residents to care for, but it was the loss of not being able to walk into a room and bid someone good morning or walk with them down the hall to the dining room having a short conversation as to how their night might have been.
By Kate Adams8 years ago in Families
