children

Children: Our most valuable natural resource.

Am I Ready to Become a Mom? Have I Done Everything That I Have Wanted to Do? Have I Become the Person That I Think I Should Be?
I was 23-years-old when I became a mom in December of 2000. I was not ready and I knew that. However, I loved this little guy more than anything. I was the most terrified that I have ever been. From the contractions, (by the way, I had no idea what they were supposed to feel like), to the labor, when I heard the woman in the next room screaming bloody murder, to the emergency c-section that needed to be performed, IMMEDIATELY!
By Susan Nelson8 years ago in Families
Separation Anxiety in Young Children
In recent months, many citizens of the United States have voiced concern for the implementation of the immigration policy and the effects that the policy has on the children involved. Since April, it is estimated 2,300 children of illegal immigrants have been displaced and placed in custody. These children are fearful and have been traumatized by the experience. They have been uprooted from the safety and security that they have known. The immigration policy or no tolerance policy can possibly have a long-term effect on these young children.
By Clara Harrison8 years ago in Families
Do You Really Have to Grow Up?
On Saturday I attended my four-year-old daughter Ava’s preschool graduation. Ava is my third and final child. My third to go through and graduate from preschool; my third to grow up. Ava is the baby of the family, but in reality, she has not been a baby for a long time. No matter how much I sometimes wish she still was.
By Amanda Brock8 years ago in Families
Living with & Loving a Sick Child
Most would-be parents wish for a baby who is “healthy and happy.” Fortunately for most parents, that happens. For some parents, however, the baby may be happy but not healthy. Living with a child with a chronic illness can challenge a family’s patience and resources. As the parent of a 13-year-old who has been ill since his toddler days, let me offer you these 5 tips for caregiving for a chronically ill child.
By Brandi Brown8 years ago in Families
Entry #2: Relationship with My Mother??? It's Complicated
"Kailyn's chewing her rubber bracelet, again. She's going to swallow it and choke one of these times," my mother says as we walk down the street towards a restaurant.
By Kimberly Nicholls8 years ago in Families
Father
"If you dont have time, make time" My father was, is, the driving force behind my identity. And he was not a good father. By no means was he a decent father. But he was my father. And I love him, regardless of his flaws. Regardless of mine.
By Luis Tomas Graveley Jr8 years ago in Families
Praying for Strength
Let’s start with the beginning, which always seems like a good place to begin. My memories are fuzzy when it comes to life before 5 years old, but I can remember those 5 years as being happy, with good feelings and the excitement of my first sister’s birth.
By Kat Leeshue8 years ago in Families
I Blame My Childhood
I blame my childhood This is the reason so many present for the addiction, affliction, or damage they have to their character.
By Jacky Montgomery8 years ago in Families
Boymom
I am a boy mom. I have a boy who is 23, a son of 15, and a Grandson of 16 months. So for 23 years, I have been a boy mom. I have fixed enough food to feed a small county, fried enough chicken to hang with Kentucky Fried Chicken, grilled enough steak to get a medal at the Sizzler, and cooked enough frozen pizza to own stock in Totinos. Yes, I am the lady at the grocery store that no one wants to be behind. You smile but don’t make eye contact as you skim the contents of my buggy. Nope, not getting behind the grocery hoarder lady so just move on. Surely that woman is shopping for a month. Nope, just a week at the house of empty vessels. Where food goes down a never ending tube of teen boys to never be seen again. Nope, I will never be seen in the ten items or less line, nor in the self check lane. Big box stores are my friend as well as the SUV I drive to track it all home. I tried about a year ago to go the small car route. I could only have one other person with me if I was getting groceries and because my son is an athlete, I was getting a greasy ugly stain above my window where his head would hit when I turned and his sweaty hair brushed up against it after practice. Can you say Gross!? What’s on you car roof? Just sweaty nastiness from my son's head. Super fun to explain to friends who happen to be in my car. Oh, boymom fun let me tell ya.
By K. jones8 years ago in Families
A Day in the Life
It's 6:30 AM and you're woken up by an obnoxious alarm. You wait for the snoring mass beside you to get up and turn it off. It is his alarm clock after all. As you lay there praying the smaller snoring mass, who crawled into your bed at some point in the night, doesn't wake up, you feel the bed shift and the blaring noise stop. You can relax, she didn't wake up. You feel yourself drifting back to sleep to the sounds of your husband getting ready for work.
By Hannah Fricker8 years ago in Families
Postpartum Depression
It can happen to anyone, whether you're a first time mom or on your third child. It's not fun and it's one of the worst feelings a woman can go through—in my opinion, at least. Postpartum depression—for those of you who don't know what PPD is, let me tell you: the definition on Google—is "depression suffered by a mother following childbirth, typically arising from the combination of hormonal changes, psychological adjustment to motherhood, and fatigue." And for the most part, this is absolutely accurate. PPD is one of the worst all time lows I've ever experienced in my life. At least so far as I'm only 20. My name is Alicia and I'm here to tell you my story and what I went through, and let me tell you, if you are pregnant and reading this thinking, oh that will never happen to me, or it can't be that bad, you are wrong. I thought so before I had my daughter. I never thought that I would be a victim to PPD. I thought when I had my daughter I was going to be so lively as I just gave birth to my very first beautiful baby girl. But as all people, I was wrong. So wrong. Here is my story. And I hope this helps with whatever you're looking for.
By Alicia Hogue8 years ago in Families
Ways to De-Stress Your Toddler
Toddlers are just as prone to stress as adults, but the younger the child is, the less they are going to understand what is going on. Which will probably make them even more stressed out, and that is just the beginning of a very long day for everyone.
By Melanie Ma8 years ago in Families