extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

The witch who came knocking
There once was a little southern gal named Shelly who had big brown eyes and a shy smile. She lived with her Mother, big brother, and her younger half brother In a small studio apartment.
By Wendy Hewett6 months ago in Families
FDA Recalls Butter: What Happened and Which Brands Are Affected
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) helps keep our food safe. When a product might be harmful, the FDA can ask companies to remove it from stores. This process is called a recall. Recently, some butter products were recalled because they may cause illness. In this article, we will explain why the butter was recalled, which brands are affected, how to check your butter at home, and what actions you should take. Knowing this information can help protect your health and your family.
By Shahzaib6 months ago in Families
Why Saying “I Love You” Isn’t Enough Anymore
We grew up hearing that saying “I love you” was the most important thing in any relationship. Movies made it the dramatic climax, books turned it into a plot twist, and society treated it like the ultimate milestone.
By Irfan Ali6 months ago in Families
UK Spouse Visa Guide 2025: Requirements, Process, and Expert Tips for a Successful Application
Applying for a UK spouse visa can feel overwhelming, but understanding the current rules and having a clear plan makes the difference between success and rejection. This comprehensive UK Spouse Visa Guide 2025 breaks down everything you need to know about the requirements, walks you through the process step by step, and shares practical expert tips that immigration lawyers use to help their clients achieve a successful application.
By Amir Husen6 months ago in Families
"The Journey to My Cultural Heritage"
INTRODUCTION Growing up, I never really knew much about my cultural heritage. My family was a mix of different cultures, and we didn't really talk about our roots. But as I got older, I started to feel a sense of disconnection from my heritage. I didn't know where I came from, and I didn't know how to celebrate my cultural identity.
By M.Changer6 months ago in Families
Tragedy on the Trail: Arkansas Couple Murdered While Hiking with Daughters
It was meant to be a peaceful family outing, a chance to enjoy nature and spend time together. But what should have been a joyful hike through the scenic Ozark Mountains in Arkansas turned into a tragedy that has shocked the entire nation. A husband and wife were senselessly murdered in front of their two young daughters, leaving behind a grieving family and an outraged community.
By DigitalAddi6 months ago in Families
"The Gift of Love". Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Love is the most powerful and universal gift we can offer and receive. It transcends time, language, and distance. Whether it's the gentle touch of a mother, the loyalty of a friend, the sacrifice of a parent, or the compassion of a stranger, love is what connects us all. It is not bound by wealth, status, or even words — it is felt deeply, given freely, and remembered forever.
By Najeeb Scholer6 months ago in Families
The Lemon Tree Theory
We had a lemon tree in our backyard that somehow survived every drought, dog, and misguided game of tag. It was crooked, scarred, and only bore fruit if you ignored it completely. Dad said it was “like the rest of us—thrived under chaos.”
By Muhammad Rahim 6 months ago in Families
Lyme Disease 2025: Symptoms, Causes, and Latest Health Updates
Lyme disease is a growing health concern in many countries, especially in North America and Europe. As of 2025, more people are learning about this disease due to a rise in cases and increased awareness. Lyme disease can affect both children and adults, and it often starts with symptoms that seem minor but can turn serious if not treated in time.
By Shahzaib6 months ago in Families
What It's Like to Be the "Black Sheep" of the Family
There’s an unspoken understanding in every family: the roles we play. Some are the peacemakers, others are the overachievers, and then there’s always that one person—the ‘black sheep.’ Growing up, I never understood what made me the “odd one out.” My siblings seemed to follow the path laid out for us, quietly fitting into the mold my parents had crafted for us, while I constantly felt like I was drifting further away from it.
By Vivids 💖6 months ago in Families
Chosen Families: When Support Networks Step In Where Blood Relatives Cannot
Biologists describe kinship as a matter of shared DNA, yet lived experience often writes a different definition of “family.” Across cultures and generations, people have turned to friends, neighbors, mentors, colleagues, and even online communities to fill emotional or practical roles that biology left vacant. These chosen families form when birth ties are distant, strained, or simply unable to meet evolving needs. Their significance has grown more visible as mobility, diverse household structures, and changing social norms reshape who lives under the same roof—and whom we trust with life’s hardest moments.
By Alexander Sebastian 6 months ago in Families
"In Motherhood, You Lose Yourself… Only to Find Someone Stronger". Content Warning. AI-Generated.
Motherhood is not just about diapers, sleepless nights, or drawings on the walls. It’s much more than that. It is a silent, deep, and sometimes lonely transformation that no one fully explains to you. Being a mother is about giving up parts of yourself: your time, your body, your space, your peace... and still feeling like it’s not enough. Because sometimes, it seems like nothing will ever be enough, even when you give everything with love. What is rarely said out loud is how hard it can be. No one talks about how your identity changes, how one day you look in the mirror and no longer recognize the woman reflected back at you. Your body is not the same, your time is no longer yours, and the routines that once defined you vanish between bottles, scattered toys, and endless laundry. Silence, once unnoticed, now feels like a luxury, something you long for. And when you finally get a few minutes alone, guilt shows up. The guilt that makes you feel bad for wanting a break, as if taking a moment for yourself were selfish. As if thinking about your well-being meant you loved your children any less. But it doesn’t. Needing a break doesn’t make you less of a mother; it makes you human. However, amid all that chaos, something incredible is born: a new version of you. A version you didn’t know existed. A stronger, more sensitive, more intuitive woman. A woman who, even in exhaustion, pain, or fear, finds ways to keep going. Because the love for your child is so deep that it pulls strength from within you that you didn’t know you had. You learn to get up without sleep, to smile while feeling drained, to nurture even when you yourself need care. Being a mom means loving with fear, with doubts, with fatigue, and with tenderness. It means crying in silence while holding everything together. Smiling when you feel broken inside. Moving forward when you feel like you can’t anymore. Because that little person who calls you "mom" depends on you. You are their home, their comfort, their everything. Motherhood doesn’t make you perfect. It makes you real. It confronts you with both your shadows and your light. It pushes you to your limits but also shows you that you can go beyond them. It teaches you to surrender when needed, but also to resist when things feel impossible. It’s a journey that transforms your body, your mind, and your soul. And yes, many times, you lose yourself a little. You get lost in repetitive routines, endless tasks, and responsibilities that never seem to end. But you also find yourself again different. More aware. Deeper. More human. You discover beauty in the imperfect, in the chaos, in the everyday. You learn that you don’t need to have everything under control to be a good mother. That making mistakes also teaches. That being vulnerable doesn’t make you weak; it connects you to other women going through the same. Motherhood is not a straight road. There are good days, gray days, dark days, and days full of light. There are moments of doubt, fear, and frustration, but also pure love, unexpected tenderness, and deep connection. Like that spontaneous laugh, that hug for no reason, that look that says everything without words. Moments that remind you why everything else is worth it. Today, I write this for you, mom, the one who sometimes feels invisible, tired, or not enough. To remind you that you’re doing a great job. That your love and your effort matter, even when no one sees them. That you are not alone. That it’s okay to feel, to cry, to doubt, and also to laugh out loud. That it’s okay to take a break. That being yourself, with everything that means, is more than enough. 💬 Did you also feel like you lost a part of yourself when you became a mom? I’d love to hear your story or thoughts. Because sharing is also healing. And together, we remind each other that we’re still here… blooming. 🌷
By BC256 months ago in Families