parents

The boundless love a parent has for their child is matched only by their capacity to embarrass them.

Fathers
Fathers always leave their mark on their children. A father may easily underestimate their importance in the lives of their children, especially during the first few years of their lives, when the child is naturally more drawn to the mother for food and comfort.
By Sonica M7 years ago in Families
Father Daughter
Happy Father’s Day to the man who created me. The man half responsible for my existence. Even though you weren’t there during my upbringing, you shaped my life in many ways.
By Tristan Langford7 years ago in Families
Moded AF
Being an 80s baby always made me feel special, it was just a good time to be born. June of 1985 to be specific. In my younger years, I remember being a happy kid. One of my favorite things, 'til this day is singing. One of my earliest memories had to be when I was five years old. My mother (Doris), would connect the microphone to the radio and she would record us singing on a cassette tape. We would sing songs from the O'Jays, Debra & Ronnie Laws, and other artists. As I got older, I would go on to sing in the choir at the church I grew up in, New Hope Baptist. It's a popular church if you grew up on the east side of Long Beach. That's where I met a few of my childhood friends... that grew to be family, sort of. I would sing as if there was nothing holding me back. As a child you don't know the social constraints, like the wrong or right way to sing. You just did it cause you were told to do so. I liked the attention, early on. I didn't know it then but singing and music would grow to be my outlet and one of the only things that would keep me sane.
By Dee Good7 years ago in Families
You're Allowed to Be "Selfish"
You would do anything for your child. I see you, mamma. I see you give up precious moments of sleep and alone time to calm your crying baby. You see your child as the most prized possession, and how lucky that child is to have you cheering them on. I know you would give every ounce of your physical, mental, and emotional strength for the little people who calls you mommy. The thing is, you don’t have to. Honestly, it’s probably best if you didn’t. They need you to have all your strength. They need you to take care of you so that you can take care of them. Here are some ways you could be better at caring for your own needs.
By Rebecca Hale7 years ago in Families
The Love of a Daughter
When I was younger, my mom was a single mom for a long time. My biological father was (is?) a drug addict, and I haven't seen him since I was 12. I was adopted by my sister's dad and years later I was told how my biological father never showed up to court to fight for his custodial rights. I didn't really deal with the feelings of abandonment that left me with, and as I do with all my other negative emotions, I suppressed them. I pretended like they didn't exist. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my son and working at a rehabilitation facility that it started eating at me. Why didn't he want to get better for me? I loved my baby so much I would never even think of leaving him, and yet my father chose drugs over me. He didn't try to get better for me, he didn't fight, and above all he didn't want me. I think this is part of the reason I appreciated my dad (adoptive) so much. No one is perfect, but at least he was around. At least he tried. Which was much more than I can say for my biological father. Now that I have my son I realize how hard it must've been for my mom. She had not one but three kids to take care of and she made it happen. My mom worked a lot when I was growing up, and as a child I didn't understand why she wasn't around much. Now I know that she was trying to make ends meet.
By Clarissa Wallace7 years ago in Families
Getting Ready for Family Pictures: What You Should Know
Getting ready for family portraits can be a lot more work than people would imagine. First, most portraits demand a clean look. Second, you will need to decide what kind of background or scenery you want. Third, you will need to decide whether you want to use props. If you have children, you will probably want to decide whether to let them include a favorite toy. If you have pets, you will also need to decide whether to include them, and how you will want to present them.
By Sasha McGregor7 years ago in Families
Values for Living Together as a Family
We parents have the responsibility to transmit values to our children, in many cases we transmit only those that we have learned and practiced more regularly in our lives, but there are some values that can not be missing in the family life, if you have not developed and have not put them into practice, give the opportunity to your children to learn and make it part of their day to day.
By creatorsklub7 years ago in Families
How Am I Responsible for Two People's Emotions, Including My Own?
My family has been the most important part of my life. I love them endlessly and unconditionally. I want them to be proud of me, and I want them to want me to be happy. I want a relationship with them; a healthy one. Recently, I am starting to think and see that with the history that we have, it may not be possible. This is more heartbreaking than a breakup.
By Aimes Israel7 years ago in Families
10 Parenting Myths Debunked
Parenthood often has its fair share of trials and tribulations. After all, there's no manual that comes with babies, which means that we all have to just learn as we go along. However, if there was a manual, these parenting 'rules' certainly wouldn't be in it (because they're all completely untrue).
By Steven Walker7 years ago in Families
Self Care and Self Love
Here I stand, guilty. Guilty of not taking care of myself. Guilty of forgetting that I matter to a fair amount of people and it's not fair that I have neglected my self care and even more-so, forgotten how to love myself. Over the passed few years I have completely neglected me, myself, and I. I pinpoint it all to being a single mother. Since I have said that I blame me becoming a mother I might get some backlash, but I sure hope this reaches a fellow mother or even a father who has ever felt the way I feel. Who has ever forgotten about themselves in the chaos of raising a tiny human and raising them alone. I hope that this shows people that they are not alone. They are not the only people guilty of self neglect and self abandonment. I have recently come to a realization that I may be a good mom (or so people tell me), but I could be an even better mom if I take care of myself.
By Kenzie Lane Stapleton7 years ago in Families
Bonus Parents, Because They Are Not “Step” Anymore
Mommy, you’re such an amazing woman of God. You’re a beautiful soul who loves everyone and everything. You see the good in people, even when they are the worst. You love with all your heart and nothing less. You are strong, courageous, and powerful. I love you.
By Emily Zimmerman7 years ago in Families
A Prayer for Happiness: Five Things to Tell Your Adult Children
As any parent will tell you, watching your kids grow up is, at once, the most wonderful and most difficult thing in the world. On the one hand, you get the sheer joy and amazement of experiencing your children develop their own personalities, seek out their own passions, and discover their own path in life. On the other… well, feeling them gradually move away from you, gradually becoming less dependent, and gradually turning their back on your home is something which most parents find really, really tough—even if they understand completely that in order for them to become well-rounded and happy adults, it’s all just par for the course.
By Jilian Woods7 years ago in Families