Top Stories
Stories in Families that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
The Battle Between the 'Taken,' the 'Protected,' and the 'Lost'
As I have begun an intended and unintended journey, the road is paved with potholes, sinkholes and wet cement. I was a missing child, as a result of running away from an abusive home. I share my personal story to raise awareness; awareness that runaways are not belligerent children, we aren’t drug addicts, we aren’t rebellious—we are children who have been abused either physically, sexually, and/or mentally.
By Marnie Grundman8 years ago in Families
Bilingual Prejudice
When my first daughter was born in July of 2010, there was never any question that we were going to raise her to be bilingual. My wife is from Lima, Peru, and though we decided to reside in the United States, we agreed that the Peruvian half of our child’s heritage would have an equal place in our home and family. Having met my wife when I lived in Lima, I’d grown accustomed to speaking with her in Spanish. We welcomed our second daughter in 2012, and have continued to be a Spanish speaking household. However what is “normal” for us is not the norm of the United States, and soon we discovered that what we perceived to be an advantage, would also bring its share of challenges to our children.
By Walter Rhein8 years ago in Families
Loss
My grandmother was the center of my family. She was like my second mother. She always seem to know the answer to any question that Alex Trebec throw out. She chain smoked while doing the cross word, and almost always drinking coffee. I spent summers, winters, and time after school, with her. She was a legend in my mind. I thought that she would never leave us. That somehow, she was going to out last us all.
By Kasey Renee8 years ago in Families
Things You Should Never Ask a Postpartum Mom
People think that they know everything about a pregnancy, whether it be because they have their own children, or just from second-hand experiences. However, this does not mean that you know exactly what to say to a postpartum mom. And most likely, the questions you have to spark conversations are ones that you should never ask a postpartum mom.
By Sherry Campbell8 years ago in Families
The Voice of a Child
I am a firm believer in not bubble wrapping my future children. This includes teaching them how to deal with a scraped knee following a natural consequence, to dealing with rude kids at the park, and even the concept of losing at a family or school activity. Now, notice as I said the word “future” children, making it pretty clear that I am not a parent yet. I am six weeks away from being one, and parenting is all I think about. Though no one has yet to call me “mum,” I have worked with children for close to a decade. Yes, I am aware that working with children is not the same as having my own, a fact that many parents have informed me of. However, I do believe that, through the school system, or child minding, or educational therapy, I have picked up a thing or two. I will never compare myself to a seasoned parent, one who juggles one, two, three, four or more children all the while running a house, working, being self-employed, starting up a business, going back to school, renovating a house, being a single parent, having a child with special needs, or any of the other countless things those superhero parents manage to do.
By Adrienne Amy8 years ago in Families
A Hard Rain
We heard the news. On this night, my mother was in Los Angeles at a “quit smoking” resort (she still smokes.) My brother, Franz, had come to join us. Pointer, our family friend, also decided to enjoy an evening of wine and debauchery. We had two dogs, Rosy and Wahoo, a German Shepard and a Golden-Retriever respectively. My father was there too, of course. He owned the house, after all. It was a lovely two-story home in Old Metairie, an affluent neighborhood. We spent the majority of the evening watching television, and I had fallen asleep on the couch.
By Layne Radlauer8 years ago in Families
4 Things I Wish I Knew About Becoming a Mom
Being a mom is the best feeling in the world. You get these beautiful creatures and wonder how you got so lucky. Of course you'd do anything for them and all that mushy, sweet stuff everyone always says. But what about the other stuff? The not so sweet things aren't always talked about. Especially in my case. Here's 4 things I wish I would have known to better prepare myself for being a mother.
By Rachel Mcmichael8 years ago in Families
5 Things I Have Learned About Being a Stay at Home Parent
Parents all around the world stay at home to take care of their children. Whether it's a decision made by both parents or just as a result of wanting to be home with the kids. Stay at home parents don't get the credit they should from most people. Staying home to raise a family is hard. It's a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week job. I say job because...it definitely is a job. You are on a round-the-clock schedule; wake up, make sure the kids eat, clean, dishes, play and bonding time, clean, lunch, clean, educational time, make sure kids don't have tantrums over silly things, make sure they are safe, dinner, clean, baths, clean, get them to bed and clean some more. We do it every day. All day. It's a repeating cycle that continues even after they are in school. Raising tiny humans is hard. You put them first, above all else. Here are 5 things I have learned from being a stay at home parent:
By Kayla Hilliard8 years ago in Families
8 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Teenagers and Young Adults
Christmas is that time of year where most people stress about what to get their children. Sometimes their child is picky. Sometimes they already have everything that they could want. But when it comes to teenagers and young adults, buying Christmas gifts can seem like an impossible task.
By Samantha Reid8 years ago in Families
