Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
The Beginning
I found out we were expecting our second child on the first one's third birthday. I awoke that morning with tingling breasts and a sense of dread. Rolling over to my husband, I told him then even though it was 6 AM on a Sunday he needed to find a pregnancy test. So on a cold January morning, he drove to the nearest BP garage and asked the bored, gum chewing assistant to pass him a Clearblue from behind the counter. She must have thought him odd; a tattooed, long haired surfer-esque guy in tracksuit pants and a green t-shirt with holes in the sides (which I keep telling him to throw out) grinning from ear to ear as he thanks her and drives home with the precious cargo.
By Pillsandtea X8 years ago in Families
Talking to Children About Death
Death is a complex, incomprehensible topic. After the death of a loved one, people are often left with many unanswered questions: Why does this have to happen? What does it feel like to die? What happens to the body after death? Is there an afterlife? Although adults have general knowledge about death and the process that follows, they still do not have a full understanding. For children, it’s even more difficult to comprehend the topic when they don’t know what it means to die. They are aware of the concept because of its prevalence in television and movies, but they may not be able to translate that awareness to understanding in real life. Here you will find some ways to help explain and expose your child to the topic, as well as ways to help your child cope with the loss of a loved one.
By Alexis Rogers8 years ago in Families
Grooming
Grooming, for many it is a normal word, something we do to a pet. It has two definitions in the dictionary; 1. look after the coat of (a horse, dog, or other animal) by brushing and cleaning it 2. prepare or train (someone) for a particular purpose or activity. In an abusive relationship grooming is the second definition and it is a horrible thing. The abuser trains or prepares their victim for further abuse. It is done so subtly that often the victim does not even realize it is happening, nor do those around them.
By Janet Rhodes8 years ago in Families
On New Life
I remember waking to my mother’s screams, and believe it or not, it was not an unfamiliar sound. It was December 12th, 2005, in five hours my sister Sammie would be born. The third sister whose birth I would get to witness, and the one I would never forget. I had been waiting the past nine months for this moment and now it was finally here. The excitement shot me out of my bed like a tiny eight-year-old cannon. I sprinted to my older sister’s room, the sound of my feet slapping on the cold hardwood floor echoing in the hallway. I jumped up on her bed in hopes of being the one to wake her and share the news but she wasn’t there, I was disappointed with the realization she had woken up before me.
By Hanna Wingate8 years ago in Families
Shared Birthdays
Given that there are more than 7 billion people on the planet and only 365 (or 366) days in a year, it is clearly impossible for every person in the world to have a different birthday. Taking smaller groups (ie. groups whose members number fewer than 365), the chance of everyone having different birthdays would increase. It is simply a matter of odds.
By Sapphire Ravenclaw8 years ago in Families
Mommyhood Rants
I'm sure we all have had those days where we feel like we've had zero sleep and you're full zombie status. That is the boat I'm in today. My son does pretty well through the night. He just whines a bit but usually falls right back to sleep. However, with our super mommy powers we hear every noise they make regardless of how small it is and, at least for me, I jolt awake and have to check on him. I'm not one for crying it out, even though I do know that is some mother's preference. More power to you who can cross that bridge and conquer it! I am a bit envious but I still just don't have the heart to let my baby cry himself into exhaustion because even if I try to sleep through it, I hear EVERYTHING.
By Nicole Hallman8 years ago in Families
