Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Me First, Momma After
This is pretty self-explanatory and something I’ve struggled with since my first child was born. I brought my daughter into this world when I was 21 years old. I was young, I was in a failing relationship, and I honestly had no idea who I was. I hadn’t yet begun to discover the things that made up my character, and I was still emotionally struggling from demons that I couldn’t leave in the past. My priorities were work, how much beer I had in my fridge, and what my plans were for the coming weekend. The second the doctors laied my daughter on my chest, everything for me changed. All of my priorities shifted and everything that I had ever cared about emptied itself from my mind. She became all that I knew and literally my only concern. I didn’t know it yet, but that was mother's instinct and I completely consumed myself in it. My daughter is almost three years old, and I didn’t start to discover that I was doing this all wrong until just this past year.
By Ashleigh Corriveau8 years ago in Families
The Ultimate Potty Training Guide for Girls
As any overwhelmed, bloodshot eyed parent can attest to, potty training can be a messy ordeal. There's a sea of opinions and expertise out there preaching when your baby girl should begin potty training and how to potty train them. Keep calm parental units--you won't need to hold your child's hand in this forever. Deep breaths and here are some tricks to help you maintain your sanity and give your daughter the confidence to use the potty like a wiz-ard.
By Ellen Hornberger8 years ago in Families
Born with Ulnar Longitudinal Deficiency—Extremely Rare!
To all that may read this.. This is about my child's journey who was born with an EXTREMELY RARE disability called Ulnar Longitudinal Deficiency or Ulnar Clubhand.
By Carolyn LnDn8 years ago in Families
The Sound of Shattering Glass
My problems all started on the day that I found him dead. My then-girlfriend and I came home from vacation. We were up with friends in northern Minnesota, drinking and smoking a weekend away. We arrived to find my father and three of his friends hanging out, having just finished their fantasy draft. We all exchanged pleasantries. Lady and I went to bring our things downstairs into my basement. I recall the last exchange my dad and I would ever have, him grousing about a computer mouse he felt I had misplaced. I snapped back about how I had been gone that whole weekend and wouldn't know where the fuck it is. Me being tired from a long weekend and my pop being drunk and baked himself, I gave the terse nature of the conversation no further thought, at least at the time.
By Mathew Beconovich8 years ago in Families
Living With or Without Parents
First of all let me explain a few things. I was born to 2 kids. My dad was 20 years old & my mother was 16 and month shy of being 17. Babies raising babies.
By Donna Gonzales8 years ago in Families
Family Man
As a child, this man had a soft soul. He spread his talents around with his dedication to love and hard work. This boy had a soft heart and shared his happiness as much as he could. No matter what he went through, his love kept him strong and moving forward. This man I had the privilege to call my dad.
By Sierra Costanzo8 years ago in Families
7 Free Things To Do For Halloween
Halloween is coming up and you want to do something fun, but you also want to save money. Don't worry I know what it is like when it seems like every holiday cost so much money. I know how you can save money and still spend quality time with your family. Here are 7 things to do for free for this Halloween.
By Megan Hendricks8 years ago in Families
Mother of the Year
Have you ever met that one person that you absolutely cringe at the sound of their name..? Well to me that person is my mother.
By Madeline O'Neill8 years ago in Families
Ever Wonder What Infertility Feels Like?
As I sit here thinking, wondering, pondering about what I should write, I'll be honest I'm not sure where to start, but I want to talk about something close to my heart. Something that some people take for granted. Some look at it like a burden and some are shocked by it, but I'll begin.
By Rhonda Carr8 years ago in Families
Pros and Cons of Binkies
There isn't an easy route for making the trials and tribulations of toddlers any less complicated, especially when any single misstep can have lasting repercussions on the state of your newborn into child growth.
By George Herman8 years ago in Families
The Mom Who Is Always Yelling
Today is a bad day. Why am I yelling so much? Did I sleep enough? Does it make me a bad mom? Am I a bad mom...? I yell so much lately that some nights my throat is raw from just trying to get my kids to stop hurting each other, me, or really just to listen. Excuses... that's all I see: my childhood maybe—it was rough, a lot more so than others; maybe it's just who I am—the mean mom who always yells at her kids....
By Kat Peirce8 years ago in Families
You Were Only a Little Abused. Top Story - October 2017.
"I'm so sorry, Mom," I cried. These words frequently echoed off my lips, resounding in a deafening silence from my mother. Most kids in my generation feared being grounded, losing privileges, or some form of physical beating, but I would have preferred those over what my mom typically had in store for me. I would have understood being sentenced to sit silently in my room. That was a punishment that most, if not all, kids went through. I would have understood not being allowed to watch TV or to use the computer, for those were good things that I, in my bad behavior, didn't deserve. And even a spanking with the wooden spoon...I'm not justifying physical violence or abuse, but at least these consequences would have been more typical of the average kid in the 90s.
By Matthew Eyler8 years ago in Families