Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Why You Should Call your Mom, Not Text Her
Being a sophomore in college, I have had to do my laundry by myself for the past year and a half, yet I still call my mom to ask if my black and white striped shirt from Urban Outfitters goes into the lights or the darks. I didn't realize how much I needed my mom in my life until spring semester finals week when I was trudging through the pouring rain at 7:30am to go take my finite final. Needless to say, I fell into a puddle of rain water and took my final with the same puddles in my tennis shoes, socks sopping wet. I called her and cried because A. I was on my way to take a test I was not prepared for, and B. She would know what to do. Being a teacher, my mom has always been a problem solver and ready to act in a moments notice if something went wrong. She may seem like a Debbie Downer sometimes, but in reality she just prepares for the worst, but expects the best.
By Layne Sermersheim8 years ago in Families
Sisters
My parents got divorced when I was 18 months old so I never met my real father until I was about 30 years old. My step dad raised me and I have always considered him my dad now and til I die. However, I did have 3 sisters out in this world that I had never met until I was 30 also. You see to meet them, I had to meet him... so the search for my biological father began. It didn't take long to track him down either. He basically lived 2 counties over and it wasn't that I was so interested in him as I was in meeting my sisters. My father Calvin had 4 daughters all by different mothers, my mother being his 3rd wife. My sister Beverly is the oldest, then Renee, me, and then there is a 4th named Brandy but we have never met her and not sure if she knows or wants to know who her biological father is and that is how we have left it. Maybe someday she will find out the truth or doesn't care one way or another and that's fine too. But for me I needed to know my siblings and that I did.
By Vanessa Hampton8 years ago in Families
Watching a Parent Struggle
I used to think the worst thing that could happen in life would be the death of a loved one. Having someone you loved so dearly ripped from your life unexpectedly. So quick you don’t even get a chance to say goodbye or one more I love you.
By Brittney Heath8 years ago in Families
Life Through a Different Window
Having two children before the age of 21 was never the plan, but a great shift in life regardless. Raising these little humans hasn't been easy and even though there are times when pulling my hair out seems like a great idea, I wouldn't change this life for anything. Just when I thought having not one, but TWO kids was hard enough, the news of my oldest child being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder turned my world upside down.
By Cait Nichole8 years ago in Families
Diary of a Black Baby Daddy
November 13, 2012 is the day my life changed. Whether I was ready or not, it was game time. In the hospital I sat and thought, "Man, I'm gonna chronicle all the big moments of my daughters life and share it with the world." That's where today's first lesson kicks in. "See, I'm a dad, right..." is my favorite rebuttal when discussing my laziness. I'm a 31-year-old single parent of a four-year-old daughter and sometimes I just put things to the side. See, it's easy as a parent to say, "Well, between getting a child ready for school, working 60 hours a week, making sure dinner is ready, clothes are ready, and the kid is bathed and settled for the night, I can't find the time." Yes, the time is difficult to accumulate, but if you're reading this, THE TIME IS NOW! I was supposed to chronicle my daughters growth, to share moments from birth and beyond, yet I procrastinated. My daughter is four now, so I left you guys hanging on the first words, the first steps, the first day of Pre-K, etc. My daughter is only four so there is A LOT of growing that still has to be done. So I am here now to say, don't let parenting procrastination get the easy victory. Yes, you can do it tomorrow, but hey, why not do it today?
By Joshua Barner8 years ago in Families
Nature Nurtured
I knew I'd become a mother as soon as I became a mother; it was an instant success! I never thought I'd ever be a mother, and now I was and am and lived to enjoy every bit of it. At least it was completely true from childbirth to pre-teen years.
By Martina R. Gallegos8 years ago in Families
Five Ways to Surprise Your Wife!
Husbands, were you aware of the importance of September 17? If not, time to take note, because we have just passed the International Wife Appreciation Day! I hope all of you treated the lovely ladies in your life… However, if you’re like my husband and didn’t find out until the day after, time to get your diary out now. Here is a collection of ideas of how to show your wife appreciation. It's a little early but at least you will be well-prepared for International Wife Appreciation Day 2018!
By Nathalie Martin8 years ago in Families
Dear Dad
Dear Dad, The day is half way gone and I've spent most of it trying to ignore the obvious, but I won't let it go by without acknowledging you. I'd never do that. It's been 26 years to the day that you were taken from me. 26 years. I've come to terms with the fact that I don't know how to grieve. I don't know how to properly and healthily process what happened. I feel like I start the grieving process over and over again. It never stops. It doesn't get better. It never gets "easier." I hate myself sometimes because I can't remember what your voice sounds like. That drives me crazy. 1991 didn't have the technology of today so I don't have any recordings or videos or anything where I can just hear your voice. I daydream about how different my life would be of you weren't taken from me. I think about the impact you would have had on who I turned out to be as a person. I feel like there is a void there that will never be filled. That could never be filled. Had I known we only had five years to squeeze in a lifetime of memories, I would have fought to spend more time with you. I would have spent all of my time with you. All I have left are fading memories, and stories of your past from people who knew you better than I did. Every once in a while I have to tell one of your old teammates that you're no longer with us. They stare at me with pity in an awkward silence. It's been a pretty weird couple of decades.
By Ashlee Nicole8 years ago in Families
