parents

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

Postpartum
Let us all be open and honest here, having a baby is hard. Being pregnant is hard. Keeping a relationship alive is hard. Life after having a baby can be even harder than them all.
By Emily Grisham7 years ago in Families
What It's like to Be the Child of a Single Parent
I don't think I've actually said it to him. I never said thank you. Never said thank you for raising me alone. I know I didn't make it easy. I know I was frustrating from day one, but he did it. My dad raised me alone. He took me to daycare, and then to school. He packed me lunches for field trips and helped me with my homework. He worked so many hours, just to give me the life he never had; the life he thought I deserved. My dad spoiled me because he felt guilty that I only had one parent. But even with all the toys, the thing that stands out to me the most was that every picture I drew was hung on the fridge, and every ugly clay creation was kept. I think the hardest of all was when he comforted me as I cried about the parent who wasn't there. I didn't even know if he was still mourning her. I just knew I was sad about the life I thought to be normal. I was mourning a life I had never got to have, and even though he was mourning the life he did have, he took me in his arms and comforted me.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
It Takes Two
Above in the picture, you will see my coworker Morgan and my daughter Adelina. My daughter is six years old and was recently diagnosed last year with “intellectual border disability." What is that you ask? It’s a politically correct term for.... dare we say it?! “Mental retardation." My daughter does not drool, she communicates pretty good, she doesn’t need help getting around, or someone to feed her. Nope! She is pretty independent!
By Erika Fries7 years ago in Families
Diary of a Dad Aged 50¾ - Part 3
Don’t let others know, especially teenagers, but I think today I might have cracked it! Today we have a walking, talking and active teenager. I know that one day in isolation doesn’t count for a full seven years of teenage life, but today could be a way to get involvement, interest and communication without the grunts, eye-rolling and belief that everyone else comes from a different planet. The favourite current phrase used towards us is “we’re a new generation!”
By Steve Atkins-Linnell7 years ago in Families
Five Things Parents of an Autistic Child Don’t Want to Hear
1. "I don’t know how you do it." Do what? Love my kid unconditionally? I ‘do it’ because she’s my daughter whether or not she has autism. I’m her mother. I’m just doing what any decent mom does: Taking care of my child.
By Holly Paine7 years ago in Families
Growing Up Without My Father
To start the story off on why I grew up without my father. I was only 3-years-old and my sister was 2 when our father was in a fatal car accident. I can only tell what it was like for me to grow up without and think that she had a hard time too. I didn't know him very well, just remembered him enough to know he wasn't here. I like to think he is watching over me and proud of how far I've come.
By JJ Smith7 years ago in Families
Halloween as a Mom
I am a procrastinator when it comes to everything. Yes, even when it comes to my favorite holiday! This year I had huge plans, I was going to go big and dressing my whole family up. Suddenly I realize, it’s the day before Halloween and I don’t have anything. No candy, no paint and worst of all, no costume for my two year old!
By Catrina Palko7 years ago in Families
Diary of a Dad Aged 50¾ - Part 2
For 364 days of the year, we have very clear and direct messages for our youngest children: “Don’t talk to strangers!” “Never take sweets from strangers!”
By Steve Atkins-Linnell7 years ago in Families
I Got Him—or Does He Have Me?
My father, being a devout fisherman, had many tools in his arsenal. From his Orvis fly rod and reel, to his Caddis felt bottom wading shoes. I on the other hand had little equipment other than my Eagle Claw spinning reel pole.
By Joseph Shidek7 years ago in Families
Language
Can I just say that our western culture kind of sucks? Can I just rant for a minute or two? What do I mean when I say that language is a barrier to breastfeeding success, and how is that relevant to western culture or society?
By Ashley Lichenstein7 years ago in Families
My Boots Are My Roots
I could say all the cliche things to grab your attention. I could paint a fake image of the cowboy life that I grew up in. But, none of that would be me, and that would be a disservice to the way I was raised and taught. I grew up surrounded by my parents, nature, and literally, on horseback. Don't quite get what I mean? Check out the main picture... yup. That's me in the knapsack with my dad at eight months old out in Kananaskis country in Alberta. Most of my childhood memories revolve around nature and family. If we weren't camping, we were on horses. If it wasn't that then it was helping dad with projects around the house. My world was learning, all types of skills, from how to hammer a nail to asking critical thoughtful questions about tough topics like politics, history, and philosophy. I was always encouraged to do well in school and if I was curious, at the time, "Google it" wasn't a phrase yet, grab a dictionary, or an encyclopedia and learn about it.
By Steven Altman7 years ago in Families
Our Parents
As I sat there in my bed, the night before this speech was due, my mind started spinning. What topic interested me? What topic would captivate my audience? After not being able to think of a good topic, I began to think about my previous speeches. I remembered asking my parents what their opinion was on millennials when I was in the midst of writing that speech and with their answer it led me to realize how different our mindsets are. And with that thought in mind I had a topic to write about.
By Shterna Botnick7 years ago in Families