Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
I Love Your Kids
See this kid? She is the best thing in my life. I was there to celebrate when they got pregnant, partied at her gender reveal, and I was there the day she was born. I have Skyped with her across the miles, sang to her over the phone, read to her in person, and had epic dance parties. I am Auntie Heather.
By Heather Clarke9 years ago in Families
A Caged Dove's Song
Everyone has dreams, no matter how big and outrageous they may be. Yet some people have dreams that are simple and not as far fetched as some. That’s me and my sister Faith. I want to be the greatest African American female dancer in the states. And my sister; she just wants to publish one of her stories. Faith has always been the one to reach for something that wasn’t as far away from her reach. But I, I wanted things I know I couldn’t have. I had dreams that not even the greatest people dreamt of. I wanted to conquer all. But Faith wasn’t as ambitious as me, despite us being identical twins.
By Imani Patterson9 years ago in Families
Are You REALLY a Good Role Model for Your Children?
We all want what's best for our children. At least we believe we do. Goals are important, but when do our dreams cross from the child's to our own? Some parents hope for the next Derek Jeter or Jennifer Lawrence out of their children, however, what if that's not the path THEY have in mind for themselves? On the other hand, today's athletes, models, and rock stars are all easy targets for a developing mind to latch onto as the grown up they want to emulate. These are both equally toxic for a youngster!
By Joe Martinek Sr9 years ago in Families
Overcoming Childhood Abuse
Will you listen? Why I'm Writing This Article The phrase “overcoming childhood abuse” sounds glamorous, doesn’t it? It sounds like I’ve climbed some kind of really tough mountain and am now sitting pretty on top of it with a beautiful view. Wouldn’t you love it if that were the case? Wouldn’t you love it if I could give you a road map for your own recovery or else give you a ‘rags to riches’ tale of how one woman triumphed over a horrific past to become almost normal and perfectly socially acceptable?
By Sarah Jane9 years ago in Families
How I Scared Off My Mom’s Emotional Abuser
After a few failed relationships and miscarriages, my mom decided to go ahead and have me on her own. I was, as people like to say, her “miracle baby.” Still, just because she fulfilled her life’s goal of becoming a mother didn’t mean she lost all other basic human needs. At some point during my childhood, she ended up falling in love with the man across the street from us. Years went by and they even got engaged. I grew to see him as the father I’d never had.
By Taylor Markarian9 years ago in Families
How To Save Money as New Parents
Babies are insanely expensive, and while every parent will tell you it's worth it, no one ever really drives home how expensive kids really are. According to a recent study, the average family will spend a minimum of $245,000 on raising a single child throughout the first 18 years of their lives.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Families
Till I See You Again
On this day, two years ago, I lost my best friend. I remember it so clearly, like it was yesterday. I awoke at 9:00 AM and rubbed my tired eyes. I checked my phone, and decided that it was time to start my day. I hopped into the shower, dressed myself, and made my way downstairs. At this point my dad had left for work, and my stepmom was sitting downstairs drinking a cup of coffee. This was my daily routine. Wake up, get ready, drink coffee, and go to work. I sat in the garage with my stepmom as she smoked a cigarette. I felt weird. I felt like the weight of my body was dragging me down, and it was almost unbearable to walk. I felt moody. Every passing car that I heard drive by irritated me beyond belief. I felt so tired; like I hadn’t slept in centuries. At one point I remember saying to my stepmom, “I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, but I feel like total shit today.”
By Katherine Schaefer9 years ago in Families
French Fries for Breakfast
Her hair tastes like sour milk. Well, truthfully I never have tasted her hair but just by looking at it, I can imagine inhaling its frothy filth. It is usually put up in a bun but today I watch her take it down. Her grey hair pours down onto her shoulders and I smell its rottenness. I’ve never actually touched her hair but I know I’ll never forget how crinkled it feels, just like the French fries she makes me every Sunday morning. After church, my whole family piles up in the car and we drive to her house. Breakfast will always be waiting for us. The rest of my family always wants eggs and bacon for breakfast but I am picky. No matter what is being served, I always want French fries.
By Katherine Williams9 years ago in Families
Nose Candy
The stench was unbearable; the particles that were floating their merry way about my head, as they rose up on the thermal of a steamy waft of anal produce; could easily be imagined to have their own universal atmosphere, each with their own sun and moon to collaborate a dance with.
By Steve Watkins9 years ago in Families
