Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Top 5 Ways to Raise Thinkers
One of the most important things to me as a parent is raising critical thinkers. I want them to say the layers beneath and the reasons why things are the way they are. It isn't just a rainbow to us, it is sunlight refracting from the moisture in the air.
By Amy Jourdan8 years ago in Families
Lincoln, I Love You
My life has always been a mess. At age five I almost drowned, at age six I was raped for a year, age eleven I was attacked by a grown man, and age seventeen I was robbed at gunpoint. Basically my entire life had been a constant barrage of shit thrown onto my plate, which made me hate myself. The only thing that ever made me feel like I wasn’t worthless, the only thing that made me proud, was my family. I had found the most amazing wife and we had the most beautiful and intelligent children; I was ecstatic. Until I got that phone call, which changed my entire life.
By Garrett Lukenbill8 years ago in Families
Co-Parenting
As a child I always dreamed of meeting prince charming! Whether he rode in on a white horse wearing a suit of armor, or sailed up to the beach in a beautiful ship, or if one day he came to my rescue in a swift and courageous manner! Let’s be realistic ladies (and gentleman) who doesn't want a fairy tale ending! Most kids hear the same basic order in which people believe life should go after you graduate high school, you go to college, get a degree, get a job, meet "prince charming," get married, then last but not least, you have kids. Now I don't speak for all women, but as for me, my life didn't go that way! I'm not here to talk about school or weddings or dream relationships, we’re going to touch on a much heavier topic for about 70% of mothers, children, & fathers in America today. That's right folks, co-parenting.
By Krysten Michele8 years ago in Families
The Unexpected
The day I knew you were growing inside me was perhaps the most nerve wrecking day of my life, and not just because of hormones, I didn't know what to say to my loving husband. I was not ready for a child, I'm still not ready to have a child. To be economically prepared for you to come is almost impossible. My dear unborn daughter I honestly don't know what Josh and I will do once you are born. I know I will love you and he will be a better father than I a mother. I don't know what to feel even being seven and a half months pregnant with you. The weight gain I have the nausea you bring me and the lack of sleep all makes me so much more scared. Hormones surge through my body feeling like lightning bullets in a vast open sky.
By Amanda Thurnherr8 years ago in Families
Finding a Childcare Center that Provides a Safe and Healthy Environment for Children
Parents can never do too much to make sure that their child, or the child of a friend or relative, will be cared for in a healthy and safe childcare environment. The following guidelines will assist parents in finding quality childcare. The first thing that should be asked, before going any further, is whether the Child Center, Child Care Home, or program has an open door policy allowing caregivers or parent to drop in as needed. If the answer is no, that provider should be crossed off the list.
By Jerrie DeRose8 years ago in Families
Parenting Truth
Parenting is the process of promoting and supporting the physical, emotional, social, financial, and intellectual development of a child from infancy to adulthood. When people think of parenting, they picture changing diapers, messy feeding times, chasing them around a grocery store, little league, back to school shopping, or paying for school lunches.
By Paige Whitaker8 years ago in Families
How to Talk to Your Teen About Drinking
Drinking can be a hard subject to talk to your teen about because they most likely have different views on the subject than you, but it is crucial to know how to talk to your teen about drinking. Based on what kids hear from their friends they usually think drinking increases their social status and makes them seem like an adult. However, as a parent, you need to instill in your child the contrary. Advise them that alcohol not only has a destructive nature but is illegal. When you talk to your teen about drinking you should be strict with your expectations for them and be proactive in making sure they listen to you and don't engage in underage drinking.
By Alicia Springer8 years ago in Families
Dear Father
Dear Father, We might have always come as a package deal, but it wasn't a package I asked for. One that you accidentally order from amazon, realize it wasn't something you wanted, and ask for a refund. It was always about you, everything was always about you. It's bull that nobody remembers me. You don't remember the important days like my birthday, or the mere fact I requested the smallest and simplest present to begin with. I asked for my favorite meal with my family. Yet, you have a whole venue rented for your birthday that isn't for a whole month. All your friends get to come and spend that time with you. I sat at home, with no friends because you told me all my friends were terrible people and I didn't need to be around them. I sat at home and cried while you went to work and had an office party. I slept all night until you came home, hoping maybe you'd ask how my day was, but I got nothing but an attitude when you arrived home. I have sacrificed everything in order to make you happy, nonetheless you can't sacrifice 40 dollars in order to have a meal with your daughter and family; but have no issue dropping 40 on a meal for two. I'm tired of always coming in last. I'm always second to you and it should never be that way. As your child, I'm always supposed to come first. But nobody seems to think about me unless it's about you. None of my family associates with me because of you, but according to you you never did anything wrong. Your son hates you, all because you did nothing wrong. I was a liar because you beat me for years after mom died, but you did nothing wrong. I had to deliberately hide my identity, hide where I lived, and who I associated with because you did nothing wrong. I've given you ample times to redeem yourself, and this is the last straw. You start off the first few weeks OK, like you've made improvements. Then, as if a switch flicks off, move on like you didn't change a damn thing. I bite my tongue, and let you yell at me in rage and let you do what you have to do to release steam. But I've had enough, and honestly, I've told people the reason I tried to kill myself the first time was because I was getting bullied. But it wasn't just the bullying, it was the torment I came home to. And it may sound selfish, but you haven't given me a reason to be here. I have given up my entire life to try and make our relationship work. I've bitten my tongue to make it work, I've played the stupid game you know how to play so well. You are not who you claim to be behind closed doors. I've given my life to make our relationship work, after all you're the last parent I have. But honestly, once I get my life together, I'm leaving. I want nothing to do with you, and that's a serious notion to claim. But I mean it, once I don't have to deal with your game, I won't, and you'll lose the last child you had a chance with. I will never let another man treat me the way you have. I will not let another man tear me apart as you have, and I damn well refuse to let you be the downfall of me. I should have taken my brothers advice and gotten out when I could have. But because I was taught that being kind is the way I should be, I ruined my own life to make you happy. And to think, the thing that started this whole letter was the fact that you refused to spend any time with me for my birthday? It's funny how many years I've given up to make you happy, but you can't give up 45 minutes of your life for me.
By Crysta Miracle8 years ago in Families
The Sh*t They Don't Tell You: Lesson #3
Welcome to Temper Tantrums. "No!" One word. Two letters. May or may not include an exclamation point. But any way you decide to phrase it, that one syllable word can ruin someone's day. And by someone, I mean a toddler. Welcome to temper tantrums, you poor unsuspecting fool.
By Tiffany Wade8 years ago in Families
