Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Families.

Nature vs Nurture
There once was a boy who was energetic as a young child, subdued as a teenager. He because increasingly troubled as his family life broke down. His mother and father divorced, and his violent fantasies grew. He committed his first act of murder just after he graduated from high school. For the next thirteen years, this man lured other young men to his home where he killed them and mutilated their corpses. In total he killed 17 men. His name was Jeffery Dahmer. Dahmer is an extreme case of deviancy, but the question arises. What made Jeffery Dahmer behave this way? Was he just born with the predisposition to be a serial killer or did his social circumstances lead to his actions?
By Danni Greer9 years ago in Families
A Short, Wartime Bedtime Story
Necla opened her hazel eyes at the sound of an immense explosion. She bolted upright in her chair and ran to the dingy room at the end of the dark corridor. Her young sister was sleeping still, miraculously, a torn doll tucked under her dirty chin.
By Busra Bayram9 years ago in Families
The End of a Family
I wrote this in an old diary on 11th March 2003 at 6:35am, some seven months after my mum died. It was the first time I could put pen to paper and recount what happened.
By Richard Douglas9 years ago in Families
Open Letter
I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for taking the time between parties to meet my mother. Your relationship was not one that any child could idolize, but through it I was conceived, so thank you.
By Stella Lane9 years ago in Families
Staying In Touch with Family
When it comes to talking to your family, you may live in another area or clear across the sea, so make sure that you know how to keep in touch with your family when needed. Here are a few ways you can do to keep in touch with your family if you have moved or if you want to just stay at home for a little bit without leaving the house.
By Lakeyia L9 years ago in Families
Postnatal Anxiety
I am a mother to two fabulous children. I am alive. These are two important facts you need to know. You need to know them because the latter fact is one that I wasn't sure would be true following their births. I will start from the very beginning, and if you are suffering with anxiety while reading this, take a break every so often to process each part of the story. I promise it helps.
By Fliss Goldsmith9 years ago in Families
Pal Joey. Top Story - August 2017.
Looking at the screen of the CAT scan I think, ‘Now this in authentic Reality TV.’ I am blinking fast and furious faucets of tears as if I think I can lift off and out of this cramped, over-heated office fueled solely by eyelash power. The young oncologist is calm. The scene, like his job, is a re-run, scripted with words like “cancer,” “Stage 4,” “8 months to a year,” “so sorry,” “do what we can.”
By Dr. Ronda9 years ago in Families
Teach Your Kids to Cook
Let’s face it. Food is important. We all eat, and we all depend on food to fuel our bodies and keep us energized. When it comes to basic needs, food ranks pretty high on the list. Right up there with water, breathing, and sleep.
By Vanessa Cherron Riser9 years ago in Families
Cutting the Apron Strings
As a parent, there are so many stepping stones we have to overcome with our children. For me they are more like mountains; in fact, I’m thinking of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. I listen to those other parents with their confident laid back drawl and wonder how is it that I’m not more like them. How did I end up seeing this world as such a big scary place that my son would have to enter head to toe in armour (including helmet, especially helmet) sword at the ready, preferably two, with a friendly non-human eating dragon by his side?
By Lisa Ives9 years ago in Families
You Can't Choose Your Family
No one will know how it is to walk in your shoes. Some may experience one or two things in their life which have had a huge impact on them but at the end of the day they can move on with the help of friends and family, which would be — if you would compare it to a shoe — a sneaker. Just bought it and a bit hard at first, might get one or two blisters, but after wearing them in they are comfortable and fit like a glove. Which is what everybody wants: an easy stroll through life with a shoe that is comfortable and efficient in many ways.
By Liz Bell9 years ago in Families
Parenting Tips for Single Parents
It's easy to feel overwhelmed about the struggles associated with raising a child by yourself. However, there is no need to freak out and let the stress get the best of you. When you try these parenting tips for single parents, you will suddenly feel like a weight has been lifted.
By Jessica Herring9 years ago in Families
The Scary Monster Called "Different From"
Today, my son began talking about his upcoming school year, mentioning things such as who would his homeroom teacher be, what friends would be in his homeroom, and so on. He then said he hated school last year. Perhaps if he said this before August 12, it might have gone over my head. We have all said "I hate this," or "I hate that" as if it were no big thing. But today, it chilled me to the bone, sounding like nails down a chalkboard. I interrupted and said, "Please don't say hate so easily. You don't really hate those things. It takes a lot to hate, and it's such a strong word, so please try not saying it like you just did."
By Vince Bandille9 years ago in Families