Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Memory Lane
Jenna had walked down this road many times, yet she had never noticed it before. The tiny alleyway, its entrance covered with hanging ivy. Fiddling with a strand of hair that had fallen over her face, as she had done for many years, she felt an urge to lift the ivy and go in. It was a strong pull and she didn't resist. She pulled back the ivy and gasped. It was a little country lane, peaceful and serene, with many different doors scattered down the length of the seemingly endless lane. The ivy across the entrance was now blocking out all the noise from the street; all she could hear were birds tweeting their many different songs, bees buzzing around in the sun, and what sounded like the trickle of water. It reminded her of the creek she used to play in when she was a child.
By Michelle Shaftoe8 years ago in Families
Their First Screen-Free Day
I have been a nanny to three children for the past two years, I have watched these children grow, mature, and become addicted to technology, specifically, anything with a screen. Movies? They feel entitled to a constant stream of movies, no matter the time, nor their behavior. Phones? They see you with a phone in your hand and suddenly they want—no NEED—2,000 hugs and kisses as they peer at your screen and attempt to read over your shoulder (despite being 5, 3 and 2). The oldest demands Snapchat filters and pictures of herself as soon as she realizes that I am taking a photograph. As soon as their movie turns off, they are literally screaming at me to put another one on. It’s maddening!
By Eadlyen Greenwood8 years ago in Families
Caspian and the Loss of His Mother
With each passing day, I realise more how much I hate the press and the media. But I've never hated it quite so much as when I was younger and it annoys me to the point that I need to lash out with my thoughts. When I was kid, way before I met Caspian, I had felt sorry and upset for him and his brother; I would pray for him and his brother to be looked after in the trying years that faced them and for the years to come. They have turned out to be two handsome men, living life to the fullest, counting their blessings every day and knowing that their mother is watching over them making her proud.
By Lizzy Arrow8 years ago in Families
Memories
You're going to remember car rides. Lots and lots of car rides; maybe at first you'll remember sun seeping through trees and blinking as we pass other cars, other buildings. Eventually, you'll remember dark, with a toasty car while music quietly plays as tiny snowflakes melt against the glass. Maybe you'll remember stopping for cool drinks, and then hot chocolates, on our way home. You'll remember the shades of autumn against the windows, the way the air smells before the first snow, whipping in the window. You'll remember words to my favourite songs, and I'll remember the ones to yours.
By Amanda Fish8 years ago in Families
Narcissistic Siblings and the Pain You Feel from Them
Growing up in a dysfunctional household puts you at a risk for not having a very close relationship with siblings. It is shown that many siblings that come from abusive and dysfunctional homes do not have good relationships as adults and continue the abuse they were subjected to as kids through adulthood. Sisters and brothers are often made to compete for love and attention in a dysfunctional house as well as many are turned against each other by the narcissistic or abusive parent. Some of these children actually take on the role of the abuser in their adult life. These siblings are not in any way what a bond between siblings should be. They do not want the best for you and will do such horrendous things to damage you, they can and will try to destroy every asset of your life.
By Ash astrid8 years ago in Families
Family of Blankets
I was on Facebook a year ago and I came across this post from a lady that was starting a GoFundMe page and the post was saying that this family had lost their home from a fire. Well I clicked on the lady's profile and she had a video of her going through her home explaining each room. I wasn't into the video but for 10 seconds and I was in tears. What tugged at my heart was this family picture at the end of the hall. It was kind of scary. It was like the fire didn't touch that part of the house. The family was starting completely over from the ground up. I heard that they were living in a motel, and then they stayed with friends.
By Crystal Greer8 years ago in Families
How To Plan a Baby Shower
It can be time-consuming being tasked with planning a baby shower. But with these suggestions on how to plan a baby shower, you will be sure to have more free time on your hands and host a great party. A baby shower is a special time for an expectant mother because they get to bask in the glory of knowing that they will soon be a parent.
By Jessica Herring8 years ago in Families
Grandfather's Pocket Watch
He moved slowly from the hospital bed to the bathroom. I watched his agony. I looked over at my grandmother. She sat quietly, his pain reflected in her eyes. They had been married, my grandfather and grandmother, for over forty years, and had raised two daughters, my aunt and my mother. And now she watched him slowly die.
By David Stoner8 years ago in Families
The Day I Lost My Son
The day I lost my son was like any other day. I woke up at god awful in the morning and made coffee. My husband came down and we made breakfast while waiting for the kiddo to come down stairs. I remember sitting there, reading random fluff on the internet via my phone, with occasional sips of coffee. The next thing I knew, my child was curled up in my lap, trembling against my chest.
By Kelley Pace8 years ago in Families
10 Reasons Toddlers Rule!
Toddlerhood is my favourite stage so far. Seriously, terrible twos, threenager – why does the world take such a negative view of this vibrant time in a baby’s life? When I thought about it, I quickly realized that to be fair, most stages of childhood and adolescence are judged harshly and labelled negatively. Poor teens certainly don’t escape the judgement levelled their way.
By Abellona T8 years ago 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 Greer8 years ago in Families
