parents

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

The Miracle of "Firsts"
The year was 1965. My father was in the garden one afternoon, picking green beans when I arrived home from the school bus stop. He waved at me as I came into the yard and hollered, "Hey, son! How was school?"
By Chuck Hinson8 years ago in Families
The Knackered Mothers Club
So very recently my Dad died. He had a stupidly short fight with cancer and lost. Naturally I'm upset, I'm grieving. Everyone grieves in there own personal way, I get that. But, sometimes I feel like I'm doing it wrong! Dad died exactly 7 days ago at 11 PM, and this morning I rang work with a smile on my face and told them I will be back Monday, what's more... I'm looking forward to it.
By Tascha Ralph8 years ago in Families
11 Weeks Later
The giggles, the smiles, the late night cuddles. Everything about her is so prefect. You miss her when she’s in the next room, you go out of your way just to get one last look at her before leaving for work. She has made you a mommy.
By Samantha Arquette8 years ago in Families
I Got It from My Momma
As cliche as it is, I’ll be the first to admit my mom is my best friend. I love to call my mom and chat with her about life, and she’s the first person I want to talk to whenever anything new happens in my life. She’s the person I can depend on to know when I need some comfort talk or when I need to hear the blunt, honest to goodness truth.
By Hannah York 8 years ago in Families
Black Girl Without a Dad
Why didn't you see, you should have been my first love? You should have been the first KING in my life. Yet you walked away and denied me. Was that DNA test not good enough for you? Growing up without a dad is bad for any child. For a boy... he doesn't have the right skills it takes to be a stand up man. He learns how to walk away and how to give up on his family. You teach him how to disrespect women and how to get what he wants, without giving anything in return... His mother can only teach him so much for she isn't a man.. And for a little girl... well, for us we learn young that men will walk away, disappoint us, treat us like we don't matter and maybe only show up when they want something. Why can't you see, you should have opened doors for me? Pulled out my seat? So that I would have standards for the men that came into my life. Why can't you understand, I needed you to tell me to keep my "honey bun" to myself, because it is special and no man should touch it or me until he is willing to put a ring on my finger? Why can't you see my mother couldn't do alone? She was working hard to do her best, but I still ended up between worlds, trying to be the good girl, with good grades and great friends, but at the same time looking for a father in this boy or that man... hoping he would love me unconditionally (you know, the way you didn't?)
By K J8 years ago in Families
To the Exclusive Pumping Mama
Dear fellow pumping mama, I know what it feels like. You have given up your body for your little one to thrive. It's hardly a sacrifice; that's what we constantly tell ourselves. We know how much our little ones are worth it. You are doing amazing.
By Aria Cutamora8 years ago in Families
Parental Alienation and Family Court
I recently wrote to Nadhim Zahawi, Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, to request that he bans the use of the unproven junk theory of Parental Alienation in Family Courts. PA is being used in Family Courts to ensure that abusive fathers are given contact and residency of their children and to allow them to continue to abuse the mothers.
By Clare Scanlan8 years ago in Families
Young Mums; Breaking the Stereotype
Some people (note the "some") look at a young girl walking down the street with a young child or baby and assume everything about her based only on the fact she has a child.
By Trinity Jones8 years ago in Families
30 Journal Entries for Self-Discovery – Day 4
Welcome to day four of my journal entries for self-discovery! I'm honestly impressed I still have followers. Just kidding. Kind of. Anyway, I'm excited to keep going. I hope you're all writing along with me. Honestly, it's been fun so far. Here is the quote of the day from one of my all-time favorite authors (Seriously, check her out next time you're at the library, her books are amazing); "You may not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page. " - Jodi Picoult
By Michelle Schultz8 years ago in Families
That's Not Neglect
First, let me tell you how the rest of my day went. I got up and got my oldest (age three) ready for school. While I was preparing other things, I got a good breakfast into all three of my girls, and they had some playtime because I’d planned well. While Sugar Bean (the three year old) was at school, I took Gummy Bear (age two) and Sunshine (age two months) shopping. Gummy Bear got treats for being good, plus a lot of verbal positive reinforcement. I kept Sunshine calm and content, and got everybody’s Halloween costume supplies more than a month early. I picked up Sugar Bean from school on time, and then all three girls got to play with me AND their grandma. I put them down for naps after a good lunch. When Sugar Bean refused to nap, I let her have quiet time instead of leaving her to cry it out excessively.
By Brynne Nelson8 years ago in Families
What Makes a Good Mom Friend
I recently called my sister to inform her that my 13-year-old daughter may have to live with me forever. She had managed to forget her lunch for the second time that week and it was only Wednesday. My sister proceeded to go down the proverbial rabbit hole with me. I decided that my precious angel would need me forever because obviously her 15-year-older self will forget to feed her own children, heck, she may even forget she has children and leave them places. Because let’s face it, a few forgotten lunches ultimately means she is destined for failure in life. For the next 15 minutes my sister was able to successfully remind me that I have time for my 13-year-old to grow into a responsible adult. She isn’t planning on moving out for a few more years and I have many weeks to work on her being able to see that brightly colored lunch box sitting on the end of our island as she walks by it to open the front door. She was optimistic enough to even propose that this young lady may, in fact, be able to pack her own lunch before she successfully zips it into her backpack. This may be a stretch in my mind as of this moment but I appreciate the faith she has in this forgetful child.
By Katie Larsen8 years ago in Families
A Reason to Be Proud
I am a proud Mom! I have such a loving, wonderful daughter. At times she is a handful like her Daddy, but I wouldn't trade her for anything in this world. She is trying out for sports this year if the school allows for it, if not she will try out next year. She is also starting dance classes, possibly going back into girl scouts, and she is also in strings. When she can she will be going into choir as well as JROTC. She goes to church and tells people about God and that God loves them. She has voiced her choice for the 2018 judge elections. She is a sweetheart and cares so much about the people in her life. She stands up for herself with bullies. I have so many reasons to be proud of this little girl. When I am sick and can't breathe she grabs my inhaler, a drink, and asks if I need her to call 911. She makes sure I have it with me at all times and if I leave the house she makes sure I take it with me. if I have an episode she is asking to go with me so she can keep me safe.
By Amanda J Mollett8 years ago in Families