children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
Lorelei's Letters - Letter One
I have written letters before that were addressed to my daughter; in fact, I keep a diary for her for when she's older with more, personal (specific family stuff and stuff I went through and am going through). A friend and an avid reader of mine suggested I do a series—since I've done them before, but make it a little more permanent.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Peaks and Troughs
I like to write with a pen and paper. I scribble and rearrange on the page. In university I hand wrote my essay notes, mind maps, and arrows directed ideas. I didn’t feel the need to write back then, I enjoyed it, somewhat, but wasn’t drawn to writing like I am now. I’ve heard writing described as cathartic for people who’ve gone through trauma or are going through chaos. Maybe it allows time to rationalise a hive of thoughts, at least slow them for the seconds it takes to write a sentence. I don’t mean writing in terms of literature or academia. I mean letters, words, sentences—communication. Thoughts translated... and somewhat analysed. Cathartic? Yes, cathartic.
By Kiera Moran7 years ago in Families
Being that Perfect Parent
We all meet those "bumps" in the road. How do you know that you're doing it right? Being a mom was not always something I wanted out of life. I loved other people's kids, they weren't permanent, and I didn't have to wipe their buts well. Then I became pregnant with my first daughter, Macy. At that time in my life I was a mess, and during my whole pregnancy I struggled deeply with depression. I had no faith in myself. I constantly told myself I couldn't do it, and at the time I really believed it. I wouldn't say I had the best childhood growing up, it wasn't awful but my mom was often cold towards me. I think maybe that's the reason I told myself that I never wanted to have kids. I considered adoption and I considered that idea that maybe I could do it. When my daughter was born I was so happy she was here, but my struggles with life and myself were still present.
By Shelby Jordan7 years ago in Families
Make Sure Kids Feel Safe in Stressful Times
The world we live in is magnificent (most of the time). As wonderful as that may be, those who can get through the day without experiencing stress on some level are rare. The intensity of it can vary greatly; however, it affects adults and as well as children. While grownups deal with all kinds of nerve-wracking situations on a daily basis, don't think the kids are carefree just because they don't have an angry boss, short deadlines, or bills to pay. Meeting new people, looking for ways to fit in, and taking tests are just some of the examples of everyday situations that cause relatively small amounts of stress for children. The problem arises when the real crisis strikes and the amount of distress becomes unbearable. Kids are those who suffer the most, so it's necessary to get clued up about the ways we can provide them with help, protection, and support.
By Leila Dorari7 years ago in Families
Off and Away
In four days, he’ll be walking across the stage and entering his adult life. The incredibly tall redhead with a beard to cover his baby face will graduate college and my life, as his mom, will enter another stage. There are different stages you go through as a parent, and each one brings a mix of pride, happiness, and melancholy. When you enter the realm of motherhood, those first nights of bliss when you just stand over the crib and stare at this beautiful being that somehow you birthed into the world, you think that you have all the time in the world. Then, one day you are sitting at your computer, looking at college graduation tickets and sobbing. That baby is now a man and you are left with this emptiness that has no name.
By Allison Saia7 years ago in Families
Teaching Kids About Responsibility
As parents we are given the enormous responsibility of teaching our kids everything they need to know about how to be a good, responsible, and productive citizen as an adult. We start teaching them the correct way to act and live at a very young age. As they grow, we teach them more and more things, and hopefully by the time they are adults we have molded them into the people we want them to be. Let’s look at some ways to teach your children responsibility.
By Jade Pulman7 years ago in Families
Dear Daughter
Dear daughter, I was only 23 and I had NO clue what to do upon your birth. I remember you were brought into this world by a young man who hadn’t figured out his own path in this world, but was determined to show you love that no other man could show you.
By Jordan Casarez7 years ago in Families
孝女 (A Good Daughter)
When I was in kindergarten, I read a fable about a man who no longer wanted to take care of his aging father. In order to abandon his father in the deep forest, the man decided to carry his father in a wooden carrier and tell him that they’re going out for a “walk”. The man’s young son accompanied them into the woods, and when he realized that his father is abandoning his grandfather, he became flabbergasted. Seeing that his father was unwilling to change his mind, the boy went back up the mountain and grabbed the wooden carrier that they had left by the dying old grandfather. When the man asked why he is bringing the carrier back home, the boy responded, “when you’re old like grandpa, I have to use this to bring you to the forest too, right?” Realizing that he was setting a bad example in front of his child, the man went back and got his father, and showed great deference and respect to his father until the day he died.
By Sarah Hong7 years ago in Families
