children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
Family Importance
Someone once told me, that life gets harder as you get older. That someone was my dad. This April will be nine years since my dad passed away. I am not going to lie, I miss my dad everyday. Some days, I miss him more than ever. I do wish during some of my hard times that he was still here. I know that he could and would give me some advice, that would only drive me to where I know that I should be at in life. My oldest sister moved from Indiana to Kansas last summer, with her son. I miss them so much that it hurts and I wish that they were still here. I know that they are doing well there, so I am happy for them. I just wish that missing them didn't hurt so bad. My niece, who turned 21 in December, I miss her terribly. I was a big part of her and her brother's life for almost six years, while their mom was driving a semi over the road. I know that they are only going to get older and fend for themselves, but sometimes I wish that they were those little kids again. At times I wish that I too was still a little girl on that farm working on cars and tractors with my dad. How did things go from good to worse in only a matter of minutes, or a matter of seconds? I never had said that I ever hated my dad. I did my mom, but that one day changed after my dad passed away. I realized how wrong I was to feel that way about my mom, and I wished that I could have taken it all back on everything bad that I had ever said to her and about her while I was growing up. One doesn't realize the damage to the other person, even if it is a parent, that it can cause. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never ever said anything so degrading towards my mom. I know how bad my mom is now next to when I was a kid, and I wish that I could have treated her better and even talk to her better than I had. I do love my mom. She has alcoholic dementia. I don't like to watch her go through the things she had and will be in the future. I knew while growing up how important family was, but I know it so much more now. If I hear one child say that they hate their mom or dad, I do say something, "One day they aren't going to be here and you will regret that one day." I just hope that a teenager will read something like this one day, and realize the importance of family. I know that some people haven't had to go through what I have in my life, but I know some people have it worse off than I do. My life has always been complicated. Three years ago I got married, so I ended up with a step-son. I feel like he was my actual son. To me, he may as well be my son. Especially as much as I do to care for this child. I know that he may never call me mom, but to know what I do for him, is good enough for me. I would love to have a baby before my biological time clock decides to fully quit on me. I have a feeling that I am going to need a doctor's help on this, on why I have never ended up pregnant. Even if I am not ever able to carry a baby of my own, at least I do know that I have my step-son. I love that boy, but there are times that I want to pull my hair out or go crazy, but that's what goes along with parenthood. I know the craziness my parents went through with my two older sisters and I. I don't want to know who will pass away next, but the one thing I do know, that I will not be ready for it. I have never dealt with death very well, not even now. I know how important my family is, and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world!! I would love to extend my family, but sometimes it's a easier said than done, kind of thing.
By Susan Whallon Meeks8 years ago in Families
Going to Baby School
Being a first-time mom is a scary thing. You are faced with this great responsibility of keeping a growing person alive for nine months in your body, and then you have to keep them alive when they come out of you as well. It can be a little daunting.
By Samantha Reid8 years ago in Families
The Trials and Tribulations of a Stay at Home Dad
On my first day as a stay at home Dad, I felt like an impostor. I’d spent years watching my wife make bringing up little people look easy; from her boundless patience to her never-ending supply of rainy day games, I was sure I was a painter and decorator to her Picasso.
By Paul Rooney8 years ago in Families
A Mother's Fear of Not Doing Enough
I have a two-year-old. In October, she will be three—and so on each year she will get older. Recently I took "stress leave" from work. I am currently doing a career change (I guess I can call it that), with not as much luck as I'd hoped. My daughter goes to daycare three days a week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. I get four whole days with her and with not working at the moment I have plenty of time to do a lot of things with her.
By Raphaela Agecoutay8 years ago in Families
Babies
Let’s be real. Babies are small, they don’t do much... except roll around, poop, and eat. So how do we entertain them? Well... in my last eleven months of parenthood... I have come to one conclusion. You can’t entertain a baby unless you are entertaining yourself. From my perspective, when my son saw me enjoying something and laughing, he would laugh too. See, the thing with kids is that they like to mimic... a lot. They see you eating, obviously you're going to want to give them something otherwise they’ll be going at you trying to grab whatever cookie or snack you have in your hand. Everything revolves around YOU!
By Jillian Daily8 years ago in Families
Dear Daughter
Dear Daughter, The world was a dull place before you arrived, and to be honest, life seemed a little meaningless. The day I found out I was carrying you, the world seemed to shine slightly brighter and words cannot explain the utter excitement I felt at knowing you would be here soon. I waited and waited, endured pregnancy patiently but also anxiously, and then finally, there you were, so real, so perfect, and the world was completely illuminated. My love for you was overwhelming and I fell head over heels in love from the very first touch.
By Kasey Gilbert8 years ago in Families
To My Son
My Dear Son, My sweet baby boy. Soon you will be a big brother, but I want you to know that you will always have a special place in my heart. You are my first born. You’re my rainbow baby and my miracle baby. You are the one who officially made me “Mommy.” I hope that our bond will never break, you are my only boy. You have such a sweet soul, whoever you decide to marry will be extremely lucky.
By Samantha Londo8 years ago in Families
Seize the Moment
Every mom has hopes and expectations when they first see the positive sign on their pregnancy test. The sheer excitement starts to overwhelm their being and the realism of having a baby begins to hit. We even begin to set up a way to tell our significant other that their lives are also going to change; getting up at two AM for that delicious double chocolate fudge sundae so that the baby gets the cravings it needs, or preparing French toast with melted cheese on top, sprinkled with salt and pepper and a slice of tomato. Delicious.
By Kamali'i Stopper8 years ago in Families
Fatherhood
They say that there are three kinds of men when they find out that they are going to be a daddy. The first one is overwhelmed with joy the moment they find out, the second needs to see the ultrasound for reality to sink in that he will be a dad, and the third one gets his paternal instincts as soon as the baby is born in the delivery room. I was neither. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy and looking forward to fatherhood, but it did not hit me until way after he was born.
By Robert Gonzalez8 years ago in Families
