adoption
Adoption proves that sometimes, you can choose your family; all about the process before, during and after adoption.
The Voicemail My Son Left
Seven Words That Became My Reason to Breathe THE MESSAGE I ALMOST DELETED đ˘ My son Marcus left for his second deployment to Afghanistan on a Tuesday morning in March, and somewhere between the airport and the military transport that would carry him into a war zone he called my phone knowing I would not answer because I had told him the night before that I could not bear to say goodbye again because the first deployment had nearly destroyed me and I did not have the emotional reserves for another farewell that might be the last, and so he called knowing the call would go to voicemail and he left a message that I did not listen to for three days because seeing his name on my missed calls made my chest constrict with the specific dread that military families carry constantly, the awareness that every phone call could be the one that changes everything, and when I finally gathered the courage to press play his voice filled my kitchen with seven words that became the most important sentence I have ever heard: "Mom, I'm brave because you were first" đ
By The Curious Writerabout 14 hours ago in Families
Why Good Intentions Make a Bad Legal Standard
Why Law Reaches for Intent in the First Place Legal systems lean toward intent because it feels humane. Motive appears to reveal character, and character feels like a stable guide for judgment. In emotionally charged domains like parenting and custody, intent offers something comforting: the belief that outcomes can be understood, and even forgiven, by examining what someone meant to do. Courts frequently ask whether a parent acted out of love, fear, confusion, or malice, as though the answer to that question can reliably predict what the child will experience over time.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcast3 days ago in Families
Is It Normal to Feel Emotional After an Abortion?. AI-Generated.
A Quiet Truth Many People Donât Talk About Abortion is often discussed in terms of physical recovery, timelines, and medical details â but far fewer conversations acknowledge the emotional experience that can follow. For many, the emotional part is the most unexpected.
By Eve Surgical Center11 days ago in Families
The "most crucial" ages for human brain growth, maturity, intelligence, and general ability are four.
From the time of our birth until the very end of our lives, our brains undergo gradual changes. These shifts influence how we learn, think, remember, and react to the world. They might be gradual at times or abrupt at others.
By Francis Dami29 days ago in Families
Punch the Macaque: The Baby Monkey Who Found Comfort in a Plush Friend
Today we look back at one of the most unexpected viral stories of 2025âa tale that began quietly in a zoo in Japan and grew into a global symbol of resilience and tenderness. It is the story of Punch, a Japanese macaque born in July 2025 at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture. His life began with hardship, but what followed has touched millions across the world.
By Haroon Pashaabout a month ago in Families
Love That Acts, Not Love That Speaks
When Love Became a Language Instead of a Practice In modern parenting culture, love is increasingly defined by what is said rather than what is done. Emotional affirmation, verbal reassurance, and constant validation are treated as the primary evidence of care, while less expressive forms of love are often overlooked or misunderstood. A parent who says âI love youâ frequently and validates feelings consistently is assumed to be providing something essential, while a parent who demonstrates care through sacrifice, consistency, and enforcement may be perceived as distant or emotionally limited.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a month ago in Families
My Cousin, Who We Adopted Into Our Family As A Brother
What happens to get into recovery? Some people are in recovery from drinking alcohol and taking drugs, while others consider recovery as they are no longer spinning around an alcoholic or drug addict, a loved one.
By Denise E Lindquistabout a month ago in Families
Navigating Relationships with Emotional Intelligence
Relationships are the very fabric of our lives, weaving together our experiences, shaping our identities, and providing a profound sense of connection. Yet, they are also incredibly complex, often fraught with misunderstandings, heartbreak, and the bewildering question: "Why do relationships fail?" It's a question that echoes in countless hearts, hinting at deeper psychological currents beneath the surface.
By Being Inquisitiveabout a month ago in Families
The Power of Presence
When âGood Parentingâ Became a Feeling In modern parenting conversations, âgoodâ has increasingly come to mean emotionally warm, verbally affirming, and immediately comforting. A good parent is expected to soothe distress quickly, validate feelings consistently, and minimize discomfort whenever possible. These traits are treated as obvious indicators of healthy parenting, reinforced by cultural messaging, therapeutic language, and social reward structures. When a child feels better in the moment, the parenting decision is assumed to have been correct, and when discomfort persists, the decision is often framed as a failure of care rather than a necessary part of development.
By Peter Thwing - Host of the FST Podcastabout a month ago in Families
