children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
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 17 hours ago in Families
Easter in the Mountains
When I was growing up in the mountains of western North Carolina, Easter came along with a promise that things were about to feel a little brighter, if only for a while. We didnât have much in those days, and everybody knew it, but somehow Easter had a way of making you forget all that. For one Sunday out of the year, we felt like the richest people in all of Appalachia.
By Tim Carmichaela day 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
Professor Carlton Jama Adams and the Lasting Impact of Routine on Child Development. AI-Generated.
Professor Carlton Jama Adams is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology whose work centers on family systems and child development. His academic and professional experience reflects a deep focus on how parenting practices shape long-term outcomes for children. Through his teaching in areas such as human services, community justice, and the psychology of oppression and liberation, he offers a well-rounded perspective on the environments children grow up in. His approach often highlights the importance of consistency, emotional awareness, and structure as key elements in supporting healthy development.
By Carlton Adams4 days ago in Families
A Parent Who Didnât Know What to Expect From a CAFCASS Call
I kept checking my phone even when it wasn't ringing. That particular kind of anxiety, the one that makes you pick up your mobile mid-sentence while someone's talking to you, the one that made me sleep badly for a week, was all because of one scheduled call from a CAFCASS officer.
By Family Law Service4 days ago in Families
What Does it Take to Successfully Reconcile with Your Estranged Adult Child?
A young woman who is estranged from her mom asked the Reddit community if it was possible to reconnect. Most said absolutely, yes. But the road to reconciliation is a lot of work. In fact one user couldnât believe she was standing with her mother in the kitchen making coffee. Two years ago, that wasnât even a possibility.
By Marie Dubuque6 days ago in Families
đ§ď¸ The Old Man at the Bus Stop
Every morning at exactly 8:15, the old man arrived at the bus stop. Rain or shine, winter or summerâit didnât matter. He wore the same faded brown coat, carried a small paper bag, and sat on the far end of the bench as if the rest of the world didnât exist.
By Imran Ali Shah7 days ago in Families
