Rebecca Balfe is a former editor for Love What Matters. She resides in NYC, owning and rescuing adorable cats. She is an avid Lupus fighter and advocate.
‘Nutrition staff show up, knowing school breakfast and lunch might be the only meals kids eat.’: Mom, Director of Food & Nutrition Services creates ‘positivity bananas’ to give kids a smile
“With so many kids already receiving free or reduced-price meals, how are families going to cope if they lose their income AND school meals? I wondered what I could do to bring back some of the happiness the kids feel at school while in the lunchroom, with their favorite teacher, or playing at recess.”
‘With all due respect to our veterans, we are doing a lot more than ‘just sitting on the couch and watching TV’ right now.’: Woman says ‘we are not in war, but we are surely fighting’
“Health care workers are risking their lives to save others. Businesses are shutting down. Grandparents are being asked to only see their grandchildren through windows and screens. Moms of littles must dig deep to find new levels of patience and creativity. We are not being sent to war, but we—all of us—are surely being asked to fight.”
‘Should we take our kids to China with us, or drop them in the US?’ The mood on the plane was somber.’: Expats make it back to China to begin quarantine, ‘We’ve been forced to realize just how lucky we are’
“We had fears and doubts in the back of our minds about what would be best for our family. It was in Dubai we discovered there were a few families in our gated community who had been infected, and to add salt to the wound, we discovered my daughter and I had picked up lice. The situation was almost comical at that point.”
‘Did you think we were ‘lucky’ to stay in bed while you go to work? Reach out to us.’: Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva warrior says, ‘Check on the people you know who have to stay home for disabilities’
“How have you viewed their lifestyles? Are you already starting to get bored at home even though it hasn’t been that long yet? Think of those who were already isolated away from society, and those who will continue staying inside long after the pandemic ends.”
‘I watched friends celebrate, while I was robbed of living life. The Internet is a blessing and a curse.’: Woman with Cystic Fibrosis gives tips on how to survive quarantine, ‘The limits are endless’
“One issue a lot of people face is in their time of solitude, they may be confronted with the fact that being by yourself is frightening. Your mind needs to become comfortable being alone. There will be no distraction. Your inner-monologue will inevitably be louder and more present than it ever has before.”
‘These dang ghosts are out of control. They’re flying around making everyone sick!’ I don’t want to lie, but I want her to feel safe.’: Single dad finds creative ways to keep daughter calm during pandemic
“When we dawn our Ghostbusters suits, we feel we have a sense of control over the mayhem.”
‘My condition has no cure. Stopping treatment due to the coronavirus is not an option.’: Pityriasis lichenoides chronica patient details impact of pandemic, ‘I cannot stay home and self-contain’
“My nurse said, ‘I still have a packed schedule.’ I cannot stay home and self-contain.”
‘Mexicans and blacks have children just to get a check.’ Imagine how this makes my kids feel.’: Mom of mixed-race foster kids describes racism, ‘If you look for love, you will find it’
“I came back from lunch to find a small, heart-shaped box of chocolates from my mom’s boyfriend. I felt so special! Teachers replied with disgust, ‘We don’t want OUR children exposed to that.’ It wasn’t long before it was all over town that a black man had the audacity to give a little white girl candy.”
‘Girl, are you crazy?’ I told the midwife I was having a baby on my own. ‘A child needs a mother AND father in their life.’: Single mom by choice births baby solo, ‘Every time I look at him, I see infinite love looking back’
“’I feel I’m destined to be without a partner. I’ve heard about women deciding to have children on their own, it’s something I may try.’ It broke my heart when I heard about conversations they had behind my back. ‘In order to grow up well rounded, a child needs a mother AND a father in their life.’ I struggled with those words for three years.”
“’I feel I’m destined to be without a partner. I’ve heard about women deciding to have children on their own, it’s something I may try.’ It broke my heart when I heard about conversations they had behind my back. ‘In order to grow up well rounded, a child needs a mother AND a father in their life.’ I struggled with those words for three years.”
‘I love you, and I promise I will be back.’ My son looked up in terror as they carried me out. I came to the horrifying realization I made a bold promise.’: Woman survives Ewing’s Sarcoma, leg amputation, ‘Life is too short to not do what makes you happy’
“I was crying and screaming as they carried me out. ‘You’re exaggerating and pain pill seeking.’ I only had a week to get my affairs in order. I made sure my son would remember me.”