“I learned quickly how much society attributes a woman’s self-worth to her childbearing abilities.”
‘I refused to go to church on Mother’s Day because I couldn’t bear it.’: Woman opens up about infertility struggles, ‘It is not a big, bad secret’
‘Scott was in bed Googling autism. ‘This is me, isn’t it?’: Mom urges ‘radical’ acceptance after whole family diagnosed with autism, ADHD
“I was now the only neurotypical person in the house.”
‘I wondered why on EARTH I thought it was a good idea to have a child.’: Woman opens up about postpartum depression, anxiety, ‘Mamas, please know you aren’t alone’
“From a painful pregnancy which had me dealing with a SLEW of crap, to a traumatic emergency C-section 10 days after my due date, I thought the worst was over. But I couldn’t have been MORE wrong.”
‘His tiny body was suspended between her arms and mine. The silence seemed too BIG for the hospital room.’: Adoptive parents create community to bring multicultural education into homes, give flowers to expectant mothers
“Our mighty guy picked flowers from our garden to give to his birth mom. He hugged her, celebrated his 2nd year of life with her, and basked in the attention of so many people who love him. I’m grateful.”
‘If I paid more attention, ate healthier, and drank less wine, maybe things would have played out differently.’: Mom details miscarriages, infertility journey, ‘I’ll never take my title of mama for granted’
“Some people think it’s SO easy. They think to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and have a baby is like baking a cake. Sadly, it isn’t.”
‘Where is your husband?!’ I took the kids to a party less than 48 hours after giving birth, newborn in one arm, champagne in the other.’: Mom overcomes affair and alcoholism for her kids
“I earned points by doing things he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted: cleaning the condo, home-cooked meals, editing his work emails, sexual favors. When I hit 1,000 points, he asked me to marry him. For him, it meant ‘I control you.’”
‘There’s nothing there.’ The tumor was breaking the bone from the inside out, but nobody believed me.’: Woman survives ‘invisible’ nervous system attack, shares mental health journey
“I lost every friend I had. Nobody would speak to me. I dreaded going to school, I just wanted to sleep. I hated myself for the pain and worry I caused my family.”
‘Laundry doesn’t care if someone dies or not.’ In a world where ‘busy’ is a success, grieving people get a hall pass.’: Mom, widow urges ‘time truly is all we have’
“The truth is, grief changes you. I live with urgency because I know what it’s like to have everything I hoped for taken in an instant.”
‘She opened her arms and reached out to us for a big hug. Our hearts melted.’: After pregnancy losses, couple finds ‘pure love’ in adopting 5 daughters
“She had been waiting for us every bit as much as we had been waiting for her. Our family has kept growing ever since.”
‘Her birth parents changed their minds.’ The call ripped us apart. ‘She’s coming to pick her up.’: Woman shares journey with infertility, adoption, foster care, urges ‘you will make it to the other side’
‘I woke up and decided to take a pregnancy test. I couldn’t explain it. Almost immediately, two lines showed up. Then, my phone started ringing. I looked down and saw our social worker from our adoption agency was calling.”