“‘When can I talk to you again?’ I found him to be goofy and endearing. Playing basketball one afternoon turned into hanging out after work a few times a week. We began investing in his life outside of work. He started going to church with us and hanging out at our house on weekends. Our kids call him their big brother.”
‘When you meet him, good luck.’ Suddenly, I heard yelling. There he was – this short, scrawny kid. He changed my life in ways I never could have imagined.’: Foster mom talks mentoring teen in foster care, ‘He is part of our family’
‘I didn’t know it would be this hard. I feel like a failure on a daily basis. I give my all, and constantly wonder if it’s enough.’: Mom says ‘this is the most important job I’ll ever have’
“And yet, there’s nothing more breathtaking than learning to be your mama. Raising you is the most important job I’ll ever have. I didn’t know I could love like this.”
‘He probably needed a break. I took her from him and sent him to go get some time and space alone. I took over the parenting responsibilities.’: Mom of seven details ‘parental regret,’ urges ‘be honest about it’
“I snapped a pic, walked over, and took her from him. This photo sums up why I don’t regret becoming a parent.”
‘We did it. We went to the advertised ‘free, fresh, hot meals’ drive-thru at a local church. She said, ‘I’m so glad you came!’: Single mom recounts ‘act of service’ from local church
“She asked how many meals we needed, and I stated there were five of us. Then added, ‘These meals aren’t much, but they are warm and I hope it helps.’ I couldn’t even make it out of the parking lot. I pulled into an empty stall—tears suddenly streaming down my face.”
‘What will everyone think of me?’ I was a naïve 16-year-old, browsing ‘symptoms of pregnancy.’ I knew the only option was adoption.’: Teen mom details pregnancy and adoption journey, reunites with daughter 20 years later
“‘No, it hasn’t been long enough. I haven’t had enough time with her.’ I watched them drive away with her. I would always have this love for her, a love a mother carries for their child. I would always see the best of everything in her. She was the only perfect thing I have ever done. I never stopped missing her.”
‘My husband owed the store 53 cents. The cashier reached into her pocket and said, ‘Nope. It’s okay. I’ve got this.’: Woman details stranger’s act of kindness, ‘There is no act too small this week’
“We have a choice on how we move forward this week — with kindness or with hatred.”
‘My baby is supposed to be with you.’ I thought it was a scam. She had every right to keep him.’: Couple battling infertility pursue open adoption, ‘It’s been so beautiful’
“I told my husband, ‘I’m almost out of hope.’ Then an expectant mother reached out to us. It didn’t seem real. I should have felt relief and joy, but what if she changed her mind?”
‘I’m so happy my daddy isn’t sick anymore.’ She knew what addiction was before I ever explained to her.’: Recovered addict explains why you must ‘put yourself first’
“You have to put yourself first. Because if you don’t, they’ll spend their entire lives looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places.”
‘There are THREE babies in there.’ I yelled, ‘No there’s not!’ I couldn’t see all the blessings yet.’: Mom of 2 surprised with triplets, ‘My heart is full’
“I started crying, laughing, swearing, and apologizing. Suddenly, I was out-armed and out-boobed. I had more babies growing inside of me than I had Earthside! We were embarking on a very unique journey.”
‘You’re just lazy. Breast is best.’ People who didn’t even know me bashed my decision. I choose to react with kindness.’: Mom promises to ‘teach my babies to love your babies’
“Breast versus bottle. Co-sleeping versus crib. Screen time versus no screen time. The list goes on and on. This year, we’ve seen so much hate. Kindness begins at home.”