An older sister shoulders a lot of responsibility. Whether they’ve got a few years of seniority or there’s a big age gap, big sis often gets stuck with playing chauffeur or doing a million other things for the little ones. But when push comes to shove, the pain in the butt of having a younger sibling is instantly replaced with fierce loyalty the moment they need an advocate. A Washington woman was navigating another set…
The thrill of throwing a party often comes with a side of anxiety: we want to make sure everything looks perfect, all the right snacks are out for noshing, and all the guests will show. Unfortunately, when those details don’t fall in line, a happy celebration can quickly turn into a horrific heartbreak. When an Oregon mom threw her son’s very first friends-only birthday party, she was ecstatic to celebrate her little angel. Things quickly…
Over the past decade, the culture has become more open to discussing issues surrounding gender identity. Trans and non-binary people are finding their voices and using them to demand the same respect and acceptance as anyone else. When one mom noticed her child behaving in a way that raised some questions, she convinced herself they were only going through a phase. But when her child took a desperate action she could no longer ignore, the…
For too many parents each year, the nightmare of hearing the words “your child has cancer” becomes a reality. How to cope, let alone explain the gravity of a terminal illness to a kid, is a pivotal question that comes without a guidebook. Should you cash in your savings and create some lasting memories? Or do you lace up your gloves and hunker down for an impossible fight? One Texas family received the worst news: their little…
There’s a good reason why almost every teen dreams of going to prom. It’s often one of the first nights they can come into their own and experience life as adults: with drivers, dancing, dates, and, of course, dresses. It’s the biggest event of their four years in high school! Unfortunately, the ultimate prom experience usually comes at a hefty price tag. People are expected to buy tickets, rent limousines and tuxes, and buy beautiful…
Family. It’s the first place we find love, and we carry it with us our whole lives. However, each one looks different from the next. We may picture a mom and dad, one to three children, and a pet to top it off, but the truth is any combination of people who love and care for each other can make up a family. When a young woman went on a trip to Uganda, she only…
The hospital can be a pretty scary place: doctors are talking to you with big science words, and you’re often stuck waiting around, getting poked and pricked. Not to mention, the nerves that come from not knowing what might happen next seem to grow by the minute. A Virginian teen named Taylor Givens learned this firsthand when something went terribly wrong with her heart. She needed professional help, and fast. But little did Taylor know…
Love it or hate it, prom is a milestone for every high school student. Parker Smith was looking forward to the big night, though he knew the night would require a fair amount of preparation. He’d have to rent a tuxedo, buy a corsage and boutonniere, and of course find a date. But then a monumental pre-prom task fell into his lap. If Parker had any hope of attending his senior prom, he would have…
To be truly happy in life, you should dedicate yourself to a passion project beneficial to more than just yourself. Some aim to bring spiritual enlightenment to loved ones through their religion, and others aim to improve their communities. But one girl from Louisiana has ambitions that might just benefit everyone—yep, everyone—on planet Earth. At three years old, a little girl watched a silly kid’s cartoon that inspired her to think beyond the world she lived…
Though the global telecoms of today have made communication possible from nearly anywhere, there are still those — such as the men and women of our military — whose ability to interact with friends and loved ones is hampered by their duty. While this distance can often strengthen and solidify relationships, it can also destroy them. When one U.S. Navy man suspected that his wife was hiding something big from him, she was able to…