My sisters are screaming!
Finally, a dance I was once used too
Rusty in all things,
Like these dishes I’m sure no one has touched
But, I am a guest
But, no one cares
This bed couldn’t have possibly fit me!
But, it loosens where it needs too
I miss our old dog,
Which? We’ve seen a few come and go
Lola. Much needed at the foot of my bed.
Mother. We pass each other, little words
I’m back.
Youngest sister, let’s argue!
I’m far more advanced in the art of angering
Middle, shaking her head
In the middle of us, how fitting
My stomach is grumbling!
Finally, food my body was used too.
I love it all,
I hate it all,
Need more time to explore my old town
Need less time to recollect,
Let’s leave,
Let’s go back in time,
Let’s just call it what it is
An old home.
About the Creator
Jay,when I write
Hello.
What?
23, Black, queer, yup
Keep reading
More stories from Jay,when I write and writers in Families and other communities.
Guiding Families Toward Emotional Strength with Professor Carlton Jama Adams
Parenting in the modern era can feel overwhelming. Families are raising children amid constant digital engagement, heightened academic pressure, and growing conversations around emotional health and identity. These influences shape daily life and often leave parents questioning whether they are doing enough or doing it right. In the midst of this uncertainty, the family centered perspective shared by Professor Carlton Jama Adams offers clarity. His approach emphasizes emotional awareness, steady structure, and respectful guidance as the foundation for raising confident and resilient children.
By Carlton Adams6 days ago in Families
How Positive Discipline Transformed My Child’s Emotional World
Parenting is often described as a journey of love, patience, and learning. For me, however, it felt more like a constant emotional test. I remember days filled with tension, misunderstandings, and moments where I questioned whether I was truly helping my child grow emotionally—or unintentionally causing harm. Like many parents, I once believed that discipline meant control. I relied on firm rules, consequences, and raised voices when things went wrong. My intention was never to hurt, but to teach. Yet the more I tried to “correct” my child’s behavior, the more distant and reactive they became. Something was clearly missing. That missing piece turned out to be positive discipline. Understanding Behavior as Communication One of the most important lessons I learned is that children don’t misbehave without reason. Behavior is often a form of communication, especially when children lack the language to express complex emotions. Instead of asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” I began asking, “What is my child trying to tell me?” This shift completely changed my parenting approach. I started observing patterns rather than reacting emotionally. I noticed that outbursts often followed moments of overwhelm, tiredness, or frustration. My child wasn’t being difficult—they were struggling. Replacing Punishment with Connection Positive discipline does not mean the absence of rules. It means enforcing boundaries with empathy instead of fear. Here are some changes I implemented: I acknowledged emotions before correcting behavior I spoke calmly, even during emotional moments I explained expectations instead of assuming understanding I focused on problem-solving rather than blame For example, instead of saying, “Stop crying right now,” I learned to say, “I see that you’re upset. Let’s talk about what happened.” This small change had a powerful effect. My child felt seen instead of judged. The Impact on Mental Health Before positive discipline, our home environment felt tense. Emotional reactions escalated quickly, and both of us carried stress long after conflicts ended. Over time, I noticed signs of emotional strain—not just in my child, but in myself. Positive discipline created emotional safety. When children feel safe, their nervous systems can relax. This allowed my child to: express emotions more clearly calm down faster after frustration build confidence in handling challenges For me, it reduced anxiety and parental guilt. I stopped feeling like every mistake was a failure and started viewing them as learning opportunities. Teaching Emotional Regulation, Not Fear Traditional discipline often relies on fear-based compliance. Positive discipline focuses on skill-building. Through everyday interactions, my child learned: how to name emotions how to pause before reacting how to repair mistakes through communication Instead of avoiding punishment, my child began developing genuine self-awareness. This was a major emotional breakthrough. Strengthening the Parent–Child Bond One of the most unexpected outcomes was how much our relationship improved. Trust replaced tension. Conversations became easier. Even difficult moments felt manageable because they no longer threatened our emotional connection. Positive discipline taught me that authority and compassion can coexist. Respect doesn’t come from control—it grows from consistency, empathy, and presence. What I Wish I Had Known Earlier If I could speak to my past self, I would say this: Parenting is not about perfection Children need guidance, not domination Emotional intelligence is just as important as obedience Positive discipline didn’t just change my child’s behavior—it changed how we relate to each other on a deeper emotional level. Final Thoughts for Parents Every child deserves to feel understood. Every parent deserves tools that support both discipline and emotional well-being. Positive discipline offered us a path where growth replaced guilt, and connection replaced conflict. The transformation wasn’t instant, but it was real—and it continues to shape our emotional world every day.
By Zia Djamelabout 11 hours ago in Families
The Lesions of Devotion
Every day I set myself down on the freshly cut lawn and strip myself bare. I take my guitar and finger the frets and pick at the strings, listening for dissonance. My life is dissonance. I twist the tuning pegs until each string sounds bright. Then I kneel, calves pointing behind me, kneecaps facing forward. All exposed to the breeze. I close my eyes and play the melody.
By Paul Stewart2 days ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.