Family & kids

From the joyous chaos of playtime to the heartwarming moments of familial love, the "Family & Kids" section invites you to explore the many facets of family life. It's a space dedicated to sharing stories, advice, and insights about familial bonds that make life meaningful and fulfilling.

Here you can find a variety of topics, each shedding light on the complex and beautiful dynamics of family life. You'll read stories that highlight parenting trials and triumphs, offering perspectives from different walks of life and diverse family structures. Here, we celebrate the unconventional and embrace the unique, recognizing that every family has its own story to tell.

In the "Family & Kids" section, we believe in the importance of lifelong learning. You'll find thought-provoking articles that challenge common misconceptions and encourage open discussion about topics that matter. From understanding the benefits of sleeping in separate beds to navigating the complexities of sibling relationships, we aim to provide you with a fresh look at family dynamics.

Safety and well-being are paramount to us. We share tips and insights from experts that can help ensure your loved ones' safety. Whether it's a swimming instructor warning about the dangers of a seemingly harmless habit or a story highlighting the importance of DNA testing, our articles are designed to inform and educate.

As we explore the world of parenting, we also delve into the joys and challenges of raising children. From celebrity parenting styles to the awe-inspiring resilience of parents searching for their lost child, our articles encapsulate the breadth of experiences that shape the journey of parenthood.

In the spirit of inclusivity, we also shine a light on controversial topics that spark important conversations about parenting decisions. We believe in creating a platform for open dialogue, where everyone can share their views and learn from others.

Overall, the "Family & Kids" section is a celebration of family life in all its forms. It's a space where you can immerse yourself in stories that inspire, educate, and provoke thought. No matter what your family looks like, we hope that our content will resonate with you, offering a deeper understanding of the dynamics that make family life both challenging and rewarding.

Join us as we explore the intricate tapestry of family life, diving into stories that capture the essence of love, resilience, and the undeniable bond that ties us together.

Recent Stories of Family & kids

17 Families Who Came Up With Traditions That Are Impossible Not to Love

17 Families Who Came Up With Traditions That Are Impossible Not to Love
hour ago

Almost every family has its own special rituals and traditions. For example, in one family it is customary to watch animated series together, and it is watching them together that helps them avoid long quarrels. And in another family, it is customary to remember 3 nice moments that happened during the day before going to bed.

I Excluded My DIL’s Son From Our Theme Park Trip

I Excluded My DIL’s Son From Our Theme Park Trip
8 hours ago

Family relationships can get complicated, especially when blended households and different expectations come into play. What feels fair to one person can seem deeply hurtful to another, and small misunderstandings can quickly grow into major conflicts. Recently, we received a letter from a reader who shared her experience of facing this exact kind of challenge during a family outing.

I Quit Working at 52—and Told My Adult Children I Won’t Be Their ATM

I Quit Working at 52—and Told My Adult Children I Won’t Be Their ATM
day ago

A reader wrote to us about the moment she decided to step away from her high-stress career — and from an even heavier burden: constantly acting as the family bank for her grown kids. Her story shows just how hard it can be to set financial boundaries at home, and the emotional fallout that often comes with it.

I Won’t Talk to My MIL After My FIL Passed Away, Even Though She Was My Second Mom

I Won’t Talk to My MIL After My FIL Passed Away, Even Though She Was My Second Mom
day ago

Family relationships can be complicated, especially when roles shift suddenly. One day, the people who supported you are leaning on you instead, and you’re left questioning how much you can give without losing yourself. One of our readers, Emily (38, F), shared a story about her mother-in-law that explores loyalty, guilt, and the limits of caregiving.

My Ex-Husband Wants to Walk Our Daughter Down the Aisle but He Wasn’t There for Her

My Ex-Husband Wants to Walk Our Daughter Down the Aisle but He Wasn’t There for Her
14 hours ago

A mother’s heartbreaking dilemma starts with a knock at the door: her ex-husband, who was an absent father for two decades, wants to walk their daughter down the aisle. This wedding conflict is an explosive family drama about a mother’s pain and a daughter’s dream, creating a powerful look at reconnecting with a dad who disappeared.

My Dad Remarried Someone My Age and Expects Us to Be Friends

My Dad Remarried Someone My Age and Expects Us to Be Friends
18 hours ago

“Recently, I lost my mom. I knew that my life wouldn’t be the same anymore, but I didn’t expect it to flip that much.” When our reader’s dad remarried someone her age, he expected them to bond like family. But after her new “mom” crossed a line, Bella couldn’t stay quiet. How can she navigate this new family dynamic when it feels like she is losing her dad, too?

Trending stories of Family & kids

I Refuse to Pay for My Stepdaughter’s Pool Party, I’m Not an ATM

I Refuse to Pay for My Stepdaughter’s Pool Party, I’m Not an ATM
month ago

Stepparents often face the challenge of being taken for granted, especially when their efforts go unappreciated. One stepmom, Melissa, found herself in this exact situation when her 16-year-old stepdaughter crossed a line. Feeling manipulated and unappreciated, Melissa decided it was time to impose a reality check. Here’s her story.

My MIL Humiliated Me in Public Over My Curves—So I Gave Her a Show She Won’t Forget

My MIL Humiliated Me in Public Over My Curves—So I Gave Her a Show She Won’t Forget
month ago

Family relationships can be full of love—but they can also come with tension, especially when personalities clash. Sometimes, it’s hard to know when to keep the peace and when to stand up for yourself. In-laws, traditions, and unspoken expectations can all add pressure to sensitive situations. One of our readers recently wrote to us about a painful moment with her mother-in-law that left her questioning whether she had gone too far by standing her ground.

My Parents Took My Inheritance Away Because I’m Childless—Now They’re Begging for Forgiveness

My Parents Took My Inheritance Away Because I’m Childless—Now They’re Begging for Forgiveness
month ago

Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging connections we have in life. Expectations, traditions, and personal choices often collide, sometimes creating painful misunderstandings or conflicts. Many people struggle to balance their own happiness with the hopes their loved ones have for them, which can lead to moments of tension and growth. Recently, we received a heartfelt letter from a reader who wanted to share her personal experience of facing such a situation with her family.

My Sister and BIL Treated My Home Like a Free Hotel—Then Crossed Every Boundary

My Sister and BIL Treated My Home Like a Free Hotel—Then Crossed Every Boundary
month ago

Family is often seen as a safe haven where love, support, and trust are supposed to thrive. But what happens when those bonds are tested by selfishness and manipulation? Dominic, who is one of our readers, found himself in a nightmare after opening his home to his sister and brother-in-law (BIL) in a time of need. The situation quickly escalated into a web of lies and broken promises, leaving him feeling betrayed and trapped in a family drama he never anticipated.

I Refuse to Put My Husband’s Name on My House Deed, He Moved in With Just a Toothbrush

I Refuse to Put My Husband’s Name on My House Deed, He Moved in With Just a Toothbrush
month ago

We recently received a letter from one of our readers, Maria. She shared how she bought her home all on her own, before marriage, without help, without shortcuts. A place she earned with hard work and sacrifice.Now, years later, her husband suddenly decided that, as her spouse, his name deserves to be on the deed, despite never having paid a cent toward it. Maria said no, calmly and reasonably.But what the husband did after that wasn’t just a disagreement — this was a flashing, screaming red flag.⬇️ Read Maria’s full story and decide for yourself.

I Refused to Share My Son’s Inheritance With My Stepson—My Husband Made Me Pay

I Refused to Share My Son’s Inheritance With My Stepson—My Husband Made Me Pay
month ago

Family relationships can be complicated, especially when blended families and finances are involved. Topics like money, loyalty, and parenting often stir up strong emotions and difficult choices. When boundaries aren’t clearly defined, even the closest families can face serious conflicts. Recently, a woman shared her personal experience with Bright Side after a disagreement with her husband over her son’s inheritance sparked a heated family dispute.

I Refuse to Be My MIL’s Free Maid, Especially After She Called Me “Barren”

I Refuse to Be My MIL’s Free Maid, Especially After She Called Me “Barren”
month ago

Mothers-in-law aren’t exactly something you get to pick while getting married. Some people luck out and end up with a second mom. Others get dragged into endless drama, weird competitions, and mind games straight out of a soap opera.One woman turned to Reddit to share her absolutely outrageous experience with her mother-in-law — and trust us, it’s one for the books. The woman is infertile, and her MIL twisted that painful truth into a weapon, claiming her daughter-in-law was “born to serve” her.The way this story blows up in the end? You won’t see it coming. Read on and let us know in the comments: how would you have handled it?

I Split My Daughter’s Inheritance With My Other Daughter—Now My Family Is Ruined

I Split My Daughter’s Inheritance With My Other Daughter—Now My Family Is Ruined
week ago

Family money matters often stir strong emotions, especially when children and fairness are involved. What begins as a well-intentioned decision can quickly turn into conflict, resentment, and even legal trouble. These stories show how fragile trust can be when finances and relationships collide. Recently, a reader reached out to Bright Side with a letter about a dramatic situation involving her daughter’s inheritance and the fallout that followed.

Best of the Week of Family & kids

My DIL Banned Me From My Own Son’s Birthday Party While He Backed Her Up

My DIL Banned Me From My Own Son’s Birthday Party While He Backed Her Up
2 weeks ago

Family celebrations should bring loved ones together, not create devastating divisions that tear relationships apart. When you pour your heart, time, and money into making someone’s special day perfect, the last thing you expect is to be excluded from the very event you helped create. Some daughters-in-law cross lines that should never be crossed, turning their husbands against their own mothers. Watching your adult child stand by silently while you’re being humiliated often hurts more than the betrayal itself.

Monthly Top Picks of Family & kids

My SIL Wanted My Husband to Divorce Me Over My Illness, I Showed Her Who’s Really Sick

My SIL Wanted My Husband to Divorce Me Over My Illness, I Showed Her Who’s Really Sick
month ago

For over two months, this woman has been battling a medical condition, relying on her husband for everything. And he’s been nothing short of amazing. But suddenly, her brother’s wife wouldn’t stop planting seeds of doubt, insisting that men always leave sick women. Her constant jabs weren’t just annoying, they were cruel.Until one night, the woman couldn’t take it anymore. And she gave her SIL a taste of her own medicine. What she said made her SIL cry and had the whole family demanding an apology. Wanna know what happened? Read the full story. We bet you’ll have an opinion, too!

My DIL Used My Grandkids to Get Money From Me—She Needs a Harsh Reality Check

My DIL Used My Grandkids to Get Money From Me—She Needs a Harsh Reality Check
month ago

Our reader, Oscar, is stuck between his love for his grandkids and the realization that his daughter-in-law might be manipulating him. Is it time to stop giving money or continue to support them for his son’s sake? How much should parents be involved in their adult children’s lives? Check out his story to see what happens next.

My Stepsister Brought No Gift to My Daughter’s Party—Then She Tore My Family Apart

My Stepsister Brought No Gift to My Daughter’s Party—Then She Tore My Family Apart
month ago

Family gatherings are supposed to be moments of joy and connection. But what happens when old wounds and unspoken resentments surface and threaten to tear everything apart? Leona from Kansas City planned a magical party for her daughter Poppy, dreaming of creating happy memories. Instead, she found herself caught in the middle of family drama she never expected, all triggered by her stepsister’s unexpected actions. This story reveals how complicated family dynamics can be and how difficult it is to balance kindness with boundaries when emotions run high.

My Fiancé Died—and His Family Erased Me From Their Life

My Fiancé Died—and His Family Erased Me From Their Life
month ago

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we can endure. But what happens when, after the loss, the people closest to that person start acting in ways that only deepen the pain? Today, we’re sharing Emily’s heartbreaking story about losing her fiancé Jake—and then facing a shocking challenge from his own family. Read on to understand her struggle and reflect on what it really means to hold onto memories and promises.

I Refuse to Help My Sick Mom—Even If She Calls Me Heartless

I Refuse to Help My Sick Mom—Even If She Calls Me Heartless
month ago

Not long ago, I was the one struggling, reaching out for support from my mom. Now it’s her on the other end of the line: ill, devastated, and alone, but I refuse to lend her a hand. Not out of spite, but because I think it’s the right decision.

My MIL Embarrassed My Son but Karma Had My Back

My MIL Embarrassed My Son but Karma Had My Back
month ago

A lot of MILs disagree with their sons’ decisions to marry a certain woman. Some MILs could feel threatened by this new woman or simply believe she’s not up to standard. In this case, Emily faces off an entitled MIL who thinks her son only married her because she was pregnant rather than for love.