Category Archive

Families

Our sister site Offbeat Mama launched in 2009, became Offbeat Families in 2012, and was merged into Offbeat Home & Life in 2015. This archive contains all the posts ever published on those sites! We believe that while children change your life forever, being around kids doesn’t necessitate abandoning your identity. We believe in supporting and inspiring parents and caregivers who are moving beyond mainstream visions of parenting. We welcome anyone who’s interested in families, whether you’re pre-parental, in the process of becoming a parent, or choosing to live childfree.

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How are you going to talk about drugs with your kids?

Here’s how I think about a drug like marijuana: it can be fun, but it’s by no means a path to greater enlightenment.

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My son’s flirting with The Dark Side: why we’re evicting Star Wars from our home

One quick glance at our Star Wars archives will tell you something: I’m obsessed. My husband is obsessed, and our two-year-old was obsessed — until we took the movies and paraphernalia out of the house. Completely.

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Family + Museum + Friend taking pictures from a balcony = MAGIC!

Hanging out at an art museum anytime soon? Maybe it’ll be the perfect place to snap spontaneous family photos!

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I’m a first-time foster mom… at 53

Sheryl and her partner became first-time foster parents in their fifties. And you thought having a newborn in your twenties could be rough!

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My teenage sister thinks she might be gay. How can I best support her?

Nadia’s teen sister recently confided that she feels attracted to females — how can Nadia best support her sister?

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How libraries shaped my motherhood

When my baby was born, he and I became library story time regulars. In a little room with a disfigured Hungry Caterpillar mural and stained carpet, I learned the Portuguese lullaby I still sing my boys at night and at least six ways my knees could be horses.

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Libraries: the new go-to destination for maternity photos

Tenley Clark took her maternity session to the happiest place on the planet…and it’s not Disney.

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What can we do to get our pets ready for a new kid in the house?

So, you’ve got a baby or new child coming into your home — how do you get your pets ready?