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Bullied 6th Grader’s Tears Turn to Joy After Community Rallies to Sign His Yearbook

Brody Ridder's Yearbook Heartbreak The end of the school year...

Friend Says “Of All People, You Should Get Why Someone Would Abort a Cleft Baby”—Dad’s Reply Is Perfect

"My ‘friend’ said, ‘Come on, of all people, you should get why someone would want to abort a cleft baby.’ That shocked me. Why would he think that?"

During a Kitchen Dance Party, Foster Mom Hears Heartfelt Words: ‘I Miss My Other Daddy’

"I felt the tug on my sleeve and looked down to find him standing motionless. His mouth was moving but I couldn’t make out his words. His quiet body in the noisy room caught me off guard. I bent down to find his voice."

Tara Ahrens

Tara Ahrens, from Fort Wayne, IN is a “regular ol’ mom” of 4 spirited, messy, hilarious children. The boys are 16 and 15, the girls are 10.5 (because that 1/2 year matters, Mom) and 6. This is her first time in 17 years that she has not had a little human at home, bossing her around all day, as the little one is off to Kindergarten. She has been married to a boy she met in 3rd grade for 17.5 years. They are a foster family for For the Love of a Boxer boxer rescue. They enjoy squishing everyone into small vehicles and driving across the county to camp and explore our National Parks. Now that she finally has some time to herself, Tara enjoys cottage gardening, restoring their old home, and reading books, wearing a pile of cats (4, rescues). She is passionate about raising kids who are people of principle but more importantly, people of change. See more from Tara on her blog.

Why My Teenage Boys Carry a Tampon and Pad in Their Backpacks

"One thing is clear: Menstruation is still a major gender taboo that we have not let go of. But I’m doing my best to raise men who see past it."