A Mother

What 'suicide awareness' means to the parent of a suicidal child
A harrowing account of what it's like trying to save your child from suicide, and the toll it takes on everyone involved.
A harrowing account of what it's like trying to save your child from suicide, and the toll it takes on everyone involved.
We asked a mother to share what it's like when your child is severely anxious.
For many, Mother's Day isn't a day of celebration. Here, a mother explains why she finds Mother's Day so tough.
Today, the Sunday before Mother's Day, is recognised by some as 'Birth Mother's Day'. Here a mother writes in celebration of the woman who gave birth to her son.
A mother writes of her journey of love and loss in this beautiful personal essay about trying to raise children around addiction.
Whenever the media covers a high profile case of sexual assault there's a chorus saying the survivor should have gone to the police or their parents. The latest example: the sexual assault allegations in relation to last month's Labour Party youth camp. Writing anonymously, a survivor explains why such comments are so unhelpful.
The only Pasifika woman on a school board talks about the dangers of a lack of diversity on school boards – and makes a plea for other parents to support their schools.
Behind closed doors, and in public facing judgement and contempt, mothers and fathers are doing their best to support their children through anxiety and other mental health issues. Here is one mother's story.
While you are reading this a mother somewhere in the country is making the heartbreaking decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy. Continuing our series of real stories of abortion, one mother shares what it's like to have a termination for medical reasons.
A mother shares her story of growing up around marijuana, and using marijuana now she is a parent herself.
A public referendum on legalising cannabis for personal use may be held by the 2020 election as part of a possible agreement between the Green and Labour parties. One mother shares her own story to explain why she's desperately hoping legalisation won't happen.
How would you earn your living if you and your child had a severe disability? One mother shares how she has found a job that makes her life just a little easier.
When this mother gave birth, her daughter was unable to breathe on her own – for 11 long, agonising minutes. These days she has a different attitude to the developmental milestones that many parents take for granted.
As we near the end of Pride Month, the Spinoff Parents is sharing some stories from Rainbow families. First off, a story of getting pregnant from a lesbian couple who wish to remain anonymous.
A mother writes about surviving and escaping an emotionally abusive relationship, to encourage others to find help should they need it.
Think your rental situation is tough? Try living with a chronic medical condition in a dark, mould-infested dump - and with a child to care for. One anonymous renter tells her story.
More than 13,000 abortions were performed in New Zealand last year, yet the reasons why women have one remain largely hidden. One reason for the secrecy: the stigma of abortion, exacerbated by its inclusion in the Crimes Act, a situation PM Bill English says he has no interest in rectifying. Here one anonymous mother explains why an abortion was the right choice for her.
This is what depression does. It feeds you lies.' In this anonymous post, a mother talks about how her journey through postnatal depression and out the other side – and implores us to talk about it to save other parents going through the same thing.
An anonymous mother shares her story of marrying a man who has donated sperm multiple times – and the ongoing impact of decisions made more than a decade ago.