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Noah Cyrus with her sister Miley Cyrus
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Noah Cyrus on Being Miley's Sister: "Unbearable"

Famous sisters always get compared to one other—hell, even non-famous sisters deal with some level of unhealthy comparison. That's the case with Miley Cyrus and her sister Noah Cyrus, who is 7 years her junior.While Miley rose to fame on the Disney Channel as Hannah Montana and later took the music scene by storm, in recent years Noah Cyrus began releasing music too. But back in May, while discussing the release of her EP, The End of Everything, Noah recalled emotionally what it was like to grow up as Miley Cyrus's little sister. “It was absolutely unbearable,” she said.“Whenever I was younger, there were a lot of comparisons and there were a lot of things said about me and the way I look that destroyed me becoming an adult,” Noah has said. That destroyed my view of myself. That wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t a public person since birth. That wasn’t my choice. I love my family but everybody has their issues. This was mine. It really f***ed me up.Noah CyrusNoah Cyrus was 'in the shadows' of sister MileyAlthough a talented musician on her own, Noah had trouble growing up with Billy Ray Cyrus as her dad and Miley as her older sister. Noah said she wrote the song, “Young and Sad,” based on the experience of growing up hidden in her sister’s “shadows.”The song goes a little something like this:“My sister's like sunshine / Always bringing good light wherever she'll go / And I was born to rain clouds / Blessed in her shadows.”That's why everybody always says to me, that no matter what, I was going to be in that shadow. And I always believed that, and that's so hard for me to overcome.Noah Cyrus“Being born in the family I was in, everybody gave me such a hard time for having a hard time being Miley's little sister, but I always felt like I was that person that no one gave a shit about due to what people said to me online,” she said, while shedding tears. Hopefully, now that she has been more open about her feelings, she is able to start healing from that early trauma. After all, opening up about one’s feelings, no matter how hard they are to express—and no matter how much judgement one might face for doing so—typically does wonders for the healing process.With all that said, Miley and Noah have a close relationship. Contrary to popular belief, there is no bitter rivalry. Sure, they’ve gone through tough times together, but who hasn't – both sisters are completely honest about that.Noah Cyrus and Miley Cyrus set an example for sisterhoodThese days, both Noah and Miley put out amazing music and bolster one another as they’re doing it.To date, Noah has released 2 EPs, 18 singles, and 4 promotional singles. Last January, for Noah’s birthday, Miley took to Instagram to showcase several of Noah’s singles in honour of her sister. But what garnered the most interest about Miley’s selection was her decision to share the artwork from “Love or Die,” Noah’s 2018 song with her now-ex, rapper Lil Xan. As a caption, Cyrus wrote, “Controversial to still love this song? Might delete later.” As the story goes, Noah dated Lil Xan from June to September 2018, and it was a complete hot mess of a drama within weeks, what with accusations of cheating flying both ways, and Lil Xan’s anxiety and drug use being far too much to handle. Miley has always stood up for her sis, claiming that Lil Xan did cheat on Noah, and then tried to turn it around by accusing her of the same. “It's sickening the way he’s trying to manipulate Noah and mess with her mind,” she said, adding that she wanted to help her sister get through the breakup, as that she's better off without him.When it comes to her sister's solo singing career, Miley has expressed real joy. “She didn’t even tell me that this was really happening all of a sudden, which I think she wanted to really do it on her own. So I’m really proud of her that she did. I think she really didn’t involve me as much… I think she just wanted to get out on her own two feet without this having anything to do with me.” In fact, Miley even got on TikTok and did some dancing to promote Noah's song “The End of Everything,” and Noah has done the same for Miley on multiple occasions. These are sisters who build each other up and offer support—in matters of heartbreak and music alike. Not to mention, Miley never took her sister’s expressions of hardship as the youngest in their family personally: she’s wise enough to know that it’s not about her. Impressively, these two have managed to be honest about their less than sunny feelings while still nurturing a close bond. I’d go one further and say that honesty makes you vulnerable, which in turn strengthens any bond that's worth having.Miley, having experienced life on the road as a musician for many years now, has said that Noah’s budding career has made her more relatable. “Now having someone that really understands how hard it can be when you’re away from home for a month, me and my little sister have a new bond over that,” she said.She loves me more now that she knows I do something. She always thought I do nothing and that I went to put two wigs on.Miley CyrusNow, it seems, that Noah gets firsthand how much time and energy goes into being famous, the sisters’ empathy for one another has only grown.Back in October, Noah took to Instagram to express how excited she was to have included a song with her big sister among the tracks on The End of Everything. “No one knows how happy and excited Miley and I are to be releasing something TOGETHER for our VERY FIRST TIME!!!! And it’s NOT the last,” she wrote. This collaboration is the ultimate result of a strong relationship among sisters who are both doing their darnedest to grow and evolve together, rather than separately.More inspiring celebrities:After Yet Another Breakup, Miley Cyrus Finally Realized Her One MistakeWhy Taylor Swift’s Secret Relationship With Joe Alwyn Proves She Finally Learned Her LessonHere’s what Jennifer Aniston Did When Her Ex John Mayer Attacked HerWhat Finally Convinced Jennifer Lopez That She Needed A Divorce From Marc Anthony

22-Year-Old Grandson Decides to Become His Grandmothers Caregiver After Refusing to Put Her in a Home
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22-Year-Old Grandson Decides to Become His Grandmothers Caregiver After Refusing to Put Her in a Home

At 29 years old, Chris Punsalan isn't exactly living a typical, free-wheeling 20-something life. While other people his age are hanging out with friends, partying, traveling, or chasing their dreams, he's at home — the primary caregiver for his 97-year-old grandmother. He's been taking care of his "Lola" for the past eight years. And while it's not a path that many (or let's face it, any) 20-somethings would choose, he wouldn't change a thing. How a 22-Year-Old Became the Full-Time Caregiver to His GrandmaIn 2015, Chris and his family, who live in Nevada but are originally from the Philippines, were faced with the difficult decision of what to do with his aging grandmother. Bedridden and suffering from severe arthritis and osteoporosis, she could no longer take care of herself. The family had two options: send her to an assisted care facility or hire a full-time caregiver. In his final semester of college, Chris didn't have any opportunities lined up after graduation. So, he decided who better to look after his beloved Lola than him? It was, after all, what she had done for him for years growing up. "She took care of me and I would hate to see her go to homecare, which is where I feel most grandparents go in America. They go to home care because nobody is able to take care of them."Chris PunsalanBarely an adult himself, Chris became her full-time caregiver. Anyone who has ever taken on the role of caregiver, even temporarily, knows it's not an easy task. It's extremely demanding, both physically and mentally. You are always putting the needs of someone else before your own. Chris spends his days doing everything for his bedridden grandmother, who was once an elementary teacher for more than 20 years. From toileting and diapering to meal time and bath time, he even makes certain that she does daily affirmations and exercises for her hands. Even Chris admits that it can be "extremely isolating." But despite the challenges, he has no plans to stop. The Unlikely Duo Go Viral A digital content creator and musician, Chris is passionate about preserving memories and has been sharing his life online since 2014. In 2019, he decided to give the world a glimpse into life as a caregiver. The short 57-second clip went insanely viral with over 6 MILLION VIEWS and he and Lola became overnight sensations. Turns out, people really love tuning in and following along on their journey. "I receive hundreds of messages daily from former, current, and future caregivers that tell me their stories and remind me that I am not alone on this journey."Chris PunsalanInspired by the reaction his initial video received, Chris decided to keep going and now he regularly shares about their daily activities and heartwarming interactions. He also posts a lot of helpful tips for others who find themselves in similar caregiving situations.And he doesn't hold anything back. Not only does he share the obvious joy and incredible bond the two share but he's very candid about the hard bits as well. Including bearing witness to his grandma's failing body and her fight with dementia.People love them so much that Chris has amassed nearly 5 million followers between TikTok, Instagram, and his YouTube channel. Chris didn't just change his grandma's life, he changed his own as well. And like his Lola, he doesn't take anything for granted. “My grandma is probably the most grateful person that I know. Anytime somebody helps her, anytime somebody hands her something, anytime something is happening with or to grandma, you can always guarantee a thank you at the end of it,” says Chris. “I think that's what makes her enjoy life so much is that she's grateful for everything. She can't move and she's bound to her bed. But because she's just extremely grateful for even the smallest things in life, it just makes her life more worth it.”Cherish Your Loved OnesWhile Chris may have discovered fame with his grandma, it's the precious time they have to spend together that means the most to him. He knows that the time they have together is finite and that for now, his life is best served serving her.And that's the biggest takeaway that Chris has learned over the years he's spent caring for his lola."Cherish your grandparents and cherish your loved ones in general," Chris says. "Life is so fragile. It's such a cliche to tell your loved ones you love them because you don't know the next time, you know, that you're gonna get to see them or get to spend time with them."The reality is that if we're lucky, the ones we love will grow old and so will we. And while not all of us are in a position to become full-time caregivers, we are all capable of cherishing and honoring our loved ones.More from Goalcast:Grandmother With Hungry Grandkids Asks to Speak to Manager – His Unexpected Reaction Is Recorded by a StrangerTeen Finds Out Her Grandmother Has Been Saving Pennies for Four Years – For One Very Special ReasonTeen Learns His Grandmother Has Only 6 Months to Live – Plots With His Sister to Make Her Last Moments Unforgettable

Man Explains Why He Refuses to Help His Wife and 4 Kids Around the House - And Strangers Are Praising Him for It
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Man Explains Why He Refuses to Help His Wife and 4 Kids Around the House - And Strangers Are Praising Him for It

It's no secret that when it comes to domestic duties such as childcare, cooking, and cleaning, women tend to take on the lion's share of the work, even when both partners are working full-time.To be fair, a lot of husbands do shoulder their fair share of the housework, however, let's face it, many do not. The domestic gender gap is REAL.So, when a husband took to TikTok to sound off on NOT HELPING his wife with chores and their four young children, people weren't exactly blown away by surprise. But what was unexpected was his reason why. And suddenly? This guy's gone from zero to hero in the eyes of 7 million people and counting. Why a Husband Doesn’t “Help” His Wife Around the HouseTexas UPS driver, J.R. Minton, grew up in a "traditional" household. His mom did typical "motherly" things while his dad brought home the bacon and left the domestic duties alone. But Minton's determined to do things differently. The father of four young kids ages one to seven, took to TikTok to share his message on partnership.His video, which has been viewed by millions, starts off with him contentiously stating, "I don't help my wife cook. I don't help her clean, do laundry, take care of the kids — none of that."Uh-huh. Or, as one commenter expressed, "I was ready to fight 😅👏🏾." (You and about 7 million other women, give or take.)But hold on a minute, Minton's not done. And another commenter's decision to hold her breath and "trust the algorithm" pays off. Because this is where he jumps the tracks and takes a hard left."Because I do what I am supposed to do as a father and a husband. I cook. I clean. I do the laundry. I take care of the kids. I can't help my wife do those things because they are my job too."J.R. Minton"Change the way you speak. Change the way you think and grow the f--- up and be a man," he adds. Mic drop.Husband’s TikTok Take On Sharing Responsibilities Goes Viral and People Are Loving ItResponse to Minton's video was swift, racking up 1.4 million likes and nearly 16,000 comments. People came out in droves, praising him for his perspective.On the flip side, however, it seems that many households still follow conventional gender norms and attitudes, with a number of men viewing doing basic duties as "helping" their partners. "Had to tell my husband stop saying, '…for your mother,' to the kids. Empty the dishwasher FOR ME? No. Those are everybody’s dishes." wrote one."My ex used to say 'I did the dishes for you.' FOR ME! Thanks and bu-bye," wrote another.Others revealed that when it comes to domestic labor, they're on their own. "My husband sometimes doesn’t even flush the toilet.""Not me seeing this while crying in the bathroom cause I'm just so damn exhausted."In a follow-up TikTok, Minton thanks his fans but warns that he's not some "unicorn." He's a husband and dad, just doing what his wife does every single day. A fact he had driven home during a recent trip to Target.“I was wearing the baby and I had two kids in the cart, and this lady comes up to Brittany and she’s like, ‘Oh my God. Is this your husband!? Look at him. You should take a picture of him,’” Minton told Today. “I get so much credit for doing nothing. How low is the bar?"Trust me, it's low. Society has a tendency to perceive moms and dads VERY differently. Fathers tend to get a lot more credit for showing up as parents in ways that moms are expected to do all the time. Marriage Is a PartnershipAs far as we have come in balancing the scales, the reality is that we still have a long way to go in shifting attitudes and achieving true equality where domestic labor is concerned. And science proves it. According to a recent study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics American Time Use Survey, women spend 37% more time doing domestic tasks than men. And if the woman happens to be bringing home the majority of the bacon? They're actually taking on an even greater share of the housework as per a study from the University of Bath.Obviously, as Minton proves, this isn't the case for every family. There are plenty of husbands and fathers who view their marriages in a similar light — as a partnership. Minton just hopes that his message hits home with the ones he thinks need to hear it. "When you're in a partnership with your spouse, it's not help," Minton said. "Everything is a shared responsibility in the house when it comes to taking care of each other's needs, the children's needs, especially the needs of the home."At the end of the day, every family needs to decide what works best for them. And when it comes to the division of domestic labor? It should be what is equitable and fair for both partners. More from Goalcast:Woman Learns Her Exhausted Co-worker Bikes Three Hours to Work – So She and Her Husband Come Up With a PlanWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s SonStrangers Accuse Kenyan Woman of Marrying Her Husband for Money – The Couple Hits Back With the Perfect Response

Dad Dumps 80,000 Pennies in Child Support on Estranged Daughters Lawn - Her Response Is Absolute Gold
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Dad Dumps 80,000 Pennies in Child Support on Estranged Daughters Lawn - Her Response Is Absolute Gold

When a dad in Virginia decided to celebrate his final child support payment for his daughter by paying it in PENNIES and dumping all 80,000 of them on his ex-wife's front lawn, his daughter proved who really has the "cents" in the family.Dad Dumps $800 Worth of Pennies in Daughter’s Yard in Cruel StuntPhoto by PixabayAccording to News 6 Richmond, the unnamed father "acted out of 18 years of pent-up frustration" when he rented a landscape trailer, filled it with pennies, and proceeded to dump them all over the yard of the home his daughter shares with her mother.Perhaps he should have considered taking up yoga instead."I just turned 18. When I was in the middle of class, my dad came by. He had rented a trailer," Avery Sanford, a senior in high school, told the news station."He pulled up in front of the house and turned the trailer on so it dumped out all the pennies on the grass and my mom came out and was like, 'What are you dumping in my yard?' She didn't know who it was until he shouted, 'It's your final child support payment.'"The whole bizarre incident was caught on the home's security camera.Understandably, Avery was shocked and extremely hurt by her father's actions. Despite not having seen him in years, it still packed a painful punch. And not just for her, but for her sister as well. “It is really hurtful and damaging to your kids when you do things like that,” her mother said. “And it doesn’t matter how old your kids are — it doesn’t matter if they’re a young child or an adult. The actions of your parents will always have some effect on you.”And while he obviously thought he got the last laugh, he thought wrong. How a Daughter Transformed a Painful Act Into Something GoodTurns out that in this case, the apple DOES fall far from the tree. Far far away. Instead of letting the weight of the situation break her, Avery chose to turn one bad deed into a force for good. After picking up every last penny, she and her mother decided to pay it forward.Together, they donated the money to Safe Harbor, a local domestic abuse center that supports survivors of human trafficking and sexual and domestic abuse. "Turning around and donating that money to moms and children in need, I feel like that really turns this situation into a positive," Avery shared. "You can learn from it."But that wasn't the end. It was actually just the beginning. Their actions triggered a tidal wave of giving.When people learned about her father's appalling behavior and Avery's response to it, donations to the center flooded in. That $800? Turned into over $47,000. "Our online donation page just blew up. And we've gotten over $47,000 worth of donations from locally, nationally, internationally -- as far as England and beyond," said Mary Maupai, Safe Harbor's development director.Kindness Always WinsIt also seems that Avery's father may be feeling the full weight of his 80,000-penny decision. In a phone interview with WTVR, he shared that his "emotions got the best of him" and “the last thing he wanted to do” was push his daughter further away.Unfortunately, that's exactly what he did.The sad reality is that Avery is not the only child to get caught in the crossfire of her warring parents. When it comes to acrimonious divorces, there is almost always collateral damage. But despite the emotional toll her father's actions took, Avery somehow managed to channel all of her hurt and anger into an amazing act of generosity. Rather than fight fire with fire, she chose love. And in doing so, taught us all a powerful lesson in fighting anger with kindness. And kindness? Always wins.More from Goalcast:Exhausted Dad of 4 Doesn’t Notice a Stranger Watching Him Closely at Work – Is Shocked When He Finds This Note on a BillBoy With Autism Walks Into Restaurant to Pick Up a Menu – When He Doesn’t Come Back, His Dad Finds Out What’s Going On8-Year-Old Driving With His Dad Insists on Pulling Over – His Next Move Is Being Praised by Strangers

Man Accuses Wife With Full Time Job of Doing Nothing Around the House - So After Getting Revenge, She Leaves for Vacation
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Man Accuses Wife With Full Time Job of Doing Nothing Around the House - So After Getting Revenge, She Leaves for Vacation

For some strange reason, things that are glaringly obvious to moms tend to be invisible to everyone else. Weird, I know.Things like the dirty dishes in the sink, or the ever-growing mountain of laundry, or that one lonely sock abandoned on the middle stair.And more often than not, moms will just deal with it and no one in the house is any wiser. In fact, moms are so good at being the "default" parent that oftentimes, their families are completely oblivious to just how much she does for them. Until she doesn't.After her husband accused her of “doing nothing around the house,” one mom decided to show him just how much “nothing” she really does. And unsurprisingly, it's A LOT.Mom Goes on Strike Photo by Ron LachA Connecticut mother of two recently went insanely viral on TikTok for going on "strike" after her husband, Brian, made a “totally spontaneous” complaint that she wasn't pulling her weight. Bless him. "The night he made the comment, I was getting the kids ready for bed, and he was cleaning up in the kitchen," Lindsay Donnelly told TODAY. "I noticed he was kind of grumpy and I was like, 'What's going on?' And that's when he made the comment about me doing nothing around the house."Rather than argue with him, she decided to teach him a much-needed lesson. For three days, Donnelly truly did NOTHING around the house. And the results are about as disastrous as you'd expect. Perfectly set to Taylor Swift’s Karma, Donnelly, 33, documented what happened after she silently quit all of it — the dirty dishes, the piles of laundry in the living room, the multiple messes literally everywhere. Over the course of three days, her once invisible labor became painfully, overwhelmingly visible.Then she left town on a girls' trip, leaving Brian to deal with the fallout. Checkmate.Donnelly told TODAY that she and Brian both have full-time jobs. She runs a social media marketing agency and he works in venture capital. They have been married for 7 years and have two kids, 7 and 4 years old.She also added that his dig was a reaction to the typical stress of trying to juggle parenting, work, and household duties, something they do try to divvy up equally. “It wasn’t an ongoing fight. It’s more of the day-to-day ‘keeping a house in order with two working parents and two little kids’ conversation."A Husband Sees the Error of His WaysBy the time Donnelly returned home from her weekend away, not only was the house "spick-and-span" but so was her car. "He told me he was sorry," Donnelly said. He also apologized to her legion of TikTok fans in a follow-up video where Donnelly sits him down to share the news that his comment and her ensuing strike were viewed by MILLIONS of people. 20.7 million to be exact.She also informed him that more than 8,000 commenters were quick to hop aboard the divorce wagon, which she doesn't plan on doing by the way. Brian took it all in stride and the two were able to laugh and find the humor in the situation. A good sign of a healthy relationship."He really is an amazing husband. That was just one moment," Donnelly said.Donnelly's strike wasn't just a retaliation; it was a statement. "I'm constantly tidying — I'm picking up shoes, I'm doing all these things that go unnoticed but add up to a lot," she said.I think it's safe to say they won't go unnoticed anymore.The reality is that women in our society tend to carry a disproportionate load when it comes to parenting and household duties. Much of which is unseen. It's why there is so much talk about the "invisible labor" and the "mental load" of motherhood.But regardless of whether or not this is the case in the Donnelly's house, we all deserve to feel seen and valued. And not just at home. Acknowledgment and appreciation go a long way in all aspects of our lives, including in our relationships, at work, and in our interactions with others.Donnelly's strike wasn't just a learning moment for her husband, it was one for all of us. A reminder to take a moment to appreciate the people around us, who contribute in so many silent ways, often without recognition or fanfare, to make our worlds a better place.More from Goalcast:Woman’s Heart Is Shattered When Her Husband Abandons Her for His Lover – Even Then, She Still Takes Care of His Elderly DadStrangers Accuse Kenyan Woman of Marrying Her Husband for Money – The Couple Hits Back With the Perfect ResponseStay-At-Home Mom’s Boyfriend Accuses Her Of Doing Nothing All Day – What She Does Next Goes Viral

Bride Makes Her New 4-Year-Old Stepson Sob by Reading the Wedding Vows She Had Specially Written for Him
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Bride Makes Her New 4-Year-Old Stepson Sob by Reading the Wedding Vows She Had Specially Written for Him

The day Emily Leehan got married she wasn't just saying "I Do" to her groom, Joshua Newville; she was saying "I Do" to his 4-year-old son, Gage, as well.Not only was their wedding a union of two people in love but it was also a blending of two families and the start of their new journey together.So, the bride didn't just deliver one set of vows on her big day — she delivered two; one to her new husband AND one to her new stepson. While we're certain her vows to Joshua were beautiful, it's what she had to say to Gage and his heartfelt reaction that really takes the (wedding) cake. Spoiler alert: You're going to want to grab the tissues for this one.A Stepmother’s Heartwarming Vows to Her New StepsonAccording to CBS News, Joshua, a sergeant in the Marines, and Emily, a senior airman in the Air Force, dated for two years before getting engaged and tying the knot. Gage was just two years old when Emily flew into his life. Over the years, the two developed a special bond and it's this powerful connection that is clearly shown in the now-viral video of their sweet exchange.In the video, captured by wedding photographer Jessica Husted, Emily is reading her “vows” to little Gage as he gazes up at her. Fighting back tears she begins, “I want you to be safe and to try your hardest and to be a good person," adding, "Don't cry, baby.” Too late. Gage, overcome with emotion, throws himself at her, wrapping his arms tightly around her, sobbing. And now, literally, everybody's crying.Somehow, Emily manages to keep it together and press on."I know you and I will butt heads…" More sobs. "Except for right now," Emily jokes (because sometimes you gotta laugh to keep yourself from crying). As Joshua comforts his weeping son, Emily continues: "But I hope with all my heart that as you become a grown man, you will understand my methods and realize I have only done what’s best for you and that I love you.”She ends her vows by saying, "You are a special boy. You are so extremely smart, handsome, and kind to others." "You have helped shape me into the woman that I am today, and I may not have given you the gift of life, but life surely gave me the gift of you." Emily Newville*SOBS*Why a Stepmom Stepped UpOnce Emily finishes her vows she bends down and hugs Gage, eventually scooping him up in her arms because there's still a wedding to finish. Emily explains that she always knew she wanted Gage to be a part of the ceremony. "I wanted to involve him because when I was vowing to be Josh's wife I was also vowing to be his stepmom. I wanted him to feel special and to remind him of how much he means to me."She also knows just how special the step-parent—child bond can be. She has a special relationship with her own stepdad, who, along with her biological dad, walked her down the aisle.As for Gage's biological mother? She's sharing the love too.“As his mother I can say that she is an amazing step-mother to him,” Kali wrote in a Facebook comment. “I couldn’t have picked someone better. Gage is lucky to have her and I’m so thankful I can trust her to be there when I cannot be!”Blending families can be tricky. It comes with its own unique set of challenges. But family doesn't require blood, it requires love. Family isn't about sharing DNA; it's about sharing life. And in those times when we get to CHOOSE our family? When we get to look another person in the eyes and say, "I choose you," there's something to be said about the incredible power of that kind of love. More from Goalcast:Lifelong Bachelor Finally Gets Married at 93 – To the Woman He Met at His Sister’s Wedding in 1959Homeless Couple Couldn’t Afford to Get Married for 24 Years – Then a Stranger Throws Them a Surprise Wedding

Lonely and Widowed 82-Year-Old Goes Over to New Neighbors House - Little Did They Both Know What Was Coming Next
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Lonely and Widowed 82-Year-Old Goes Over to New Neighbors House - Little Did They Both Know What Was Coming Next

When Sharaine Caraballo, 32, along with her husband Wilson, 42, and their 5 kids moved from Texas to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, they were understandably nervous.After all, moving into a new town and a new neighborhood can be nerve-wracking. You never quite know what to expect. There are a lot of What-Ifs. "Our biggest fear moving into a new neighborhood was, 'What if our neighbors don't like us?' What if, because we have a lot of kids, they make a lot of noise and we come from a big family, so what if there's any conflict with the neighbors?" Sharaine told USA Today. "We're the only Black family in our neighborhood and the only minority," she added.But it turns out, the Caraballos had nothing to worry about. They were exactly where they were meant to be. How a Big Family Became Even BiggerPhoto by August de RichelieuTheir neighbors welcomed them with open arms, and in particular, their 82-year-old neighbor from across the street, Paul Callahan. Shortly after they moved in, he showed up unannounced with a ladder and toolbox, offering to help with home improvements. "He was coming over with tools. He’d bring screwdrivers and teach Wilson how to fix up the garage, and Wilson followed all his advice,” Sharaine recalled.A widower, Callahan had sadly just lost his wife six months earlier. Grieving and alone and the last of his siblings still surviving, he was looking for friends and ways to fill the long, lonely days. What he ended up finding was family. After learning about his loss, Sharaine and her family started including the retired Texas Instruments manager in family cookouts and holiday gatherings. But their relationship didn't stop there. For as much as Callahan was helping Wilson fix up their home, the family was helping to heal his broken heart. An Old Man and a Young Family and the Power of ConnectionThe Caraballos firmly embraced Callahan as one of their own. Now, he spends nearly every day at the house, entertaining the kids, bringing them "little trinkets" and bubbles, and sharing stories about his life. Paul isn't just a friendly neighbor, he's "Grandpa.""The kids run up to him like that's their grandfather," Sharaine, a case manager for domestic violence survivors, said. "He's like an honorary grandpa to us. My husband's father is in the Dominican Republic, so even his mom says 'Here comes your dad Paul!'" And it's not just the kids who benefit, Callahan does too. Having grown up around lots of kids, the octogenarian describes himself as a "very social person." "You get many chances to talk to people. If you don't take a chance, you may miss a friend," said Callahan. "It doesn't hurt to be nice. That's the other thing, it costs you nothing, but a lot of times, you get a better return."For Callahan, the return on his investment has been immeasurable. In fact, he's gotten a whole new lease on life, one filled with laughter, love, joy, purpose, AND family.Sometimes, families are born. But oftentimes, they are made -- crafted through meaningful relationships rather than blood. The Caraballos were looking for acceptance and Callahan was looking for a friend. What they found in each other was so much more. Because sometimes, when we least expect it, people move into our lives at the exact moment we need them the most. More from Goalcast:Woman’s Heart Is Shattered When Her Husband Abandons Her for His Lover – Even Then, She Still Takes Care of His Elderly DadTeens Approach Elderly Man When They Think No One Is Watching – Little Did They Know What Would Happen Next

Poor Dad Raises His 4 Children Alone After His Wife Abandons Them to Start a New Family With Someone Else
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Poor Dad Raises His 4 Children Alone After His Wife Abandons Them to Start a New Family With Someone Else

Enrique Alegría Valdivia wasn't planning on being a single dad to four children. But when his wife abruptly walked out the door and didn't look back, he wasn't given a choice.Yet, despite being thrust into single fatherhood in the midst of poverty, the dedicated father is taking care of his children just fine, proving that parental love can overcome any obstacle.The Struggles of Single ParenthoodPhoto by Tom FiskLife in the Cerro Colorado district in Arequipa, Peru was already hard for the Valdivia family. Living in poverty, Valdivia and his wife struggled to provide for the basic needs of their children, aged 5, 7, 9, and 11. When Valdivia's wife abandoned them to reportedly start a new family, life became even more difficult. As the children struggled with the loss of their mother, Valdivia struggled with the loss of a partner in raising them. Overnight he became their sole provider, financially and emotionally. And without any other family around, he is doing it all completely on his own. But he is determined to do the best for his children."They don't deserve to suffer or cry," he told a local news outlet that covered his story for a Father's Day special. Despite constantly worrying about his children and his finances, he works hard to maintain a positive attitude and to provide stability and security for his kids. All while making certain that he is there for his children.Balancing Parenthood and WorkAs any parent knows, juggling work and parenting responsibilities is no easy feat. Valdivia works in construction but he prefers to take on his own jobs rather than work for an employer.This allows him the freedom to set his own hours and to be there to get his kids off to school."My children start school at 7:45, I take them and I can just go to work. For this reason, I cannot work from 7 in the morning as they normally do on construction sites. I look for my own little jobs so as not to harm anyone and they do not claim that I am late or work fewer hours," he said. While working and taking care of his kids, Valdivia is also saving up to buy a house. He currently resides at a friend's house but he dreams of having a "proper home" one day. His dream may soon become a reality, thanks to the power of the media. Word of a Father’s Sacrifice SpreadsAfter Valdivia was featured on the Arequipa news, residents of his local town set up a fund and started donating money. Inspired by his devotion to his children, many view him as a "hero."Valdivia, however, doesn't see himself as a hero. He sees himself as a father. One who will do whatever it takes for the sake of his children. "I give everything I can and have. I will always stand up for my children. I am there to care for them and love them; they are also my greatest strength," he said.And it is that strength that will carry this family through.Because despite the odds stacked against him, despite his wife's abandonment, living in poverty, and the challenge of raising his four children alone, Valdivia wields a weapon greater than all of the adversity. The power of a parent's love for their child. And there is no greater force on earth than that.More from Goalcast:Parents Abandon Baby at Hospital After Being “Horrified” by His Face – Then One Woman Takes Him in as Her OwnWoman Abandons Her Baby at Her Boyfriend’s House – He Decides to Raise the Kid Even if He Isn’t the FatherParents Refuse to Take Newborn Baby Home With Them and Abandon Him at Hospital – One Nurse Takes Him in as Her Own

People Are Saying LeBron James Is a Bad Father - Here's Why They're Wrong
Family

People Are Saying LeBron James Is a Bad Father - Here's Why They're Wrong

LeBron James's son, 18-year-old Bronny, suffered a cardiac arrest yesterday while on court during a USC Basketball workout. The eldest son of the basketball legend is now out of the ICU and in "stable condition."After previously being called out as a bad father for certain behaviour, LeBron sets the record straight. LeBron has always been a central figure in his family and it's time to take a look at the amazing father he really is.*This article was originally published on July 15, 2021.Shame if you do, shame if you don’t. That’s a lesson LeBron James learned the hard way following a momentous occasion involving his young son Bronny. The demanding, judgmental nature of social media has become so intimidating over the last couple of years that public figures can’t make a single move without explaining their decision-making. They’re staring down the barrel of targeted vilification and censure at every waking moment, and if they’re not able to justify their actions well ahead of time, they’re in trouble. It only takes one ill-timed rumor to topple your entire career and tarnish your reputation. LeBron had to reckon with similarly misguided assumptions over two years ago when he attended his son’s basketball tournament. What was supposed to be a celebratory affair among the James family quickly turned into a contentious ruckus casting doubt on LeBron’s integrity and capabilities as a father. Here’s how the situation unfolded and why LeBron became labeled as a ‘bad father.'LeBron received flak for making a “spectacle” out of himself at his son’s basketball gameIn July 2019, LeBron accompanied his 14-year-old son, LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr., to an AAU basketball tournament in Las Vegas. It’s nothing short of a miraculous stroke of luck to have LeBron James himself spectating a basketball game. As anticipated, people were curious to see how LeBron would conduct himself on the sidelines and comport himself at a basketball meetup that didn’t feature him as the MVP. Well, the Ohio native didn’t disappoint. He donned his kicks and jumped into the pre-game layup lines to shoot some hoops. His incredible throwdowns — captured vividly on camera — galvanized the crowd and gave them something to be fired up over. It’s not every day that you have LeBron James participate in a warmup routine at a youth basketball matchup, so if you’re fortunate enough to see the man in action, savor the moment. Unfortunately, savor, they did not. The video went viral and caused quite a stir across traditional news and social media, eliciting accusations of ‘showboating’ on LeBron’s part. Many critics lambasted his activities on the court, condemning the basketball star for engaging in what they deem as undignified and inappropriate behavior. They also took issue with his loud cheering, especially his ballistic demeanor in the wake of his son’s game-winning slam dunk. According to The Washington Post, Jason Whitlock, the host of Fox Sports 1′s “Speak for Yourself” segmented, voiced his opinion on LeBron’s layups, saying that the Lakers’ champion should be staying in his own lane and not make a “spectacle” of himself. He alleges that LeBron leveraged his son’s moment in the sun to build his “social media brand.” The commentator told his followers that parents shouldn’t “allow their thirst for fame to distract from or exaggerate their child’s performance.”Barring an extraordinary leap of rationale on Whitlock’s part, it’s futile to expect a personality as animated and expressive as LeBron to suppress his natural energy. Besides, live sports can instigate a wide range of emotions in the most stoic of individuals, so there’s nothing wrong with LeBron boldly enlivening the mood and egging his son on. He reveals the tragic reason he’s so involved in his children’s livesWhat LeBron’s detractors don’t realize is that there’s a particular reason why the athlete prefers to take such a hands-on approach to parenthood. His dad had a number of criminal charges to his name and wasn’t in the picture, causing LeBron to grow up feeling helplessly incomplete and resentful. The absence of a solid paternal figure hurt him deeply, so he promised himself that he wouldn’t dare put his own children through the same ordeal. I wanted to have kids early, to prove to my father that the way you did it was the absolute wrong way to do it, and I wanted to break the mold to where I want to be there and give them all the life skills. LeBron James on UNINTERRUPTED The 36-year-old essentially took an oath to do right by his children and support them however he could. That’s partly why he wanted his eldest to bear his own name; it was about conferring respect and passing on the values that matter to him a great deal. He obviously can’t guarantee that his children would follow the exact path he’s envisioned for them, but he can hope that they’ll be able to appreciate the “life skills” he’s trying to instill in them. LeBron will do his best to ensure his kids are able to “experience things that [he] didn’t experience” and that they’re able to seize the opportunities by the horns and succeed in whichever field they decide to pursue. LeBron admits that he can only give them the “blueprint” and lay the groundwork; “it’s up to them to take their own course, whenever that time comes.”Setting a positive example for his children isn’t just about breaking the mold that’d been put in place by his dad. LeBron legitimately believes that the responsibilities associated with fatherhood allow him to flourish as a ballplayer. For example, he described each of his children as having distinct, divergent personalities that he must cater to in his unique ways; similarly, he must adjust his mode of communication when interacting with his teammates to get the best out of them. When I talk about patience, it comes back to being a father [...] It comes back to that patience of learning their mindsets, learning how you can get the most out of them, what triggers them to be their best, and what triggers them to not be their best. You learn that over time.LeBron James on The Tim Ferriss ShowThe expression of love is as unique as the love itselfA parent’s love and pride is a rare thing to capture, so no parent should be ashamed for how they choose to convey their depth of love and admiration for their children’s accomplishments. As long as you’re respectful of others in your space and that the recipient of your love is in agreement, you should feel free to express your love however you please. More importantly, your way will be unique to you; it doesn’t matter how it stacks up against someone else’s behavior. Embrace your peculiarities and instincts, and the rest will work itself out. More inspiring stories:LeBron James and Savannah Brinson Grew From High School Sweethearts to Lifelong Partners5 Life-Changing Books That Inspired LeBron James to Keep WinningOctavia Spencer Reveals LeBron James Helped Her Negotiate What ‘She Deserves’ for Her Upcoming Netflix SeriesThe Empowering Truth Behind John Cena and Dwayne Johnson’s Feud

Ungrateful Daughter Throws Moms Gift in the Trash - So She Decides to Teach Her a Harsh Lesson
Family

Ungrateful Daughter Throws Moms Gift in the Trash - So She Decides to Teach Her a Harsh Lesson

Florida mom Haley Hassell noticed that her 6-year-old daughter, Presleigh, was nervous since starting first grade. So as good moms do, she tried to make her feel better and thought she had the perfect remedy.Daughter Throws Mom’s Gift in the TrashPresleigh was asking for a LOL-brand pencil box, like the one other kids had in her class, so Haley decided to pick one up when she was out shopping for school supplies. Finally, after three stores she bought one as a surprise.But she didn't get the reaction she expected."Presleigh learned a tough love lesson today," the mom wrote in a 2019 Facebook post. "I went to 3 different stores to get that LOL pencil box you see in the trash there. When I surprised her with it this afternoon (just knowing she would be ecstatic) she stared at it and threw it in the trash and slammed the bedroom door. She yelled 'that’s stupid, everyone in my class has that..I don’t want it anymore!' ..WHHHHAT STOP COME AGAIN?"Transforming Anger Into a Valuable LessonHaley was shocked by her daughters response. "So by this time there was probably smoke coming out of my ears and I’m trying real hard not to completely lose it on this kid that I have worked so hard to completely take care of financially on my own & make sure she always gets what she needs and then some," she wrote. "BUT I thought I had always taught her to be grateful & know how lucky she was but apparently sis needed a small wake up call!!"So, Haley got creative."SO before completely going Madea mad on my child I check myself and say, 'Okay that’s fine, let me go get the one you’re going to use'...came back with her new pencil box, which is the Ziploc bag."As to be expected, the 6-year-old didn't like the Ziploc pencil box very much."She lost her mind! Suddenly the LOL Box she just trashed was good enough and the Ziploc bag was horrible...but it’s too late for all that." Instead of caving into her daughter's disappointment, the mom transformed the dramatic situation into a learning lesson about helping others."I told her to get the LOL out of the trash and we would be finding a child to give it to tomorrow..one whose mommy and daddies don’t have money for any school supplies or someone who may not even have a mommy or daddy," Haley wrote. "I explained to her she’s not entitled to anything special and she is taking for granted how lucky she is... So for now she will be using a Ziploc bag & will personally be delivering the nice box to a child that could benefit from it."Haley concluded the post with a valuable lesson about gratitude."Maybe I overreact sometimes but I would’ve done anything to have all the things she does as a child. I truly believe changing your perception & just being grateful can turn around any situation in life."Teaching the Importance of GratitudeThe mom's post has since earned more than 135,000 reactions and she was interviewed on Good Morning America. She got a lot of positive feedback, but also faced some criticism. "I got personal messages in my inbox saying that I was a monster mother ... they were saying I was a bad parent and bad parents raise bad children," she told GMA. "I was just on a rant when I wrote it. I didn't think people were going to share it. People were saying I was publicly shaming my daughter, which I don't really agree with."The pencil case story has a happy ending. Presleigh ended up mailing it to a 5-year-old girl in Utah as well as some other school supplies."Presleigh thought that was really cool. She understood once we were shopping for other children," Haley said, adding that it gave Presleigh "perspective.""Having a positive outlook can make or break you in life -- I want her to know that," she added. "Nothing is going to be easy, but when something is given to you, you've got to be grateful."It’s Always Good to Be GratefulMoney doesn't grow on trees. So it was understandable that this mom was upset when her daughter didn't want the gift she worked so hard to get. But instead of getting angry, as many of us would be, this mom did something far more constructive. She punished her daughter while at the same time showing her the importance of both giving and gratitude. And those are lessons we all need to be reminded of at any age.More from Goalcast:Two 11-Year-Olds Are Caught in the Act – “Lawnmower Man” Gifts Them New Equipment to Start a BusinessBullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel OtherwiseAlways be grateful for the little things “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette