We’ve made happy memories in the trailer park, and that’s what matters. — I’ve rented the same mobile home for the last 8 years. That means my younger kids have spent most of their childhood in a trailer park; my oldest, nearly half her life. …

Jumping on the bio bandwagon to share a bit about myself — Hello, and thanks for stopping by! I’m Missy, as you may have guessed by the title. I’ve spent the last couple years writing for Medium, but I’ve been a published writer since 2002. Gosh, I’m aging myself. My first piece was published in Teen Ink when I was a pregnant…

Feel free to steal these mental health tips — Meeting with the right therapist can change your life — and maybe even save it. Unfortunately, mental health care isn’t easily accessible for everyone. …

Everyone else kept moving forward — The auditorium was packed with families ready to cheer on their kids during the DARE graduation ceremony. I arrived early hoping to find a seat in a quiet corner, but other parents apparently had the same idea. The only seats left were in the center of the auditorium below a…

He wasn’t even 40 years old — “Area equals length times width” I repeated for what felt like the hundredth time. I was exhausted, but my son wasn’t done with his geometry homework yet. I needed to stay awake and help him. After another hour of struggling, we finally got through his math problems together. “I used…

He wasn’t the type of person you could reason with — Content Warning: This piece contains content that may make some readers upset or uncomfortable, including references to abuse, violence, depression, self-harm, drug use, and underage dating. I gasped for air as I bolted through the parking lot. Running didn’t make me tired. I was having a panic attack. My surroundings…

I’ve been participating in this challenge all year long — My friends keep talking about No-Spend November. Some of them are excited — they love a good challenge. Others are worried they won’t make it through the month without splurging on a nonessential purchase. My friends are good people. I love them, but we have different ideas when it comes…

It’s a relief, to be honest — Content warning: This piece discusses mental health, misconceptions about the LGBTQIA+ community, and other sensitive topics. The writer acknowledges that using the term “crazy” to refer to someone’s actions can be considered offensive or hurtful and apologizes for any discomfort that readers may experience. I held the yard sale sign…

At least I had friends for a few months — The scent of fried food filled my nostrils, and I felt sick. I wanted a bagel with cream cheese, but I was on the free lunch program. …