.... where family is the source of humor!

Humor Is Relative's 2001 Stories' Archive - Can you relate?

The complete listing of Humor Is Relative's 2001 stories and essays for you, the reader, to share a giggle or two along with us! Get something to drink, sit back, click, and enjoy! Can you relate?

Humor Is Relative sincerely thanks various contributors for sharing these wonderful and humorous stories with others.

2002 Humorous Family Stories Features sharings from Catharine Bramkamp, James Collins, Jim Spense, Linda Sultan ... and more!

2003 Humorous Family Stories Features sharings from LaVonis Miracle, Liz Masoner, John Sheirer, Glenn Arnold ... and more!

2004 Humorous Family Stories Features sharings from LaVonis Miracle, John Sheirer, Rudy Wilson Galdonik ... and more!

Is humor an important part of the parenting "tool kit"? This excerpt, from Breathe Deeply, This Too Shall Pass, shares with Humor Is Relative's readers about an unusual laundry day discovery which lead to mental debate for the parent of a teen age son.

Children sometimes have an uncanny ability for reminding others of their presence at inopportune times. Carol's son is no exception in displaying this innocent ability that may be merely "bad timing", sheer coincidence, or does her son have some quirky sixth sense?

Admit it; we love when members of our family call us! Especially when innocent telephone calls unexpected or, as Jane shares, slightly predictable humorous twists. Dare we laugh while on the phone?

Sometimes one has to have the courage to admit faults. This letter is for a part of Carol's household that may feel a bit neglected lately.

Oh the joys of the lazy hazy summer days! Here's a story charmingly filled with love, understanding, plus a dose of humor! Reminescent of "Milton The Monster" cartoon's theme song where a mad scientist sang about adding two drops of sinister sauce into a mixture containing essence of terror. What is Elizabeth's "Pool Man" creating in their swimming pool?

Despite protestations, and signs of being an unwilling participant, Carol's husband goes on an adventure. This story may help illustrate a probable reason why men reputedly do not like going to the malls. Then again, this same story may share with others how sometimes it is never too late to have a first!

Sometimes it is clear on what a contract will, or will not, provide. Some benefits may not be part of the contract but a side result of signing on the dotted line. Perhaps, in hindsight, Carol should have negotiated for singing lessons being included as part of the contractual agreement.

We, as parents of daughters, sometimes feel like we are sitting on pins & needles, when they start dating. Wondering what the prior years of our teaching and child-raising will result in whom [or what] our little girl brings home to meet us. Kimberly shares a humorous excerpt, from Breathe Deeply, This Too Shall Pass, about the family meeting her teen age daughter's new boyfriend. At times like this it may be helpful to have a sense of humor.

Goals are three-fold for television talk shows: provide entertainment, offer some information, and make money. One talk show's episode, however, left Carol's husband feeling more curious than informed. When does big become too big?

When receiving the news, that you are expecting a baby, one starts having romanticized thoughts about the child. Then there are changes - especially the new lifestyle while slipping into the role of being a parent! Carol, in good humor, shares about the unpredictability entering one's life courtesy of parenthood.

We've all, at one time or another, forget someone's name. Is it Sally? Carol? Mary? Darnitall, it is right there on the tip of the tongue just aching to be uttered but your brain doesn't register the name on the tip of the tongue. Beth shares a humorous story her husband's work-around for that problem. Which leads to Humor Is Relative asking: what do you do to save face in this situation?

Should one take into consideration how television advertisements may influence our children's vocabulary while anticipating a child's first sentence? Carol may not be hearing "I love you" yet ... or is that what her son is saying in his own unique way?

Elizabeth will have Humor Is Relative's readers nodding their heads in understanding with this delightful story. The premise is simple: A child becomes an adult; that same child later becomes ill.

Some families pass recipes down through the generations. "These cookies are a recipe of my great-great aunt, but the cake is something my grandmother was famous for!" Carol admits being unable to brag about such a thing until somehow uncovering a genealogical link resulting in having Betty Crocker as part of the family tree. This will not be easy since Betty Crocker is a fictional person. Carol shares about crossing off the list any hopes of her mother's recipes passed along through the family.

Pudding; the word conjures up thoughts of a velvety smooth desert that will gently roll over the tongue then down the throat. At least that may be the expectation until you read this humorous story from Carol …

Unexpected additions to our family come in many shapes or forms . . . even four legs, a toothy smile, and with a wag of joy. We are used to the humorous white-lie of "Mom, can I keep it? It followed me home." What do we, as parents, do when our children slip a little spin on the line by bringing up about a clause in a rental agreement?

Can the work environment trigger a chain reaction in people filing for divorce? A socialogical study says, "Could be!"

Carol, in her younger years, did not think about growing older. Times change, things change - and, oh, how did things change. Now she boasts of being a Miss Clairol #609 and proud of it! Waving a bottle of hair color high in the air while pondering why the hair dye aisle has to be so perplexing.

Sex. A three letter word which can have many a parent go weak in the knees; dreading the day a children will ask their mother or father about 'it'. We practice the parental speeches in our mind in preparation for that day. Yet what if the child asks before the parent is ready or their questions aren't the ones expected? Then, as Brenda shares with us, this could be where humor comes in!

A stitch in times saves nine; or so the old rhyme says. Time perhaps better saved by a person who knows what they are doing while stitching. Carol humorously explains her lack of invitations to local sewing circles.

There are two traditions in a family. Naturally the family-based traditions shared with each other. Then we, as parents, can enjoy the typical tradition of sibling rivalry shared amongst our offspring. Oh, correction, make that three traditions! Naturally when the first two become combined, as Renee shares about in this humorous sharing, then we may have a memory to laugh over and share later with others!

I love my children. I know they love me in return. I like to think they love each other ... but then times arise where such a thought may be debatable.

Allow Ilene to take an opportunity to reminisce with a story somewhat focused around her childhood days and some people that had an impact on her life. Sentimental, endearing, and humorous too!

No, you read that correctly as the title is not a typographical error. This is not about country line dancing or the song "Boot Scootin' Boogie" but, instead, a humorous memory about a time when Carol Burnett shared an exercise she enjoyed . . . way back when.

Humorous Book Recommendations:             [ view all ]
Breathe Deeply, This Too Shall Pass
[Kimberly Ripley; 128 pages]
You've read excerpts, Laundry Management and The Boyfriend, shared here at Humor Is Relative. Now read the book by Kimberly! You will smile, laugh, and no longer feel alone as a parent to teens. Can you relate?

Humorous Book Recommendations:             [ view all ]
Family Life & Other Strife by Linda Sultan
[69 pages] Did you enjoy "Friday Night At The Movies" and other excerpts from Linda's poetic, yet with a touch of humor, penned book. She even impressed her harshest critics into giving the book raving reviews!

I am a hundred and two years of age. I have no worries since my youngest son went into an old folks' home.
--Victoria Bedwell

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Humor Is Relative thanks Cay Dickson, from Houston Chronicle, for the compliment!

When one of my children ask, "Did you have to tell that story?" I tell the child, "Yep! It was my chance to be the center of attention ... all thanks to you."
-- My Mom

Think you have a funny story about your family, or moments in parenting, that our readers may enjoy? Review Humor Is Relative submissions guidelines & submit your story! Who knows, we just may like it!

Meet Humor Is Relative's contributing writers!

"You wrote about what?!?!"
--Daughter's reaction when seeing a story her mother had shared.

Humor Is Relative Contributors Published Works:
Don't Put Lipstick On The Cat
Debbie Farmer, Jana Christy
Life in the Fast-Food Lane (Surviving the Chaos of Parenting)
Debbie Farmer, Shauna Cramer
Take Heart! True Stories of Life, Love, & Laughter
Rudy Wilson Galdonik
Simply Southern
Cappy Hall Rearick
Available in hardbook.
Family Life & Other Strife
Linda Sultan
Being Miss Behaved: Humorous Essays For The Politically Incorrect
Catharine Bramkamp
Free Chairs
John Sheirer
Breathe Deeply, This Too Shall Pass
Kimberly Ripley
Write Now! What Are You Waiting For
Kimberly Ripley
Lily's Gift
Kimberly Ripley
The Ghost of Useppa Island
Kimberly Ripley

Audio Recommendations:
Live at Carnegie Hall
Ray Romano
Format: Audio CD
Comedy
The Life and Times of Mike Fanning
DaVinci's Notebook
Format: Audio CD
Acappella; Comedy.

Visual Recommendations:
The Egg and I
Format: VHS
This film also shares the first appearance of the loveable rural couple, Ma and Pa Kettle. If you've married and moved to the country to start up an egg farm, can you relate?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Format: VHS
A truly classic film! Who can forget the Knights Who Say Ni and the poor guy who clapped together halves of coconuts as he followed King Arthur all over the countryside! The big question though: Will King Arthur find the Holy Grail?

I want to have children but my friends scare me. One of them told me she was in labor for thirty-six hours. I don't even want to do something that feels good for thirty-six hours.
--Rita Rudner