I left my job and boyfriend for an opportunity in Los Angeles. Within 4 months, I moved back home.

Tech Insider : Business
The writer wearing a red dress and sitting on a bridge in New York City, with skyscrapers in the background.
My short-lived stint in LA helped me feel more confident when I eventually moved to New York.

Kirsty McCormack

I was burned out postpartum. A trip taught me how to embrace community and changed how I parent.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Parents at airport with baby
The author says a two-month trip to India made her realize she needed community.

Courtesy of the author

Most parents manage their kids' social lives. I expect my 8-year-old to do it himself.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy on the phone
The author stopped planning playdates for her 8-year-old.

Courtesy of the author

My husband was unemployed for 10 months. He finally landed a job when he turned up at an office with a box of doughnuts.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Camilla Richardson and her husband
The author's (right) husband (left) used a unique strategy to get a job.

Courtesy of Camilla Richardson

We moved from a small town to live with my parents in the city. I'm making sure to build our community here.

Tech Insider : Business
the author and her husband in country Victoria.
The author is trying to incorporate things she loved about her life in country Victoria into her life on the Gold Coast.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

My daughter grew up hanging around bars. I'm glad she has such wonderful memories.

Tech Insider : Business
The author's daughter reads while sitting with her mom at a bar.
The author said that bar workers usually made an extra effort to connect with her daughter, often giving her a sidecar of cherries for her Shirley Temple or asking her what books she was currently reading.

Courtesy of Lisa Sparrell.

My husband and I took our first solo vacation. It was romantic, but I missed my son.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Couple posing for photo
The author and her husband went on a solo trip and she missed her son.

Courtesy of the author

My daughter is a 'trinket kid.' Her collections are taking over our house.

Tech Insider : Business
Child with toys
The author says she has a trinket kid.

Courtesy of the author

I always dreamed of buying a house, and now I can finally afford one. But I'm realizing my money is better spent elsewhere.

Tech Insider : Business
Abstract view of a male Estate Agent seen walking down a terraced English street. The shadow of the mans head creates an abstract appearance to his body.
The author can afford to buy a house, but he doesn't want to.

Nickbeer/Getty Images

I've had kids in elementary school for 16 years. Now that my youngest is moving on, I realize I wish I'd done a few things differently.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The author's son wearing a white graduation gown and cap.
The author's son is graduating from elementary school this year.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith

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