My wife isn't 'just' a stepmom to my son. He sees her as his other mom.

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Sa'iyda Shabazz holding hands with her son and stepmom
The writer, left, and her son with his stepmom.

Dennis and Rebecca Pacas

My 3rd child was a daughter, and with her, I felt more pressure to be a role model. She's always watching what I'm doing.

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Amanda Miller Littlejohn with her sons and daughter at the beach, they are smiling in the sun and standing on the sand.
The author has two sons and a daughter.

Courtesy of Amanda Miller Littlejohn

I used to spend over $1,000 on birthday parties for my kids. Now I let them organize their parties with a budget of $150 and it's more fun.

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Happy kids running with balloons
The author now lets her kids plan their own birthdays at the park instead of organizing them herself.

StockPlanets/Getty Images

After getting laid off back-to-back, I now depend on my mom to pay rent

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Mom and daughter posing for a photo
The author was able to spoil her mom until she was laid off from her six-figure salary job.

Courtesy of the author

I grew up in Lithuania, the happiest place in the world for under-30s. It has some of the cheapest rent in Europe and other perks.

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Vilnius aerial view with hot air balloons over the top
The beauty, vibrant culture, nature, and welcoming atmosphere of Lithuania's capital city, Vilnius, take my breath away.

Angel Villalba/Getty Images

I'm 30 years old and only make enough money to cover the essentials. I rely on my parents to pay for fun things.

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A man raises a pint of beer into the air, against a blue background.

master1305/ Getty Images

I fell in love with a charming town in Northern California. Once I finally moved there, I couldn't get away fast enough.

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Grass valley california
Grass Valley has a lot of charm, but I found I liked visiting it more than living in it.

Cavan-Images/Shutterstock

I'm a proud, child-free cat lady. Children are still important to me — I just don't want any of my own.

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Christina Wyman smiling at the camera and holding one of her cats.
Christina Wyman says she's proud to be a child-free cat lady.

Courtesy of Christina Wyman

My parents told me they wouldn't support me financially, and I'm glad they didn't. It made me more budget-conscious.

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A man and woman exchanging U.S. currency.
A quick exchange of money

themotioncloud/ Getty Images

I'm Gen Z with baby boomer parents. They are more focused on my professional success than wanting grandchildren.

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Sandrine Jacquot smiling and looking at the camera, she is sitting inside and has glasses on her head. A plant is behind her.
Sandrine Jacquot's parents aren't pressuring her to have kids.

Courtesy Sandrine Jacquot

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