I dreaded my teens dating, but it's brought me closer to them. They talk to me about everything — I've even helped draft break-up texts.

Tech Insider
Terri Peters with her husband and two kids, they are smiling at the camera and standing in front of Morton's Steakhouse.
Terri Peters was nervous when her kids started dating, but she says they talk to her about their relationships.

Courtesy Terri Peters

I'm a mom of 3 and I prefer to vacation with each of my kids individually instead of traveling as a family

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Mom and son traveling alone Chicago
The author has three kids but prefers traveling alone with one at a time.

Courtesy of the author

Instead of buying gifts for our daughters, we ask parents to bring toys their kids no longer use. We do an exchange at the party.

Tech Insider
Family and friends celebrating a birthday party outdoors at dusk. People are wearing party hats.
Katrina Donham (not pictured) tells parents not to bring new gifts to her daughters' birthday parties.

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I'm American and my husband is Spanish. We are raising our child with both cultures.

Tech Insider : Travel
A mom feeds her son some Spanish tapas at dinner.

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My son dropped out of high school to teach himself and later decided against college. I supported him every step of the way.

Tech Insider
aerial view of a school stairwell with students walking up and down it
The author's son dropped out of high school.

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My mom died when I was 8. I only have a few years of memories with her, but I become more like her all the time.

Tech Insider
Isabella Ambrosio with her mother sitting outside on a deck when she was a toddler. Her mother is wearing sunglasses and smiling.
Isabella Ambrosio's mother died just before she turned 8, but she grew up to be just like her.

Courtesy Isabella Ambrosio

I dated a younger guy until I learned he had another girlfriend. I became good friends with the other woman.

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Nadine robinson smiling in a selfie on the beach
The author befriended her ex-boyfriend's other woman.

Courtesy of Nadine Robinson

I let my kids play in the mud, and I don't mind when they wrestle. I've made my peace with dirt and we have a household safe word.

Tech Insider
Composite image of Bethaney Phillips' sons wrestling inside wearing a cape on the left, and wrestling while dirty and muddy outside.
Bethaney Phillips allows her sons to wrestle and get dirty.

Courtesy Bethaney Phillips

When my son's dad moved out, we thought our relationship was over — but we're still family

Tech Insider
Sara Graybeal with her son and her son's father. They are smiling and standing on a beach.
Sara Graybeal doesn't live with her son's father anymore, but they still consider each other family.

Courtesy Sara Graybeal

I'm Australian and married to an American. When our kids visited the US they were surprised people couldn't understand their English.

Tech Insider : Travel
Twins posing with ice cream stand
The author's twins got tired of eating fast food while visiting the US, and asked for veggies instead.

Courtesy of the author

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