My 3 kids are all 5 years apart. The age gap brings benefits and challenges.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Black and white photo of the author with her family.
The author's kids are all five years apart.

Kaylee Chelsea Photography

My husband got a job in a different city when our kids were in high school and college. The move was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her husband pose in front of a stage lit with cancles
The author (shown with her husband) said it took time for her to feel comfortable in a new city after a big move.

Courtesy of Dianne Bright

I was overwhelmed planning a trip to Japan with my kids. A group tour was the solution.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
family photo in japan
The author was overwhelmed when planning a trip to Japan with her kids.

Courtesy of the author

My parents lived with my family of 7 after selling their house. There were challenges, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Grandparents with grandkids posing for photo
The author's parents moved in with her and her family.

Courtesy of the author

I used ChatGPT to plan a vacation, while my partner used Claude. We pitted the itineraries against each other to surprising results.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Santiago Barraza Lopez in Tunisia
The author used AI bots to plan his trip to Tunisia.

Courtesy of Santiago Barraza Lopez

I was accepted into NYU, but chose a community college certification instead. Being debt-free was more important than prestige.

Tech Insider : Business
Barbara Campos holding up an NYU flag
The author turned down NYU's offer of acceptance.

Courtesy of Barbara Campos

As a mother, I'm constantly surrounded by people, but I still feel lonely. I'm often too distracted to connect.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The author poses with her family on a baseball field.
Though she's often surrounded by people, the author (pictured with her family) says she still experiences loneliness.

Courtesy of Nicole Schildt

After moving to Alabama for my husband's job, I was lonely. The key to making friends was being the one to make plans.

Tech Insider : Business
The author with four friends showing off watercolors they'd created in their watercolor club.
The author, right, hosts themed parties for friends, including a watercolor party.

Courtesy of Alyssa Hakanson

I moved my daughter from a small private high school school in Hawaii to a larger public school in Seattle. Now she's thriving.

Tech Insider : Business
The author's daughter is showing at a lei workshop.
The author said her daughter spent most of her life in Hawaii, and she was nervous about moving with her to Seattle.

Courtesy of Lisa Sparrell

Kids can get bored visiting temples, museums, and other historical sights during international travel. I have a no-fail fix.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author poses with her son outside of the Tower of Terror attraction at Tokyo DisneySea in Japan.
The author said her kids can grow tired of visiting museums and other historical stops during international travel. To keep them happy, she tries add a visit to an amusement park to their itinerary.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith

Subscribe to Essay