A stranger complimented my parenting skills. Years later, I still think about what they said.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her son sit an an outdoor cafe.
TK

Courtesy of Crystal Hoshaw.

I'm a VP at Nespresso and pregnant with my third child. People have asked me if this is what I really wanted.

Tech Insider : Business
Jessica Padula headshot

Courtesy of the author

  • I'm 39 and pregnant with my third baby.
  • People have asked me if having three kids and a career is what I wanted.
  • Having a good parental leave and a support network around me allows me to do this.

"Was this what you wanted?"

I turned my screened-in porch into a home office this summer, so my daughter and I could work our remote jobs side by side

Tech Insider : Business
Jennifer Young and her daughter sitting on a couch working
The author (left) and her daughter (right) work from home side by side.

Courtesy of Jennifer Young

We lived in my mother-in-law's freezing garage in Utah for 1.5 years. It helped us save thousands, but I sometimes felt ashamed.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
couple with their dog
Thea Atkinson (right) with her husband and their dog.

Kassidy Meinhardt Photography

I left New York City because I felt stuck in a job that was going nowhere. Now, after 6 years in Atlanta, I'm ready to leave.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
person looking over busy street with new york city skyline in background
Henny Jacobs lived in New York City for years.

Courtesy of Henny Jacobs

I'm worried my teens are growing up too fast, so I booked a family vacation to Maine. The trip helped slow down time.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Rebecca Hastings and her family
The author's family was able to reconnect in Maine.

Courtesy of Rebecca Hastings

I'm glad we got a house with my in-laws when I was pregnant. We have separate kitchens, plenty of space, and their support.

Tech Insider : Business
A blue duplex with a shared porch.
The house we bought with my in-laws (not pictured) allows us to have our own separate spaces.

jmoor17/Getty Images

I had kids later than most of my friends. They were able to share valuable advice, but I had to connect with younger moms to survive.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics, Travel
The author sitting on a beach with her child.
The author became a parent after most of her friends.

Courtesy of Rebecca Nevius

I'm the mom with color-coded bins and a fridge with labeled sections. I'm exhausted.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman using a label maker to mark bins of toys.
TK

Kostikova/Getty Images

I lost both parents to cancer. It taught me you have to lean into your grief.

Tech Insider : Business
mother and daughter in sunglasses posing for a picture
Christine Purcell (left) with her mom (right).

Courtesy of Christine Purcell

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