I'm mentally preparing for my college freshman to move back home this summer. This phase of parenting is harder than I thought.

Tech Insider : Business
Cropped photo of a young man holding a skateboard and talking to his mom.
 

SrdjanPav/Getty Images

My husband and I moved in with my parents before I had our daughter. They helped us through the first 6 months of her life.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her husband sitting on the front steps of their house with their two kids.
The author and her husband moved in with her parents when she was 38 weeks pregnant.

Courtesy of Alexandra Meyer

I'm one of the oldest moms at my kid's elementary school. I no longer feel the need to dress a certain way or volunteer for everything.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
A woman poses inside a school library.
As an older mom, I no longer feel the need to volunteer for every event at my kids's school.

Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse

I used to buy my kids expensive clothes out of mom guilt. Now, I only shop for them at consignment shops to save money.

Tech Insider : Business
a woman shopping with clothes on a rack
The author only shops for her kids at consignment shops now.

AGCreativeLab/Getty Images

My family of 5 took an RV trip in New Zealand for a week. We saved money on groceries and free campsites and splurged on sightseeing.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author and her family in Queenstown standing on a balcony overlooking a body of water.
The author and her family spent over a week in New Zealand traveling in an RV.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

Moving from LA to Colorado was supposed to be temporary; then I got pregnant. We needed the support system we have here.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her husband standing outside with their son.
The author and her husband decided not to move back to LA after she got pregnant.

Photo credit: Quintin Sally

I moved in with my 81-year-old grandmother during college. It was exactly what I needed.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The author and her grandmother
The author (right) and her grandmother.

Courtesy of the author

I moved from Los Angeles to Paris to live with my boyfriend at 46. The transition was harder than I imagined, but it was worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Dufflyn Lammers standing under a tree in paris
The author moved from Los Angeles to Paris.

Courtesy of Courtney Bowlden Photography

My in-laws stayed in our 1-bedroom apartment for over a month. It was hard to be productive, so I had to set boundaries.

Tech Insider : Business
A couple walking into an apartment with suitcases, they are standing on the deck and walking toward the door.
The author's in-laws (not pictured) stayed with her and her husband when they came to America for their annual vacation.

Milko/Getty Images

I sent a letter to a deployed soldier to thank him for his service. We are now celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary.

Tech Insider : Business
soldier reading letter among war
The author (not pictured) sent a letter with cookies to a soldier she had never met before.

Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images

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