We spent 2 years living on the road, with no plans to settle down. Then, a Texas beach town changed our minds.

Tech Insider : Business
A downtown area in Galveston, Texas, with buildings and trees.
captiontk

peeterv/Getty Images

I'm choosing to be a caretaker for my family instead of having kids of my own. I'm giving back to my mom.

Tech Insider : Business
Kim Izaguirre-Merlos wearing a white tank top and glasses.
Kim Izaguirre-Merlos lives with her mom and family and has always been in a caretaking role..

Brett Patzke/Brett Patzke

My partner and I went on a 12-month road trip after a year of dating. It was the best thing we could've done.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The writer posing in front of a motel, wearing sunglasses.
captionTK

Sara Sturek

After years of losing myself and my female friendships, I got divorced. Now, I've built a life I love with my best friend.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The writer and her best friend on vacation, holding glasses of wine, in front of a sunset.
captiontk

Liz Regalia

All my kids have grown up, so we've changed our holiday traditions. We scaled back on decorations and added a day of festivities.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids around Christmas tree
The author's blended family has changing their holiday traditions as the kids grow older.

Courtesy of the author

I picked up this gift-giving hack from an ex, and it guarantees the most thoughtful presents

Tech Insider : Business
Family posing with Christmas tree
The author learned a gift-giving hack from her ex that she uses with her family now.

Courtesy of the author

My 2017 Volvo has more than 100,000 miles. It's old, paid off, and perfect for my family.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Woman posing with car
The author's car has over 120,000 miles, but she's not planning on getting a new one.

Courtesy of the author

My kids went to an outdoor elementary school with no art, music, or library. They loved it, but adjusting to public school was hard.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Travel
Alli Hill's kids standing in front of their school's sign outside
The author's kids attended an outdoor learning school.

Courtesy of Alli Hill

My mother is spending the holidays with me for the first time in years. I'm struggling with the added costs and to-dos.

Tech Insider : Business
selfie of Jennifer McGuire andher mother
The author (right) is spending Christmas with her mother (left).

Courtesy of Jennifer McGuire

My 3 kids all need very different parenting styles from me. Being fair doesn't mean being the same.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The author's children pose with a dog.
The author said she learned that her three children each require unique parenting approaches to help them thrive.

Courtesy of Danielle Schlass Saliman

Subscribe to Essay