I was thrilled the first time my son came home from college for the holidays. It wasn't always easy.

Tech Insider : Travel
a son hugging his mother in the kitchen.
The author, not pictured, struggled when her son came home from college.

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My kids wanted to donate toys to other kids after a hurricane hit our town. I'm so proud of them.

Tech Insider
Pile of stuffed toys from above.
The author taught her two young daughters how to declutter with the KonMari method.

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My biggest regret was not exploring the world more. Now I'm 55, and my husband and I spend half the year in France.

Tech Insider : Travel
Couple posing for photo in Paris
The author and her husband spend half the year in France.

Courtesy of the author

When I returned to work after my mother's death, I worried my grief would affect my performance. My coworkers rescued me.

Tech Insider
a woman upset while working at her laptop
The author, not pictured, was grieving her mother at work.

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I chose not to have kids. I need to make a bigger effort to stay friends with those who did.

Tech Insider
Loving man is playing with woman's hair at home
The author (not pictured) changed her mind about having kids.

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I taught my kids how to be entrepreneurs from a young age. As teens, they've made about $10,000 so far.

Tech Insider
Amanda Miller Littlejohn with her sons and daughter at the beach, they are smiling in the sun and standing on the sand.
The author has been teaching her kids about money from a young age.

Courtesy of Amanda Miller Littlejohn

I wanted to have kids but my wife didn't. I chose my relationship over becoming a mom.

Tech Insider
Lesbian couple kissing while sitting in the city during summer
The author (not pictured) chose a relationship with her wife over having kids.

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My kid went to the wrong airport when traveling home from college for the first time. I then taught him these 5 travel tips.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
a college student staring at screens in the airport
The author's son, not pictured, made a traveling mistake when going home for the holidays.

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I'm a mom of 2 teens. When they are out partying, they need to give me the address and phone of an adult present.

Tech Insider
Happy friends dancing together in a night club
The author (not pictured) has location tracking on her teenagers' phones.

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My mother-in-law often asks my kids when they'll make them great-grandparents. I don't mind if it never happens.

Tech Insider
Baby wearing a striped onesie and resting in grandparent's lap, grandparent is holding the baby's hand.
The author doesn't mind if she doesn't become a grandparent.

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