I'm the oldest of 8 kids, including 5 foster siblings. There are pros and cons to my big family.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Six kids sitting on a lawn embracing.
The author (not pictured) is the oldest of her eight siblings.

Florin Prunoiu/Getty Images/Image Source

My family of 7 moved from a 6-bedroom home in Salt Lake City to a 3-bedroom apartment in NYC. Our cost of living went up, but it's worth it.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A couple with five children pose in front of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Maren Droubay and her family moved from Utah to New York.

Maren Droubay

I moved to New York City and worried I'd be homesick. Then, my sister and best friend became my neighbors.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her friends in the kitchen
The author lives near her sister and best friend in New York City.

Courtesy of Maya Walsh-Little

4 types of emotionally immature parents, from reactive to critical

Tech Insider : Business
Paper cutout family
There are 4 types of emotionally immature parents: reactive, highly critical, passive, and emotionally absent.

Francesco Carta fotografo/Getty Images

They left their jobs in their 50s to reconnect with their kids. It helped them rethink their long-term career plans.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A selfie of a man, a woman, and their three sons in Turkey.
Pablo Slough and Karen Gilchrist quit their tech jobs in mid-2024 to take a gap year to spend time with their sons.

Pablo Slough and Karen Gilchrist.

My extended family decided not to buy Christmas presents this year. Instead, we're all helping each other out with home projects.

Tech Insider : Business
Rachel Reva and her sister building furniture
The author (left) is helping her sister out for Christmas.

Courtesy of Rachel Reva

My dad died 3 years ago. I'm learning how to celebrate the holidays without him.

Tech Insider : Business
The author's father making cookies and putting up blue Christmas lights with her son.
The author remembers her father over the holidays by telling his stories and looking at blue Christmas lights with her son.

Courtesy of Tonilyn Hornung

I live in a small mobile home at 81. I have everything I need.

Tech Insider : Business
Jane Post knitting in her cozy, tiny home.
Jane Post knitting in her cozy, tiny home.

Courtesy of Jane Post

Relocating for a new job was never a big deal. Having kids changed things; we're not moving now, even for a big opportunity.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her family pose inside a home.
The author and her husband decided to put down roots once they had children.

Courtesy of Candy Mickels Mejia

We skipped our annual Christmas celebrations with extended family and went on vacation instead — just the 4 of us

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Technology
Author Margie Pumpa and husband smiling with colorful cups in caravan
I'm fortunate to come from a close family that values large Christmas gatherings; however, our travel plans meant last year's festivities looked a little different.

Margie Pumpa

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