We have 3 kids under 3. We left a trip early and realized we needed to reset our expectations.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author with her three kids on a wooden boardwalk.
The author and her husband decided to end a family trip early.

Courtesy of Lauren Salles Gumpert

When I was younger, being present was easier. Now that I have kids, I'm rethinking what it means to me.

Tech Insider : Business
A mother exhausted on the couch while two kids play.
The author (not pictured) had an easier time being present before she was a parent.

Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images

I took my kids — all under 8 — to Epic Universe. Here are 5 things that made our visit a total success.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Economy
Woman a Epic Universe
The author visited Super Nintendo World in Orlando.

Courtesy of the author

I'm an aunt to 12 kids. Staying close to them as teenagers takes more effort than I expected.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
The author wearing a beanie and standing in the snow.
The author has 12 nieces and nephews.

Courtesy of Camilla Richardson

My mom saw strengths where others saw hobbies. I parent the same way now.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The author's children.
The author said she is making a special effort to help her kids recognize their talents after realizing her mom had quietly been doing the same for her.

Courtesy of Ariba Mobin.

I was scared to let my kids bike alone or go to sleepovers. Giving my 10-year-old more independence has helped me be more confident, too.

Tech Insider : Business
The author with her family in front of a body of water.
The author and her husband have three kids.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

My kids are 5, 3, and 1, and we live in the suburbs. We walk whenever possible instead of taking our minivan.

Tech Insider : Business
Composite image — on the left, the author is walking and smiling while pushing a stroller, on the right is a baby in a stroller and a three-year-old on a small toy bike.
The author lives in the suburbs of Southern California with three kids, but walks whenever she can.

Courtesy of Jillian Pretzel

I go on spring break with 5 of my mom friends and our 16 kids. It's more fun than it may sound.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
The author with five of her friends.
The author, back right, with her friends while on spring break with their kids.

Courtesy of Bethaney Phillips

I went to a kids' Pokémon event. I expected child's play, but got a trading floor.

Tech Insider : Business
Pokemon trading event
Edi, a 9-year-old Pokémon fan, told me a single card could be as valuable as a house. He was right.

Lucia Vazquez for BI

Adopting the slang of my Gen Alpha kids took me from being an outsider to someone who is in on the joke

Tech Insider : Business
A mother and child walk together in a courtyard.
The author said her three kids (not shown) were all using Gen Alpha lingo when they spoke. She decided to join in so she could connect with them.

Maskot/Getty Images

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