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

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Cropped photo of a young man holding a skateboard and talking to his mom.
 

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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 quit my job because I needed flexibility to be with my kids. Now I DoorDash for about $20 an hour and create TikTok content to pay bills.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
Nick Parker headshot
Nick Parker quit his full time job because he needed flexibility to be with his kids.

Courtesy of Nick Parker

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.

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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.

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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 work so hard to provide a good life for my 4 kids that I hardly ever see them anymore

Tech Insider : Business
Woman working on a laptop at a counter with a man and kids in the background

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My son got in trouble at school. It's hard not being able to fight his battles

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young kid being bullied at school
It's hard to protect your kid from the tough stuff of middle school. (The author's son is not shown here.)

Pawinee Rangkeaw/Getty Images

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