I got laid off before the holidays. My family of 7 depends on my income, but I'm trying not to panic.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Woman at library
The author has five kids and no stable income.

Courtesy of the author

My son died in a ski accident at age 9. He is still part of our holiday traditions.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy playing with nutcrackers
The author's son died in 2019 in a ski accident. She's been navigating grief since.

Courtesy of the author

My son is too old for Elf on the Shelf pranks, but I do it every year anyway. I think I have more fun with it than he does.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The author and her son making Christmas cookies
The author has been doing Elf on the Shelf pranks for her son for years.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

I research self-regulation for a living. As a parent, it can be hard to follow my own advice.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The author poses while in a screened-in porch.
The author studies self-regulation for a living, but admits he can have a hard time following his own advice when parenting.

Courtesy of Zack Barnes

I own a pet toy company, and my 3 kids work for me. I told them they needed to work somewhere else before joining.

Tech Insider : Business
Mark Hirschberg headshot
Mark Hirschberg started his own pet toy company.

Courtesy of Mark Hirschberg

My husband and I divide parenting duties strategically. We share the load while relying on our strengths.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The author and her husband pose outside in front of a tree.
The author said she and her husband divide parenting duties based on interest and expertise.

Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse

My family's holiday budget is smaller than I'd like. Here's how I'm making sure the season is still magical for us.

Tech Insider : Business
The author with her son and husband.
The author is making sure the holiday season still feels magical for her family this year.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

I stopped expecting the holidays to be perfect. Four kids and a pilot's schedule taught me that Christmas morning can happen at midnight.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids in the car on Christmas
The author's husband was a pilot, and his schedule made the holidays non-traditional.

Courtesy of the author

I make broccoli-cheese casserole every year for the holidays. It's made with only 4 ingredients and is always the first to disappear.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman making broccoli casserole
The author's broccoli casserole is the first to be gone during the holidays.

Courtesy of the author

My 7-year-old invited a local shop owner to her birthday party. He showed up.

Tech Insider : Business
The author's daughter poses with a local shop owner at her birthday party.
The author's daughter was adamant that she invite a local shop owner to her 7th birthday party.

Courtesy of Bridget Shirvell

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