My first performance review after maternity leave was disappointing. It was difficult to be a great mom and a great employee.

Tech Insider : Business
a mother working at a table with a baby in her lap
The author (not pictured) struggled to go back to work after giving birth.

Maskot/Getty Images

I pay my 8-year-old with Pokémon cards for his chores. It motivates him more than getting money.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy with Pokémon cards.
The author's son (not pictured) is motivated by getting Pokémon cards for his chores.

Stefanie Rex/picture alliance via Getty Images

I help high schoolers get into Ivy League colleges. My advice to parents is that your teens are taking too many AP classes.

Tech Insider : Business
Steve Gardner at a speaking event holding a microphone
Steve Gardner, who teaches Leadership and Impact at Harvard Summer School, says not maxing out your advanced classes during high school allows you more time to align your core values with your college application.

Courtesy of Steve Gardner

I took a career break to spend a summer with my kids. It changed how I think about work

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Kids looking at ocean
The author took a summer off to spend it with her kids.

Courtesy of the author

I bought my grandparents' house and lived next to my mom. When she decided to move, it was hard on both of us.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and daughter posing for selfie.
The author and her mom used to live next door to each other.

Courtesy of the author

Motherhood is constant work — and the rules are always being rewritten

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Elinor Cleghorn headshot
Elinor Cleghorn's book "A Woman's Work" explores the impact of mothers throughout history

Courtesy of Lara Downie

I'm a travel writer and mom of 3. Here's how I navigate vacations with my moody teens.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A boy uses a table while lounging in a hammock at sunset.
The author said that traveling with her teens (not shown) can sometimes be tricky, but she's found a few ways to make the experience better for everyone.

da-kuk/Getty Images

I'm the youngest of 5, and became the default caregiver for my aging parents. I'm learning how not to lose myself.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman in a white shirt puts her hand on the back of an elderly woman who appears to be in a doctor's office.
The author said that being financially stable made her the default caregiver for her aging parents.

ATHVisions/Getty Images

We started the year $214,000 in debt. We are on track to pay at least half of it off in just 12 months.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Couple posing for photo
Sammy and Zach Wedemeyer are paying off their family's debt.

Courtesy of the Wedemeyer family

I was sick of having the oldest car at school drop-off, so I spent $16,000 on a newer vehicle. Now I have buyer's remorse.

Tech Insider : Business
Krisann Valdez in front of her new car
The author bought her first new car and is experiencing buyer's remorse.

Courtesy of Krisann Valdez

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