I worried about who would care for my child with significant medical needs. I gave her 3 siblings to help when I'm gone.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Four siblings posing for a photo
The author had three more kids after her first daughter was born with significant medical needs.

Courtesy of the author

I live on an island in Maine where kids still get to be kids. They play unsupervised, and the community looks after them.

Tech Insider : Business
Rear view of two sibling boys running in forest together
The author, not pictured, is a teacher in North Haven, Maine.

Pekic/Getty Images

I was having a hard time getting my teens to talk about their day. These 3 questions changed everything.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and kids at a game
The author found that her teens wouldn't talk to her about their days until she started asking the same things.

Courtesy of the author

I won't have an empty nest after deciding to have another baby in my 40s

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and kids posing for photo
The author had her first child at 25 and her second at 45.

Courtesy of the author

I'm a mom and a travel writer. Here's how I encourage independence with my 7-year-old when traveling.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Mother and son at airport looking out window, they are both wearing backpacks.
The author (not pictured) encourages her son to be independent while they travel.

Getty Images

I discovered the key to reducing my toddlers' tantrums. I had to give up some control.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
parent and toddler baking in kitchen
My mindset as a parent plays a key role in my childrens' tantrums.

Cicy/Getty Images

My son is a recruited college athlete at Stanford. Imposter syndrome almost led him to drop out.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
a discus player at Stanford
The author's son (not pictured) is a college athlete at Stanford.

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

My family didn't look like everyone else's growing up. My fourth-grade teacher made me feel included.

Tech Insider : Business
Group of Diversity school children learning acrylic art together in art class.
The author (not pictured) felt included by her fourth grade teacher.

VeeStudio89/Getty Images

Parents, I know Elf on the Shelf is a hassle, but I promise you one day you'll miss it

Tech Insider : Business
Terri Peters and her family at Christmas, dressed in formalwear, standing outside on a sidewalk and smiling at the camera.
The author loves spending the holidays with her family, even as traditions change over the years.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

My daughter started taking public transportation to school at just 10. The independence has given her a lot of confidence.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A mom and her daughter pose in Morocco.
My daughter and I during a trip to Morocco. I'm glad the independence she's gained while taking public transit in Washington, DC, has made her a more confident traveler anywhere we go.

Jamie Davis Smith

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