We are on day 37 of no paycheck for my husband. We've cut all our subscriptions and have a shopping ban to make it through the shutdown.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Couple hiking
The author's husband is a federal employee.

Courtesy of the author

I'm a dad, and I balance 2 careers while parenting. I've embraced imperfection and model resilience for my kids.

Tech Insider : Business
A father with his child while sitting at a kitchen table with a laptop.
The author (not pictured) balances two careers while parenting.

svetikd/Getty Images

I'm an empty nester. As a single parent, the shift feels lonely.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
The author with her two kids during Christmas 2024.
The author is a single parent and, for the first time, now an empty nester.

Courtesy of Kelly Magyarics

I've learned that stress-free travel with kids means breaking some rules

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
The author poses at a pyramid with her family.
Some parents try to follow a bunch of rules when they travel with their kids, but the author thinks it's better to break them.

Courtesy of Jamie Davis Smith

My family of 6 moved in with my in-laws while our home was renovated. It was stressful, but so good for my kids.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Woman taking selfie
The author moved into her in-laws with her four children.

Courtesy of the author

I broke a big rule of college applications by writing about my mother. My love for her got me into Yale and Stanford.

Tech Insider : Business
Brian Zhang as a baby being held by his mom
The author wrote about his mother in his college essays.

Courtesy of Brian Zhang

My dad, Jimmy Carter, taught me that you shouldn't retire. I'm 75 and following his example and not slowing down.

Tech Insider : Business, Politics
Jimmy Carter and Chip Carter

Universal History Archive via Getty Images

I never thought my family would need SNAP benefits. Then, my husband was laid off just after I had our third kid.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman with a baby and an empty shopping basket in a grocery store.
The author (not pictured) was grateful for SNAP benefits after her husband was laid off in 2023.

Oscar Wong/Getty Images

My ex and I split 10 years ago. He does his co-parenting at my house.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Kids playing behind couch
The author's ex comes to her house every other weekend to parent their children.

Courtesy of the author

I gave birth to triplets when I was 41 and my husband was 49. There are benefits and drawbacks to being a parent of 3 at an older age.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her husband pose with their identical triplets.
The author and her husband were both in their 40s when they found out that she was pregnant with triplets.

Courtesy of Hollie Overton

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