I built billion-dollar companies by giving my employees agency. I use the same approach with my 5 kids.

Tech Insider : Business, Style, Travel
Mark Pincus headshot
Mark Pincus is a dad of five.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

A stranger offered to pay for the World Cup trip I promised my sons, but couldn't afford. I thought it was a scam.

Tech Insider : Sports, Business, Travel
The author with his twin sons at a World Cup Match in Seattle.
The author was able to take his twin sons to a World Cup match in Seattle because of the kindness and generosity of a complete stranger.

Courtesy of Ash Jurberg.

I'm a mom, but I don't like having other kids over. I prefer to meet in a neutral place for play dates.

Tech Insider : Business
Kids playing on the floor with toys.
The author feels overwhelmed whenever she has other people's kids over at her house.

Thanasis Zovoilis/Getty Images

I spent years avoiding fatherhood. Then my brother died when his sons were 6 and 2.

Tech Insider : Business
The author (middle) with his two nephews.
The author (center) became a father figure to his nephews when his brother died.

Courtesy of Emillio Mesa.

My kids go to day camp during our summer vacation. It gives me time to relax and have fun outside being a parent.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Sports
two kids holding binoculars in the woods
The author's kids go to day camp during our summer vacation.

Sophonnawit Inkaew/Getty Images

I felt guilty for being exhausted by my kids. I realized that makes me a good dad.

Tech Insider : Business
Jon Gustin headshot
Jon Gustin is the author of "The Tired Dad."

Courtesy of Joaquin Rodriguez

My husband's native language is rarely spoken outside his country. I learned it to connect with his family and culture.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
The author poses by a river in Belgium.
The author met a Belgian man on a dating app. Eventually, she learned how to speak Dutch so she could connect with his family and culture.

Courtesy of Renate Flanagen.

My 5 kids are adults. I still feel like I'm supposed to help them and struggle to ask for anything I need.

Tech Insider : Business
A son and elderly mother hold hands.

FG Trade/Getty Images

I've been taking each of my 3 kids on solo dates for nearly a decade. It's one of my favorite traditions.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom and child
The author takes her kids on solo dates to connect with them.

Courtesy of the author

My teenage son is against AI, but I use it every day at my corporate job. It's made for difficult conversations at home.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Technology
Two smiling people pose for a selfie beside a window in a passenger cabin.
The author (right) and her son (left) disagree on AI.

Courtesy of Crystal Hoshaw

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