I love being a messy, imperfect summer mom

Tech Insider
A mom and daughter laugh as they go down a slide together.

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As a child therapist, I want parents to put less pressure on themselves in August. It's tough enough.

Tech Insider
A boy shields himself from the blast of a water blaster in the backyard of a home during the summer
A boy shields himself from a water blaster.

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I never wanted to get married. But when I got pregnant, everything changed.

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Melissa Noble and her husband sam smiling and staring at the camera while standing outside in front of a colorful mural wall.
Melissa Noble never saw herself getting married. Then, she got pregnant.

Courtesy of Melissa Noble

I moved in with my parents after being diagnosed with cancer. As a Gen Zer, I felt ashamed to go back.

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A mom and daughter hug as they face the window, surrounded by packing boxes.

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When my family moved from the US to the UK, I enrolled my kids in an IB program. They're now better prepared for college.

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a classroom of kids in the UK writing
The author enrolled her American kids in an IB program in the UK.

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I took my daughters from London to Dallas. They were blown away by the houses, malls, and even the soda cups.

Tech Insider : Travel
A view of a shopping mall with an ice skating rink.

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My family moved from South Carolina to Spain. My kids stay up late and are free to walk alone in the city.

Tech Insider : Travel
Boy touching a fish in the fish market - stock photo
The author's kids are allowed to go to the supermarket by themselves and use her credit card.

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Both of my kids recently started dating and their breakups are hard on me, too. I'm also invested in their relationships.

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Terri Peters with her two kids standing outside in front of trees.
Terri Peters was surprised by how hard it is for her when her kids go through breakups.

Courtesy Terri Peters

I'm an American mom living in Germany. The Snoo, nanny shares, and stroller wagons are not very popular here.

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A mother claps as her baby looks around in a stroller wagon
A mother with her baby in a stroller wagon

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I was a stepmom before I became a biological mom. It's different, but both roles are important.

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A pregnant mother watches over her two young children placing stickers on a board.
A pregnant mother looks over her two young creative children.

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