I wasn't prepared for the care crisis that hit my family. I'm learning how to raise 3 kids while tending to my aging parents.

Tech Insider : Business
A family spanning multiple generations poses for a family photo during thanksgiving.
I now care for my aging parents and disabled brother in addition to my own three kids. I'm happy to do it, but I wish I had prepared more for my new reality.

Courtesy of Anna De La Cruz.

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

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