My toddler threw an epic tantrum in public. The advice I got from another mom stuck with me for years.

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Mother carrying young child under arm
 

Ariel Skelley/Getty Images

I've visited 7 national parks with my 90-year-old father-in-law. He's taught me to stay spontaneous as I get older.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Politics
Family posing for photo at national park
The author has gone on several trips to national parks with her 90-year-old father-in-law.

Courtesy of the author

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.

My son and I witnessed the New Orleans terror attack. We won't let it deter us from visiting the city again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Ruth Chavez and her son, Jonathan, have a tradition of visiting New Orleans together.
Ruth Chavez and her son, Jonathan, witnessed the attack while on vacation in New Orleans.

Courtesy of Ruth Chavez.

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

When my ex and I separated, I moved out of our family home. Having my own space made me a better mom.

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Woman arranging things in her new apartment. She has blonde hair up in a bun and is wearing a yellow sweater.
The author (not pictured) moved into a new apartment when she and her ex separated.

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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 supported my son when he changed his college major from law to philosophy. His grandparents warned it was a huge mistake.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
a group of college students in a classroom listening to their professor
The author's son (not pictured) decided to study philosophy.

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