I used to want material things from my family for the holidays. Now that my kids are teenagers, I just want to spend time with them.

Tech Insider : Business
The author with her family going to a holiday dinner. They're all dressed up and smiling.
The author now just wants to spend time with her family for the holidays.

Courtesy of Terri Peters

When my son moved back home after college, he started attending church again — but a different one from mine. I felt rejected.

Tech Insider : Business
Katy M Clark and her son
The author (right) was upset when her son said he wants to go to a different church.

Courtesy of Katy M. Clark

I got laid off before the holidays. My family of 7 depends on my income, but I'm trying not to panic.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Woman at library
The author has five kids and no stable income.

Courtesy of the author

My son died in a ski accident at age 9. He is still part of our holiday traditions.

Tech Insider : Business
Boy playing with nutcrackers
The author's son died in 2019 in a ski accident. She's been navigating grief since.

Courtesy of the author

My son is too old for Elf on the Shelf pranks, but I do it every year anyway. I think I have more fun with it than he does.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The author and her son making Christmas cookies
The author has been doing Elf on the Shelf pranks for her son for years.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

I research self-regulation for a living. As a parent, it can be hard to follow my own advice.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
The author poses while in a screened-in porch.
The author studies self-regulation for a living, but admits he can have a hard time following his own advice when parenting.

Courtesy of Zack Barnes

I own a pet toy company, and my 3 kids work for me. I told them they needed to work somewhere else before joining.

Tech Insider : Business
Mark Hirschberg headshot
Mark Hirschberg started his own pet toy company.

Courtesy of Mark Hirschberg

My husband and I divide parenting duties strategically. We share the load while relying on our strengths.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The author and her husband pose outside in front of a tree.
The author said she and her husband divide parenting duties based on interest and expertise.

Courtesy of Rachel Garlinghouse

My family's holiday budget is smaller than I'd like. Here's how I'm making sure the season is still magical for us.

Tech Insider : Business
The author with her son and husband.
The author is making sure the holiday season still feels magical for her family this year.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

They left their jobs in their 50s to reconnect with their kids. It helped them rethink their long-term career plans.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
A selfie of a man, a woman, and their three sons in Turkey.
Pablo Slough and Karen Gilchrist quit their tech jobs in mid-2024 to take a gap year to spend time with their sons.

Pablo Slough and Karen Gilchrist.

Subscribe to Parenting