I've traveled to 30 countries with my kids. I always do these 4 things before leaving home.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A person holding a passport from USA checks in at an airport.
In addition to the usual travel documents like a passport, the author said she always travels with a notarized note from her husband when traveling outside of the country without him.

SDI Productions/Getty Images

My 30s look nothing like I once imagined: no marriage, no homeownership, no children. I've learned to make peace with that.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Santiago Barraza Lopez standing on the edge of a waterline with glaciers in the background
The author is living a life in his 30s that he never imagined for himself.

Courtesy of Santiago Barraza Lopez

I go on spring break with 5 of my mom friends and our 16 kids. It's more fun than it may sound.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business, Style
The author with five of her friends.
The author, back right, with her friends while on spring break with their kids.

Courtesy of Bethaney Phillips

I caved in and got my son a Nintendo Switch so he wouldn't feel left out. I immediately regretted it.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Tween playing piano
The author's son started new hobbies once he stopped playing with his Nintendo Switch.

Courtesy of the author

I went bathing suit shopping with my 18-month-old daughter. I realized I shouldn't talk negatively about my body around her.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
mom and daughter in pool
The author realized her daughter was listening when she criticized her body in a changing room.

Courtesy of the author

My partner and I lived in a camper van for 3 years before I had an unexpected pregnancy. It changed everything for us.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Jayme Serbell and her partner sitting in their camper van with their dogs
The author and her partner lived in a camper van for years.

Courtesy of Jayme Serbell

My parents pay my rent in New York City because I can't find a full-time job after college. I feel like I failed.

Tech Insider : Business
the author is sitting on the outdoor steps to her NYC apartment
The author is a recent college graduate who can't find a job.

Courtesy of Dove Williams

I'm self-employed, and family planning as a freelancer is scary. I don't have parental leave, and I don't know how much money to save.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman working from home and looking at her laptop and notebook.
The author (not pictured) enjoys freelancing, but says the lifestyle makes it difficult to plan for a future with her husband.

Olga Pankova/Getty Images

I went to a kids' Pokémon event. I expected child's play, but got a trading floor.

Tech Insider : Business
Pokemon trading event
Edi, a 9-year-old Pokémon fan, told me a single card could be as valuable as a house. He was right.

Lucia Vazquez for BI

Adopting the slang of my Gen Alpha kids took me from being an outsider to someone who is in on the joke

Tech Insider : Business
A mother and child walk together in a courtyard.
The author said her three kids (not shown) were all using Gen Alpha lingo when they spoke. She decided to join in so she could connect with them.

Maskot/Getty Images

Subscribe to Parenting