My husband and I spend nearly $20,000 a year on childcare. I work two jobs and cut back on my lifestyle, but it's worth it for my kids.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Clory Jackson and Mouhamadou Diaman standing in formal attire
Clory Jackson and Mouhamadou Diaman, raise their 4-year-old and a 2-year-old while working full-time

Clory Jackson

I was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years while homeschooling my kids. I went back to work and realized I had tons of skills.

Tech Insider : Business
Mom reading kids book
The author returned to work after 18 years of caring for children.

Courtesy of the author

My husband and I left our jobs to travel full-time in our 30s. Transitioning back into the workforce has been hard.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Toccara Best and her husband standing near waterfalls at Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Toccara Best's request for a year of leave was denied; she decided to go traveling with her husband anyway.

Provided by Toccara Best

I stopped waiting for 'the one' and became a single mom at 38. I only wish I'd done it sooner.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Mom and her son hold a ball
Shivani Singh works as a legal professional in Sydney.

Akshay Sammi

Donna Kelce says her favorite TV mom was Clair Huxtable: "That's who I want to be like"

Tech Insider
Donna Kelce holds up photos of her sons, Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Footprint Center on February 6, 2023
Donna Kelce, who worked as a banking executive, retired in 2021.

Getty Images

I sacrificed my honeymoon and almost cut my maternity leave short for work. I've learned to prioritize my family and set boundaries.

Tech Insider
The arms of a man in a white t-shirt holding a baby
Having a son changed Kari Shafenberg's perspective on work.

Getty/d3sign

We live in hotels full-time with our 14-month-old baby. We won't be settling in the suburbs.

Tech Insider : Travel
A young family outside the Sydney Opera house.
Noah was born in Australia in 2022.

Yusuf Omar

I was laid off unexpectedly with a baby at home. As a single parent, I was devastated, but it was a blessing in disguise.

Tech Insider
Angelica holding her baby while standing in a field of sunflowers
Angelica Miller said she used the layoff as an opportunity to rest and spend some time with family.

Courtesy of Angelica Miller

I'm an executive at a stroller company and my husband is a stay-at-home dad. I stop working at 4:30 p.m. every day to be with family.

Tech Insider
Mom with stroller surrounded by corporate offices.

Jordi Mora igual/ Getty Images

I put off having kids until my mid-30s because of my career and had 9 miscarriages. No one tells you how hard it is.

Tech Insider
Mother and son
Harriet Kelsall had her first child in her mid 30s after spending her 20s focused on her career.

Jordi Mora igual/Getty Images

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