Toccara Best submitted a request for a year of leave. When it got denied, she quit her job anyway to travel with her husband.

Katie Lynch's ex husband lives in an in-law apartment in the same property she lives. They prioritized their daughter, and it works for them.

I switched my family to DVDs to avoid streaming overload. It transformed our chaotic movie nights into a calmer, quicker, and happier weekly tradition.

For years, I stressed over matching outfits and photo shoots for our family cards. Letting go of that pressure made the holidays peaceful again.

I have one child, and my husband and I are happy with our life. I wish people would stop asking when we're having another.

Tamela Gill Davis explains why she homeschools six kids while her husband, Saints linebacker Demario Davis, plays in the NFL.

I'm downsizing to a smaller apartment after becoming an empty nester. I made some compromises on my new apartment to save money.

My son's school is practically requiring him to have a cellphone, and all his friends have one, too. I just want him to enjoy his childhood.

I thought the empty nest would be heartbreaking. Instead, I found freedom, creativity, and a new way to connect with my kids.

I became a single mom of twins when my fiancé died unexpectedly. My grief rewired inspired me to create a new path forward for all of us.

Growing up without family photos made home feel empty. As a parent, I fill my walls with pictures that tell our story.

When my son wanted a new toy, I decided not to give him the money for it. Instead, he started his own small business in the neighborhood.

I'm moving back to my hometown after 15 years with my family to be closer to my parents. We'll see how it goes for 2026.

After my son was born, postpartum depression and anxiety made it hard to leave the house. Trying new things helped me get out and make friends.

We rounded up the best gift ideas for 12-year-old boys. These presents for tweens cover every interest, including tech, music, gaming, books, and art.

After moving abroad, I worried my kids wouldn't know their grandparents. Here's how we stay connected across 400 miles.

As a family of 6, we've made 5 simple changes to holiday gifting that keep us on budget and focused on the true spirit of the season.

As millennial HENRYs juggling student loans and kids, we've learned to budget, automate, and invest to stay financially secure.

Deirdre Catucci's father was lonely in his large house after his wife died. The daughter moved him into her apartment complex to help care for him.

As an older mom, Annie Leibovitz said she knew her kids "were going to have to deal with me leaving earlier than possibly being around."

"RHONY" star Bethenny Frankel said her almost 10-year-long divorce was difficult. "I literally thought I'll never be happy again," she said.

I gave up a steady salary and flexible hours for peace of mind. Quitting my job taught me what success really means.

My boomer parents always encouraged me to talk about my feelings. I'm parenting after their example.

I wanted my kids to experience a 90s-style childhood, and our new landline showed me how independence can grow with the simplest tools.

When I asked my kids what their favorite part of the holiday season had been, I was surprised at their answer.

Lauren Gilbert, who has stage 4 colon cancer, is writing greeting cards for her kids in advance because she might not make their milestone occasions.

My father chose to spend his money on showing us the world, which he thought was a better investment than anything he could purchase.

When my large family needs to save, we say we're 'holding the line' to keep our budget in check. We limit spending and use everything in the pantry.

I just left my daughter with a babysitter for the first time. I thought it would be hard, but I celebrated in this parental milestone.

I thought stress made me sick. It turned out to be cancer — and I had eight kids counting on me to survive. We relied on food banks and assitance.

Serena Williams and her husband, Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian, have two daughters.

Parker Henry reflects on settling in New England, raising her kids, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with her husband Hunter Henry's NFL career.

Jackie Cazares' 9-year-old daughter, Jackie, was killed in the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. She has kept the girl's bedroom unchanged.

I'm exercising veto power and setting limits for my kids' Christmas gifts to help stay on budget this year

Alicia Keys and her husband, Swizz Beatz, have a blended family of five kids, three of whom are from his previous relationships.

I didn't expect an Oasis concert with my twin son to mean so much, but that night brought us closer and was worth every cent.

As my kids grew up, I feared losing them. But by embracing their music, hobbies, and passions, I found new ways to connect and grow alongside them.

In my culture, children are expected to greet everyone at a family gathering with a hug and a kiss, but my daughter hated it. My family found it rude.

I was sick and tired of my kids asking for cheap souvenirs when we traveled abroad. Now we spend that money on something we all enjoy.

I've been to dozens of countries all over the world. My travel adventures helped prepare me for motherhood in unexpected ways.

After losing my job I became a stay-at-home mom. It's been almost a year and while I have flexibility to do some freelance work, it can be so isolating.

John Morgan of law firm Morgan & Morgan fired his son once from WonderWorks for slacking off. The son got a new job as a dishwasher at Boston Market.

My daughter is an only child, and I don't want to have another baby. I love my family the way it is, so I'm 'one and done.'

When my mother-in-law moved in, I expected chaos. Instead, she saved my sanity, my marriage, and our family life — here's why I'm so grateful.

I had my first child when I was 23. Then, 17 years later I had another. They are the bookends of my becoming.