This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Annie Nicol, 76, who lives in Petaluma, California. Nicol is homeschooling her grandson , who lives with her son in a tiny home on her property. It helps them stay close-knit and financially within their means. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. It's a trend in our family that we take care of our own. My parents, who both lived into their 90s, were retired educators and played a big role in caring for my kids. My son and