I chose this job of being a parent, and thank goodness I did. The work is difficult enough having consciously made that choice. I can't imagine fulfilling this parenting role if I had taken it on under duress. When my twin boys were in utero, I placed my hands on their heads each morning and said, "I love you. I am here for you." I continue to repeat these words every day, more by actions than with words. My son recently shared a story he had written, and I realized a bit of my soul had seeded in his own - a seed that will grow on his terms, to its own fruition. This revelation was as close to a raise as I will ever get, and more important to me than any professional accolade I might receive.

I chose this job of being a parent, and thank goodness I did. The work is difficult enough having consciously made that choice. I can't imagine fulfilling this parenting role if I had taken it on under duress. When my twin boys were in utero, I placed my hands on their heads each morning and said, "I love you. I am here for you." I continue to repeat these words every day, more by actions than with words. My son recently shared a story he had written, and I realized a bit of my soul had seeded in his own - a seed that will grow on his terms, to its own fruition. This revelation was as close to a raise as I will ever get, and more important to me than any professional accolade I might receive.