raising children-- it still is (I only go in a few hours a week, now). The adjustment from accomplishing tasks, getting compliments from judges passed on to me by my bosses, sometimes talking to the press, getting a paycheck almost equal to my husband's, and having intellectual conversations with reasonable individuals who saw me as an expert in my field, to being on a 24-hour clock, outnumbered by tiny, violent, clever, unreasonable people, repeating endless tiny and absolutely necessary tasks, being financially dependent on someone else, and constantly being reminded of how desperately much more I needed to learn and be in order to someday attain a level of adequacy at my new position-- well, it was rough. But I knew it was right, and I knew I had to do it well. I have zero regrets about putting my career on ice in order to become the mother my kids need.

This one day I'd driven up to Nauvoo with the four little kids, and everyone I met that entire day managed to tell me things I didn't know I'd needed to hear-- things like I was doing a good job, being a good mom, etc. I'd gotten run down by the constant battle, and hadn't realized it till I experienced that lift. I've tried to carry that perspective with me, and to share it with young moms who are in the trenches: the idea that good people understand the tremendous physical and mental effort and sacrifice it takes to raise children well, and that they're cheering for you, and that anyone who doesn't see it, doesn't know how to see.

I'm cheering for you!