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By Shayna Jaeger When I was a girl, I scored well on tests. I got decent grades, had a precocious vocabulary, and was often told that I was very smart. Because of this, I felt guilty about pursuing fun things – I thought I had some sort of obligation to society to use this intelligence to become a scientist. The only problem was that I had no interest in being a scientist.
After college, I discovered political activism. I volunteered for a presidential campaign and became very involved with lobbying for United Nations reform. I enjoyed feeling like I was helping make the world a better place, but there was still something lacking.
Now, at 38, I think I’ve finally figured out what fulfills me. I love being a mom.
I adore watching my little boy discover his world. Even as an infant, he was most definitely his own person, and it constantly delights me to be a part of his explorations of who he is. Even my own passions – music, language, theater – are now seen through the filter of being able to share them with him. I love when he “plays” piano with me, or runs through the house singing songs that he’s made up. We live in an area that has a thriving, family-friendly community theater, and I am so looking forward to him being old enough to play on stage with me.
And the best part? Each day, as he learns and grows and becomes more himself, is even better than the day before.
When I look back on my childhood guilt and feelings of obligation, I shake my head at my naive belief that I had to choose between what I’d like to do and what I thought I should do. With all these desires to make a difference and to change the world, it turns out that the most important thing I will ever do – help nurture a human life – is also the most fun. Comment now and tell us... when did YOU first know? Readers have left 8 comments.  1. Posted by nannygirl on 2008-01-21 17:12:08 kids do keep it real and keeps you grounded.  I have just become a grandmother for the first time of a preemie baby. Before I was a teacher, at home. I was diagnosed with Thalassemia in 1991. So my teaching career came to an end, unless I did it at home to children who were no ill. I feel that raising children is the most Important job in the world as well. We are raising the future of the world. It is not a task to take lightly. We must make sure to take care and raise our children to value faith, family, tradition, and to respect other people of all nationalities and faiths as well. I have two grown up daughters & have become a Grandmother...
They are very happy & successful in their lives. The time from when they were babies was the happiest & most magical for me - I cherish those times & am proud of all they have achieved. My eldest daughter introduced me to VSO - she had been teaching in China - I followed in her footsteps & volunteered to come to Vietnam as an English Teacher/Trainer...my daughters are in London so I miss them very much - I would love to hold my new granddaughter in my arms. What a blessing children are our future generation...  I always tried to do what others wanted me to do and really had a struggle with what I really wanted in life. I vowed my kids would be able to make their own decisions..One day, when my daugher was 10, I told her maybe she should do something cause that is what I used to do when I was her age..she just looked at me and said "but I am not you, mom. I am my own person"..I was so proud at that moment. She really is her own person and doesn't mind what others think or say about her. That was such a great moment. My two young boys are the same way. I am very proud of all three of them. 5. Posted by carrie on 2008-02-24 18:12:40 thank you for helping and supporting ryans book"things that make you go hmmm" ryan touched all that came into his life-you made a difference being by terry and steve's side(ryans mom and dad) u are a miracle worker -terry is a wonderful friend of mine and i wanted to thank u for helping ryan reach his full potential even in his last days-ryans book is something that will reflect upon many as he did Hi! Here I am again! I wish to encourage all of you to read a book called ,"Three Cups of Tea". It helps us understand the Importance of Education , not just for our children , but for children all over the world. Education is the key to Peace. We are all 1/38 of a cousin to each other. So all the children of the world should be just as important as our own children.  7. Posted by Julie C on 2008-05-20 22:05:18 I have just completed my first book ...only took 3 years of on and off inspiring days. I hope it brings inspiring days for others.
Started as therapy, ended as a story about life and how it could all change for us all .
8. Posted by SarahM on 2008-05-21 22:47:01 I have never been worth anything since I left school. Thanks to a failed education system my results were poor and I was made to feel a failure. I ended up in a career I didn’t enjoy and eventually taking part time work when I had my girls and piling on the weight. My eldest has always had very little confidence in her own abilities & a negative outlook on life. Over the past years as I have watched my girls grow into beautiful children I have found a large part of my role as a mother has been to encourage them & build their confidence to face the world and to show them that they can make a positive difference to the world around them. Through this role my own confidence has grown. Writing & publishing a book I saw just how proud of me my girls were, just as I am so very proud of their achievements. I have continued to grow my publishing company to help educate others, and especially children, on the social, environmental & sustainable issues.
I am also very proud to have had the opportunity to become one of the founding members of The FEB Committee. Based in Birmingham we are just a group of working women (some single, some with children and others blessed with grandchildren) who have a dream to encourage and facilitate joined up thinking within communities which will enable people to combine fulfilling careers with their family responsibilities and lifestyle aspirations. We believe that the relationship between businesses and their employees is a critical one and many Government policies are dependant on this relationship being effective.
We are going to find pragmatic solutions, to stimulate joined up thinking and open up dialogue across all parties through an ongoing programme of research, support and education and we are looking to deliver projects which, together, will provide a one stop shop for information and innovative thinking for Families, Education and Businesses.
Now I feel I have a reason to loose weight & its working – I want to be around to make this happen.
I now have a purpose - a very real purpose
Take care of yourselves and each other
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