On average, my babies weigh 9&1/2lbs.  No, I did not “overeat” during pregnancy.

As infants, my babies do not gain weight fast.  By one year, they are rarely double their birthweight, so forget about the triple birthweight benchmark.  No, I don’t “starve” my babies.

I have had late walkers, late talkers/speech impediments, and autism with some of my children.  No, I am not intentionally “stunting” their development.

Only two of my children have attended any kind of “school” setting outside of home.  My two oldest were in part-time preschool.  I will not likely send any of my others.  No, I am not “over-protecting” my children.

I have had two stay in pull-ups (so far) at night beyond four years, and one of those was seven before he stopped night-wetting.  No, I am not “too lazy” to get up with them at night.

My children will be taught that Creationism is the truth.  They will learn that abstinence before marriage is the ONLY safe s*x.  They will grow up with the knowledge that GOD condemned homos*xuality.  No, I will not teach them to “hate” evolutionists, those in pre- or extra-marital s*xual relationships, or homos*xuals.

All of these things and more, are either how we choose to live our lives, or the result of our beliefs and methods.  We do not exist in fear and worry.  I’ve seen too many people crippled - and I mean physically - by fear and worry, that I have had to choose to not go down that road.  I have had lots of opportunity to indulge; but each time fear and worry stared me straight in the eye, I’ve had to ask my Heavenly Father for the grace and courage to stare right back, and keep on walking. 

I am not a bad mom.  In fact, I don’t even think I’m an average mom.  I think, in spite of the mistakes that I do make, that I’m a great mom.  I do not live my life to gain credit or praise.  I am not trying to set records, to get my name in the Guinness Book.  I do not spend my days trying to figure out ways to irritate you with my mothering methods.  I am not trying to make you look bad.  I am no martyr.  I make my share of mistakes, wrestle with my own wants and selfish tendencies, and struggle with my carnal nature every day.  But I love my kids.  Don’t you dare kid yourselves into thinking you care more.  My kids are my life.  I am walking this road to please One Person only, and you’re not it.  I’m not living my life to prove anything to you or to anyone so wholey unconnected to me or MY family. 

So if I’m not measuring up to what you think is the standard that I need to achieve, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a hero.  My best will never be good enough for you.