Being Fulfilled

I had lunch today with my old friend Nikki, in town from London, and some of her childhood friends from Detroit. We enjoyed burgers and sweet potato fries and hours of conversation on a myriad of topics. At one point the conversation turned to dating and children and being fulfilled. One of the women there said that although she loved her children (and felt bad saying this because she would never want anything to happen to them) raising them was not the most fulfilling thing she has done in her life. That is so rare to hear a parent admit. I so appreciated her honesty. I find that out of fear of being judged, parents tend to act as if everything is hunky dory all the time or give the impression that nothing in life measures up. In a way it was eyeopening to realize it's okay to find things other than parenting fulfilling. Having a career you love can be fulfilling; traveling the world can be fulfilling; being financially free can be fulfilling. I know that I have always wanted to be a mother and I know that I will find it fulfilling but I do wonder where on the hierarchy it will lie. Now, granted, I was sitting in the kitchen with a lawyer, a fashion designer, an obstetrician and a university professor! These are women who have done very well in their careers, traveled the world, speak foreign languages, publish and start companies!! Quite frankly, they have done a lot more than most mothers so that may have something to do with it. But coming home to an empty house with nothing more interesting on tonight's agenda than paying bills and working on my blog, I know I would find hanging out with my kiddo more fulfilling!!!

Parents out there, where would you rate raising children on your list of fulfilling things?