I love this, Kristin. I began motherhood very young, and even with 5 kids I'll be younger than 50 when they're all adults. I used to look forward to middle age as the time when I'd really do the things I want and love to do, but then realized that that mindset put my kids at odds with my sense of self. I don't want to be wishing their childhoods away so I can find some time for myself--I'd rather find a way to be the mom I want to be without completely setting myself aside. Personally I'd like to reclaim the word "selfish", because I think that self-preservation alongside selflessness is a healthy thing to model for kids. Plus, there are no guarantees I'll live to see 50. My children are so much to me, but they simply can't be every thing in order for me to be a whole person.