How much of the life you've lived was based upon the fact that you had children? If you hadn't what kind of life might you have had instead?

I think having kids helps you to become a "better" person. You want to be a good role model, good example and so you strive to be just that for them.

Not saying that those who don't have kids aren't fine and wise and kind and good all alone on their own. But for me personally I know that being a mom changed me from the person I was becoming to the person I am. Whether that effect has lasted I cannot judge. My son left at 17 to go away to college and has mostly been on his own since then with occasional "living at home" during his earliest years. What kind of Rosemarie would I have been without him? I will never know.