When I came to an age where I began my journey into womanhood, my mother would tell me often to make responsible decisions, mainly when it came to my body. Because if I were to get pregnant someday, as she put it, “Your life changes forever, it will never be about you ever again but about that baby.”

This accurate depiction of parenting was an effective scare tactic to keep me from being too irresponsible as a teenager and young adult. Now that I am a mother of two, I can say, as most mothers tend to be, mine was right, your life does change forever.

My kids are six and three, although my youngest would be quick to tell me to let you know he will be four this week. My most important job is not this one I do now as your favorite political commentator, but being a mother, and not for the lovey-dovey Hallmark card reasons you might assume.