Bec,

When I read the first line of your post, it went straight into my heart because for so many years I felt this way. Even after I had my oldest daughter I was scared I was going to screw it up. When I found out I was pregnant with my youngest, I made my husband tell my parents I was pregnant-this was after my mother told me 'you might want to not have any more children because you have such a hard time with this one'. For years I thought I was the world's worst mom. Then four or five years ago it dawned on me, I have these wonderful daughters that, like you said, are given compliments on their politeness, helpfullness, etc...they didn't just stand around and raise themselves-my husband and I raised them and did a damn good job. We're good parents and I'm a good mother. Man that feels good to say that, doesn't it??!!