Because this article has been quite the buzz on social media lately I decided to write my own response to this blogger's post. I have to admit the first time I saw it, I decided to ignore it because I knew it wasn't true and it seemed a waste of time to read in to. However, as I began to see the effect this was having on so many people (not to mention my five-year old daughter who was furious about this woman's words and cried) I decided to add my two cents.

I Look Down On Young Women With Husbands And Kids And I’m Not Sorry

Here is my response:

Dear Amy,

The first thing that came to my mind when I read your article was that if it weren’t for a mother you wouldn’t be here. You said in your article "You will never have the time, energy, freedom or mobility to be exceptional if you have a husband and kids." I'm not sure how you define exceptional but I couldn't find that statement further from the truth. I'd like to share with you my story of being a young, full-time stay at home mother of four and an entrepreneur.

Being someone who has experienced both worlds and took a planned course of motherhood, I couldn’t be happier having been able to go after my dreams while fulfilling the most important role on this Earth – raising a family.

I got engaged to the love of my life at age 18 and married at age 19. An easy "task" according to you, however both my husband and I worked full-time while attending college full-time through fall, spring and summer semesters until we both had graduated and paid off our loans.

At age 23 I was a college graduate still working full-time and had built my first home. My husband and I loved to travel and I was working in my field if study in a well paying job and writing my first book. While some may have looked at me and thought I was living my dreams, I was actually staring out the office window each day dreaming about being a mother and quitting the nine to five. I had much bigger dreams and felt trapped inside a brick and mortar building that was holding me back. I wasn’t happy.

Well, at age 25 I had accomplished that “task”. Giving birth to your first child is indescribable. My husband and I melted in tears of joy as we saw our beautiful son for the first time. There was a bond there that was instant and couldn’t be broken. For the first time, I felt I had the most important responsibility in the entire world that a degree or fancy job title couldn’t match.

I quit my job which meant learning to be extremely frugal. I learned to be selfless, patient, loving, compassionate and understanding in ways I had never experienced before. My life had transformed and I was better for it. The rewards for choosing this course have been undeniably incredible. While spending each day teaching, loving and nurturing my children I also take the time to nurture my own talents. I’m an inventor of an As Seen on TV product, a national acclaimed author, a business owner, a songwriter, a motivational speaker and a blogger just like you.

Yes, I do all of these things in addition to raising a family of 5 1/2 full-time. I get to stay home and play with my children all day and during school hours and nap-time I get to go after my additional dreams. The skills and attributes I have learned from being a mom have been priceless and no doubt have opened up doors for me that have changed my life. I was humbled and honored to be awarded Wasatch Woman Magazine’s “Mother of the Year” in 2010 and have been able to positively influence many woman who want to be full-time mothers and go after their dreams.

Yes, anyone can get married and anyone can have children but not anyone can have a successful and rewarding marriage and enriching family life. Not a day goes by that I ever regret these last 13 years with my sweet husband. Nor, do I regret being the mother of (almost) four beautiful children. Each day I wake up and get out of bed, I get to be a part of something very special. I get to help these children nurture their talents and become exceptional people who will grow up to help make this world a better place. I get to be a part of making a big impact on this world – raising a loving and caring family. It’s loving and caring families that make up the thread work of a healthy society which is why it’s the most important role in this world – not a menial task. Its tough work that requires a lot of strength, effort and sleepless nights – but it’s worth it.

Amy, I hope someday that you will get to experience being a wife and a mother. Being able to willingly put the needs of others before yourself is something everyone needs to experience. It transforms your life in a way you will never understand until you experience it first hand. I have never been happier and more fulfilled than I am as a wife and mother.

Best wishes to you and your endeavors,

Lindsey