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Many of you who are older and wiser have made jokes.

Please, respond sincerely.

At 36, I am in a place of confusion and reflection.

I quit work to stay home for my children,though I will never “regret” that, I question if I could have had done more for society. Had I pursued my PhD in economics, as I originally intended before deciding to stay in my home state for what would be my husband, could have made a larger difference and helped change the course for my children beyond the simplistic day to day? (We would be married either way but i pursued the easier path)

I question if I wasted time trying to impress those I admire most rather than finding my own path. I spent a lot of time rebelling against the advice of those I have grown to revere.I regret that. As I am older now, I feel it also holds me back from taking independent movement towards finding larger purpose.

I also feel this idea of working in what you love and finding purpose, is seeming more of a false reality. As a stay at home mom, I do for what I love most. On the other hand, I know I could do more and feel I am not fulfilling my purpose.

I am a firm believer in regrets should not exist (outside of evil intent). Every moment, every failure, every choice is a lesson and a learning opportunity.

I ask that rather than make jokes, you open up in full honesty, as I have done please lend your wisdom. I apologize for any typos. My phone is not allowing me to scroll properly and both my daughters just woke up) Again, please do not just make light of this question. GIVE THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF FREEPER THE INSIGHT AND THE WISDOM YOU HAVE GAINED!!!!

You have done the right thing. Children well raised is nothing to be sneered at. As an economist, one would have to have exceeded Milton Friedman (hated by the Left to a complete apoplectic fault) in elucidating the firm knowledge of Opportunity society vs. Socialist claptrap and theft by force from the producing public. This is not a knock.

You have no regrets. The internet, wordpress, blogging and getting your thoughts out can be done alongside family raising.

You seem to be concerned that you have not been reaching your potential in life. However, you are only 36 years old and can always go back later to pursue a PhD or other interest. Right now your children come first and you are fulfilling your purpose of the moment. You will find that the years raising them will fly by faster than you could imagine. When they are grown, you can seek seek new goals to work toward in fulfilling a new purpose in life. And I bet your children will be there to support you and cheer you on.

Even in retirement someday, you will find that there is no lack of opportunity to do “more for society.” There are many ways to volunteer to help your community, e.g., become a tutor, an EMT, a 4-H leader, etc. I am speaking from my own experience as someone with a family, a fulfilling past career, and now a busy retirement with several volunteer commitments. Don’t waste time overthinking your past decisions. Focus on your family, and in your spare time start giving some thought as to what you might like to do in the future. Share your ideas with them and with your closest friends. They know you better than anybody else and may begin to see you in a new, interesting light.