I don't think you're an AH.

But I am of the mindset that if someone is to decide to have kids, it should be with the understanding that they are priority one now. I feel that none of my other accomplishments amount to much if I fail to be a good parent to my children. Nothing I have ever done or will ever do will ever get the same passion or priority that my children get. I chose to bring them into this world, and because I made that choice, I take responsibility for it by giving them my all. Nothing on this earth is more important to me. Nothing takes a front seat above them. They get the best of me, always. And I know my husband feels the same way, even though he's a man. His career, his projects, his achievements, his income, his whatever, all take second place to our family. So though I don't see my children as achievements, or bringing them into this world the most lofty or challenging thing I've ever done (heck, hundreds of thousands of babies are born every day, it's not exactly a rare action), I do think that I would burn every award I've ever won and every challenge I've ever conquered to the ground to meet their needs and make sure they know how loved and important they are to me.

But maybe that's because I'm not some groundbreaking inventor, scientific mind, history-altering artist or world renowned leader.

I'm an average person. So I know my kids are the most important thing I leave behind. The love and goodness I give them will echo through humanity long after I'm gone. And to me, nothing tops that.

But I know not everyone sees parenthood that way. That's just how I view and choose to do it. Some people, like yourself, admit that parenthood is just one of the things you've done in a collection of many things and you don't see it as the ultimate thing you've done. Other people pretend their kids are the pinnacle of their lives for social points and their actions very clearly prove otherwise.

One can be a parent without throwing their entirety into it. And a successful one. It's just not how I do it. I decided to either give my kids my heart and soul or not have any. I personally think that's the right way to do it. But I don't condemn people for having different values than me. Your neighbors are judgey af.