Members of the Her magazine readers' panel share what they think is the biggest impact their child has had on their life.

The biggest impact that my son, Gaston Valentino Jordan Jr., has had on my life is helping me understand the unconditional love that God has for me and the capacity I have to give. My son is 20 years old and, from his birth, I have considered him a gift from God. I love him with all my heart.

— Rhonda Jordan, 49. Greenville

"I always knew that I wanted children. After having them, my life's focus changed completely. My children's happiness and success is what brings me my joy. Though I still try to find time for my own interests and hobbies, my favorite ones are the ones I share with my children. Understanding my children and figuring out the best ways to guide them still remains an important goal for me. I want what any mom wants, lasting happiness and inner peace for my children in whatever they choose to do."

— Paula Elks, 39, Greenville

"The biggest impact? WOW! That's a tough question. The biggest impact for me is this huge loss of control. I have this enormous feeling of love for my children that overwhelms me at any given moment making it impossible to keep my composure, like gasping for a breath when one of my children says something profound ... or going into a full sob of joy when my child achieves a milestone that they've worked so hard for ... or spending the night vomiting because my child will go into surgery the next morning and I am overcome with worry. I wouldn't 'choose' to react this way. I do, because I am a mother."

— Elizabeth Oliveira, 37, Greenville

"One of the biggest impacts my children have made in my life is realizing that it is no longer my time, it's their time. It's time to feed them, time to burp them, time to change them, time for day care, time for school, time to pick up from practice. Before you know it, it's time for their high school senior graduation, then college. I have to find time for me and enjoy the time I have with them. When I look back, it was all worth my time and still is."

— Cheryl McCotter, 43, Greenville

"My two children, Taryn and Hunter, have had an impact on my life since the day they were born. The biggest impact has to come when they enter their adult lives. They are both very successful and I feel so proud of that. Someone once told me that your report card as a parent comes when they are grown — if they are able to become successful and independent, you get an A in parenting. Thanks, kids, for my 'A'!"

— Jeri Jackson, 63, Greenville

"Having a child rids you of any bit of selfishness one may have ... you look into the eyes of that totally helpless little person dependant on you and put yourself last from that day forward."

— Jennifer Elmore, 50, Greenville