NORMAL - Gretchen Zaitzeff of Normal didn't make the cut a couple of weeks ago to become National Young Mother of the Year. But that's OK. "It could complicate my life and take time away from being a mother," said the Illinois Young Mother of the Year before the national competition.

The 2008 National Young Mother of the Year award went to a New Hampshire woman in competition sponsored by American Mothers Inc., a national organization dedicated to preserving the moral and spiritual foundations of the family in America. AMI is an interfaith, nonpolitical, nonprofit group.

Thus, Zaitzeff will have more time to devote to her six children, ranging from 5 to 17 years old.

It's a role she cherishes.

Even today, on Mother's Day, as she anticipates breakfast in bed, she also expects to be mothering.

"I find the mommy track very fulfilling," she said, adding that while the state Young Mother honor is flattering, she doesn't consider herself the best mother in Illinois. "I hope I'm a good representative of all the other women who work hard at being the best mother they can be," she said.

The award is intended to honor outstanding mothers still raising children under 18.

Kori Bird of Naperville, Young Mother Search Chair of the Illinois Association of American Mothers Inc., said what makes Zaitzeff stand out "is a good perspective on teaching her children values."

Donna Cummings, of Bloomington, who nominated Zaitzeff for honors, is a mother of five herself.

She said Zaitzeff is unique in that "she is one of those people who generates the good in everybody. You can see that in her children.

"She is very deserving of the honor. She is committed," Cummings said, adding, "I've never seen her streamline any of her kids. All are a bit different."

"Much of what I know about Gretchen as a mother has come from observing and working with her children," said her bishop, Brian Hafen, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who also wrote a nominating letter for Zaitzeff.

A typical day for Zaitzeff begins about 5 a.m., when she makes breakfast for older children who attend a church class before school. Later, there's another round of breakfasts for the younger children. Still later, she works at home on her online business. When her youngest, Zane, returns from morning pre-school they read books or ride bicycles.

After 3 p.m., when after-school activities begin, it gets more hectic. There are piano lessons, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, track, chess, band and debate. Zaitzeff is the chauffeur for much of that activity.

"From 3 p.m. on, I spend a lot of time in the car," she said.

"She creates an environment where the children can learn and grow," said husband Todd, who works in Bloomington as a consultant for Blackwell Consulting Services.

Married 20 years in July, Zaitzeff said his wife tries new things to enrich her children. This includes becoming a chess club administrator for their elementary school chess team despite having little knowledge of chess.

This willingness to try anything for the benefit of her children "shows a strength of character," said Todd, adding that his wife is a good mother because of her "love, care and concern for each of our children."

Gretchen Zaitzeff said the greatest joy from being a mother is "the first time your toddler spontaneously says they love you."

She is influenced at being a mother by her work experience and by her childhood in Northern Virginia, where she was the oldest of James and Linda Kearney's seven children.

"My youngest sibling was born when I was 17, so I got a lot of mothering experience in my own family," Zaitzeff said.

Still, she doesn't claim to be the perfect mother or to be raising perfect children, and she hopes her state honor "calls attention to all the good mothers in Illinois."

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Six kids

The Zaitzeff children:

• Alexander, 17

• Mikel, 15

• Anna, 13

• Tim, 10

• Xavier, 7

• Zane, 5

Mom tips

Tips on how to be a good mother:

• Listen to your children.

• Meet their emotional as well as physical needs.

• Teach them the values of honesty and integrity.

• Teach them respect and love for a deity.

• Help each child cultivate talents.

• Make your children a priority.

• Have down time or a family day that is dedicated to being together as a family with no outside activities.

• Have rules and be firm about the rules.

• Give your children responsibilities like clearing the table, emptying the dishwasher or mowing the lawn.

• Invest time in your relationship with your child so they know you care.

SOURCES: Gretchen Zaitzeff and Donna Cummings