"What I love about being a mum"
Four mothers talk about Mother's Day and the joys and struggles of family life
Mother's Day is a wonderful time to celebrate our journey through motherhood. Four of our favourite mums share their hopes for Mother's Day, what they love most about being mums, and the tough stuff that goes with it, too.
Snezana Wood with Eve and Willow
Snezana Wood, mum to Eve, Willow, and expecting baby number three.
What are you doing this Mother’s Day?
Sam and the girls have something planned but they won’t let me know. They’re up to something.
What do you enjoy most about being a Mum?
Watching them learn new things. I can’t believe how quickly both girls are growing and changing. And the cuddles of course.
How do you practice self-care?
I’m looking after myself by eating right and working out so I have the energy to keep up with my family. When you’re doing an at-home program finding the time to work out isn’t that hard. I love doing a variety of strength and HIIT.
Marni with husband Dave and son Archie
Marni Little, filmmaker and mum to Archie, 4, and expecting baby number two
What are your plans for Mother’s Day?
To not have to make any decisions! I would love to have breakfast, lunch and dinner planned without anyone asking me what we are having. I’m also expecting a fairly decent preschool gift that I have heard great things about from Arch.
What do you enjoy most about being a Mum?
Last week Archie said to me “Mum, I keep you in my heart so that you are with me everywhere I go”. I never expected to love a human the way I love this one and it blows my mind every single day.
What's the hardest bit?
Caring about someone’s life more than your own is very stressful. And 4-year-olds do not seem to have any sense of self-preservation. It’s incredibly humbling to realise you’d do anything to protect this other human and they’re meanwhile trying to climb up the side of the jungle gym to jump off it.
What's your best/fave parenting hack?
Google. We made a rule in our house that no one says ‘I don’t know’ so now if someone doesn’t know the answer to something they have to Google it. We have watched videos on where corn comes from, how boats are made and the process of milking cows.
Yvette Done and her three children
Yvette Done, TV presenter and mum of three
What are you planning to do this Mother’s Day?
My kids always make me breakfast in bed. My only wish is for a cup of tea and lots of cuddles.
What’s your favourite thing about being a Mum?
My three children are the sparkle in my eye. I love being there when they need me, we laugh (a lot) and cry, navigate through life and learn from each other. You can’t beat being a Mum.
What’s the funniest thing one of your children have ever said?
They constantly crack me up. Why do Seagulls live by the sea? Because if they lived in a bay they’d be bagels.
How do you practice self-care?
Being a Mum is wonderful and challenging. You have to look after yourself ultimately to be the best Mum you can be. Research from the Black Dog Institute has proven that even 10 minutes of exercise a day can lift your mood and even prevent depression – that’s why I’ve been supporting the organisation’s #ExerciseYourMood campaign. You don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefits of exercise. Even low impact exercise like a walk, stretch or gardening can change the way you feel. If you want to kick start your physical activity, check out exerciseyourmood.org
Latoya Shauntay Snell with her son, William
Latoya Shauntay Snell is a road and trail ultra runner, chef and mum to William, 11.
What's your ideal Mother's Day?
Honestly, I don't have any glamorous aspirations for Mother's Day. I enjoy a balanced day mixed with laughter, moments of peace and a great meal.
What do you love most about motherhood?
I love watching my son's overall growth and development. William is exceptionally articulate, vibrant and expressive. As his mother, I'm able to slowly back up and watch him flourish into a promising mini adult.
What's the hardest part?
The hardest part about parenthood is knowing that the world isn't as kind as your child's personality. My husband and I teach our son to be the best person that he can be but I know that he will realistically have outside influences. I worry people passing judgment on him because of his skin colour or his diagnosis.
What's your best parenting hack?
Listening to what my son has to say is just as important as providing his essential needs. I encourage a healthy conversation everyday, even if it's only for a few minutes.
Nicola Conville has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 20 years across a wide range of print and online publications. Her areas of expertise are parenting, health and travel. She has two children; Lucy, age eight, and Nathan, age five.
