A celebration of motherhood
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate the unconditional bond a mother figure shares with their loved ones.
Motherhood is a lifelong journey, running through moments filled with all the emotions in the world: pride, worry, joy, fear and above all, a greater love. We want to share three beautiful Motherhood stories that celebrate all of the little moments that end up being the big ones.
MOANA HOPE & HER DAUGHTER, SVEA
WHAT DOES THE WORD UNCONDITIONAL MEAN TO YOU?
To love someone for all they are, and not have expectations on who they should be, what they look like or who they love. Accepting, loving and supporting someone for all of them. That’s unconditional love.
HOW HAS MOTHERHOOD CHANGED YOU?
I’ve learned to appreciate the small things more. I think before I became a mum, I thought life was just work, being social and everything else that comes with it. Now that I’m a mum, with every spare second I get, all I want to do is take my daughter for a swim, or to an indoor play centre or ride the bike with her. It’s the small things that make me happy, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN ABOUT PARENTING?
‘Put down the books and just let your motherly instincts kick in.’ Leading into having bub we are reading books, listening to podcasts, and once Svea was born it was so overwhelming with all the expectations these platforms set for parents. Once we got this advice we just put it all down and focused on being mums. We know exactly how we want to raise our baby girl and if we didn’t get this advice, I think our heads would still be trying to reach milestones that are written in books. In reality, all babies and kids are different, so we can’t expect to treat them all the same.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE SHARED SINCE BECOMING A PARENT?
As a parent, the milestones of crawling, walking, first words and throwing a ball always come to mind. But for me, it was Svea’s first smile, it lit up my heart in a way I can’t describe. Even to this day when she smiles it changes my day for the better. Loving a tiny human that calls you mum is the greatest feeling I’ve ever experienced.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE RITUALS OR TRADITIONS YOU SHARE TOGETHER?
Svea is super active, so as soon as she wakes she starts with reading 4 books in bed, and then she is out into the Lego, and then on her little 3 wheeler bike and this is all in the first hour or waking. Now this sounds crazy busy, but I love it. Starts my day with crazy happy love.
WHAT'S ONE THING NOBODY TOLD YOU ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
Raising a girl would be tough. And not because girls are hard, but even at the age of 1, I worry about her future. I worry because I want her to always have equal opportunities to her male counterparts, I want her to never be judged because she is a female, or that she isn’t targeted because she is a female. I want her to know that she is a queen and she can do anything and I will raise her that way.
Moana is a former AFLW player based in Melbourne, follow her pregnancy journey at @moanahope
Explore Moana’s Mother’s Day Edit here.
DENI TODOROVIĆ & THEIR MOTHER, MACA
WHO IS YOUR MOTHER, WHAT ROLE DOES SHE PLAY IN YOUR LIFE?
My Mother is the exceptional Maca Todorović. She gave birth to me thirty-four years ago and we’ve been best friends ever since. She is my mother, my mentor, my best friend, my sister all rolled into one!
WHAT IS THE GRATEST PIECE OF ADVICE MACA HAS GIVEN YOU?
It’s probably not so much advice as much as it is her leading by example. My mum has always taught me to back myself and also to work hard. I get my work ethic from my mother.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER?
My favourite thing about my Mum is her big heart. The woman is unconditional love personified.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE RITUALS OR TRADITIONS YOU SHARE TOGETHER?
Without a doubt our favourite rituals are binge watching The Kardashians and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills with an ice cream in hand. And shopping! We LOVE to shop together!
HOW HAS MACA SHAPED YOU?
My mother has shaped the core of who I am. She has always been there for me through every one of life’s ups and downs, a resilient queen who is braver than anyone I know.
Deni is a fashion stylist and journalist based in Geelong, see their amazing work at @stylebydeni
LISA DE SANCTIS AND HER SON, FRED
WHAT DOES THE WORD UNCONDITIONAL MEAN TO YOU?
It is the ultimate bond between a mother and child. A love that is natural and without question. I love my son wholeheartedly and nothing is ever going to change that. I will accept & love him fiercely no matter what.
HOW HAS MOTHERHOOD CHANGED YOU?
I definitely think it has brought out my softer side. I am more emotional & much more patient than I used to be.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN ABOUT PARENTING?
Don’t change your habits to suit the baby, rather, you have them get used to your lifestyle right from the start. So my husband Danial and I have included Fred in as much as we possibly can so he has fitted into our way of life. We take him to the gym, travel with him, take him to events - so nothing really fazes him which is amazing. He is also super social because of it!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE SHARED SINCE BECOMING A PARENT?
We hiked to Wineglass Bay in Tasmania with him when he was four months old & it was such a special trip. They are memories we will have forever as a family.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE RITUALS OR TRADITIONS YOU SHARE TOGETHER?
We read to Fred before every night before he goes to bed. He has his favourite books and seeing him become more alert & involved as he grows is so special. I also sing to him every time I put him down for a nap (the same song) & he always smiles back up at me when I hit the chorus which is such a thrill to see.
WHAT'S ONE THING NOBODY TOLD YOU ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
I knew it would be really hard but I don’t think I was prepared for how incredibly time consuming it would be. Especially breast feeding! I don’t think I was ready for how often/long I would need to do it, particularly at the beginning, I felt like he was permanently attached! In saying that, it is such special bonding time between a mother and child I feel really lucky that I was able to do it so easily with him.
Lisa is a fashion and lifestyle blogger based in Melbourne, follow her work at @lisa_desanctis
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