What is the best thing motherhood has taught you?
Kerry: "Don't be surprised by anything! But seriously; My capacity to love just increases with each child born. They are treasures. When you have just one child, it’s hard to imagine how you will make room for the next one, and a very wise lady told me, 'each baby brings its own love'."

What achievements are you most proud of as a mother?
Kerry: "The fact that I had a hand in steering my children through the treacherous path of adolescence, and I am so proud of my children who all have the values of kindness, compassion, and generosity."

What has been your most enjoyable 'mum moment' to date?
Kerry: "Their weddings, and then their babies. Watching them use their talents to create success in family and working life. They are all great human beings, with the faith and wisdom to now teach the next generation."

What's your favourite thing to do with your kids?
Kerry: "As a widow, I need someone to cook for, so I love having family gatherings be it just at home or on holiday together. I am so blessed that my children seem to enjoy having me around.

What's the greatest thing your mum has taught you?
Alex: "It’s hard to say just one great thing because there are many wise and also quirky things that I appreciate. But there are a few strong values that she lives by that I try to adopt, including 'Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself'."

What's your favourite thing to do with your mum?
Alex: "I quite simply like having mum around and part of our daily lives. In this chapter of life, I enjoy having her for casual family dinners, getting to see and be part of our kids' lives."

What's a quality that you can see in yourself that comes from mum?
Alex: "Mum has an incredible capacity to keep calm and not let small things get the better of her. I feel this is a gift she has passed down to me. Especially now, I juggle so many different roles and tasks, and keeping calm taking one day/task at a time helps me accomplish what I need."

How has your relationship with your mum changed as you've grown older?
Alex: "Our relationship has moved from once being dependent on mum for everything, a real mum and baby daughter relationship, to now being able to say that my mum is my best friend. I talk to her about everything and like to seek her approval or advice on my life. My week doesn’t feel complete if I haven’t had some time chit-chatting or seeing her, just hanging out."

 

What is the best thing motherhood has taught you?  
Michelle: "Total unconditional love."

What achievement are you most proud of as a mother?  
Michelle: "Seeing both of my children work towards their goals and achieving them."

What's been your most enjoyable 'mum moment' to date?  
Michelle: "There have been many but more particularly watching both of my children grow from wee babies to fine young adults." 

What's your favourite thing to do with your kids? 
Michelle: "To spend quality time with them - Whether that be going away with them and their lovely Partners for the weekend, having brunch or dinners together, walking Tess our dog together, just having fun, and spending time together!"

What's the greatest thing your mum has taught you?
Lauren: "My mum has taught me a lot of things but a few key ones would be resilience and how to bounce back from different situations and to not take life too seriously."

What's your favourite thing to do with your mum?
Lauren: "My favourite thing to do with my mum is going for walks in the morning to grab morning coffee! We take our dog and pass by the beach. It's a great way to start the day."

What's a quality that you can see in yourself that comes from mum?
Lauren: "Hard work and dedication. My mum is extremely hard working and has shown me that if you put your mind to something you can achieve anything you want. I know that sounds cheesy but it's true!"

How has your relationship with your mum changed as you've grown older?
Lauren: "I've learned to appreciate my mum a lot more and the time I spend with her. As you get older you learn what is most important in life and my family is one of those things. I will be forever grateful for what my mum has done for me and how she has raised me!" 

 

Chris & Tina

What is the best thing motherhood has taught you?
Tina: "That love is neither conditional nor finite and to treasure the memory of 'the sleep-in'."

What achievement are you most proud of as a mother?
Tina: "That I have raised nice people who are kind, loyal, funny, and respectful of other humans."

What's been your most enjoyable 'mum moment' to date?
Tina: "There are lots to choose from but spending last Christmas day with just the two of them, laughing, eating, and playing silly card games was right up there. I realised that not only do I love my kids, I like them too."

What's your favourite thing to do with your kids?
Tina: "Travelling - I love going on excursions with them to places around New Zealand and having adventures."

What's the greatest thing your mum has taught you?
Chris: "The list is long (she’s very wise), most importantly how to be empathic and respectful towards my peers, surroundings, and self. She’s shown me that nothing beats a well-timed joke, a glass of good wine, and the excitement of the unexplored."

What's your favourite thing to do with your mum?
Chris: "Going to shows with mum is always a hoot! Whether it's a play, musical, or concert we always have the best times together as a family." 

What's a quality that you can see in yourself that comes from mum?
Chris: "Open-mindedness - Life has its way of consistently offering up new challenges and Mum, more than anyone, has always met these with a level-head and a kind heart. She’s allowed me to grow up knowing she will always be there cheering from the sidelines, regardless of the choices I make for myself. It’s an incredibly rare quality and one I’ve tried hard to incorporate into my way of thinking."

How has your relationship with your mum changed as you've grown older?
Chris: "I’ve grown to understand and appreciate just how cool mum has always been. She brings such amazing energy into every situation and isn’t afraid to step outside of her comfort zone. So much of my personality has developed through replication of hers, which makes me proud. I’ve gone from seeing her a just as my mum to one of my best friends." 

 

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and others out there, from A&C xx