Bay Area moms celebrate motherhood

Marilynee Klinkrodt Lydia Nuwaysir

Kiana George

Mother’s Day originated in the 19th century when Ann Reeves Jarvis started “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” to teach mothers how to care for their children. After the Civil War, the clubs were a unifying force that helped promote reconciliation. In the early 1900s, Anna Jarvis, Ann Reeves Jarvis’ daughter, created a Mother’s Day celebration to honor her mother’s death and all the sacrifices mothers make for their children globally.

In May of 1908, Anna Jarvis organized the first official Mother’s day event at a church in West Virginia. After the event gained popularity, Anna Jarvis created the Mother’s Day International Association Group and prodded government officials with letter campaigns, booklets, telegrams, and in-person discussions to get the holiday established nationally. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill declaring Mother’s Day as an official U.S. holiday.

Mother’s Day is now defined as the second Sunday of every May in which the world celebrates the mother of the family, motherhood, and a mother’s influence on society. From holding a baby in her belly for up to 40 weeks to raising her infants through the innocence of childhood and the turmoil of teenage years, a mother will always protect, guide, and most importantly, love her child.

Motherhood is a rich, fulfilling journey but also a test of one’s limits. In a survey of 16 mothers, many agreed that being a mother has taught them patience, forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love without judgment.

“Being a mom is the toughest job I have ever loved. It has taught me to be humble and patient,” Marilynne Klinkrodt, mother of Andrew and Julia, said.

Although parents are generally regarded as teachers to their children, some mothers said that children also teach the parents as well. The experience of having a child leads to many learning opportunities for mothers. “Your children have just as much to teach you as you do them,” Jennie Saro, mother of Jake and Jared, said.

Lydia Nuwaysir, mother of Carlmont students Sabrina and Eric Jackson, feels that motherhood is a unique journey that allowed her to become her best self through both growth and change.

“When I became pregnant with my daughter, I was very worried about how I would ever be able to love her as much as my son. But once she was born, I realized love has no boundaries. It truly doesn’t. She was her own perfect little soul, and I loved her just as fiercely and passionately as my son,” Nuwaysir said.

“I learned that children are a mirror,

Brenda Fong Heddie Turudu

reflecting all your good and bad behavior right back at you. They help you grow as a person because all of your bad behavior is there in stark reality being imitated by them. So you push yourself to change and be better,” she said.

Lisa Kang, mother of Carlmont students Andrew, Rachel, and Noel, says the most significant lesson she has learned as a mother is to let her children find their way as individuals without comparison. “I’ve learned to not get overly stressed out about benchmarks or comparing what your child is achieving versus their classmates, cousins, the neighbor’s kids, etc. We all usually get there in the end, just at different paces and on different paths,” Kang said.

Being a mother is often referred to as the toughest job on the planet. There is no handbook, no exact right way; mothers just have to learn as they go.

Carolyn Federighi, mother of Francesca, Annalisa, Gabriella, and Natali said women need to just “go with the flow and be easy on themselves.” Several mothers said the same phrase: “don’t sweat the small stuff!”

Most mothers seemed to feel that it’s best to relax, take time to enjoy the process, and learn to adjust depending on each child’s individual needs.

‘“If your daughter wants to wear two different shoes to school–let her. If she wants to dye her hair blue–let her. If your kids want Skittles, ice cream, and peanut M&M’s for dinner one night–let them. Don’t be too controlling. Give your kids the freedom to develop their own personalities,” Nuwaysir said.

Heddie Turudu, the mother of the former Carlmont student Safiye, said she had to let go of her expectations and let her daughter be the best she can be without getting in the way. By letting her daughter find her own way, they now have a close relationship.

“She is 20 years old, and she still gives me random hugs and even sometimes texts me how much our conversation helped her,” Turudu said.

To women who are preparing to take on challenges of motherhood, it may seem intimidating and overwhelming. However, mothers share a bond with one another that provides a built-in support network.

“Get out and meet other new moms and form a mom friend group right away. Having young kids can be hard, but it is so much easier and more fun when you share it with other moms going through the same things together,” Rossie said. “Being a mom is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity that is made even better when it’s a shared journey.”

Ultimately, despite the challenges that come with motherhood, all the women agreed that being a mother is very rewarding.

“My favorite thing about being a mother is all the JOY it brings at all stages of life, from the everyday interactions, from little milestones, during proud learning moments, after overcoming challenges, all the way to reaching big celebratory milestones,” Brenda Fong, mother of Brianna, Bailey, and Bella, said.

The women said they enjoyed many aspects of motherhood such as traveling and seeing the world through their kid’s eyes, laughing with their kids, and hugging their kids. “Being a mother is more rewarding than any other job. I really enjoy the company of the very awesome people my kids are,” Helen Koh, mother of Carlmont students Aeon and Xavier Lem said.

Kang is also appreciative of the joys of motherhood. “Watching my children continually changing, growing, becoming the person (I hope) they were meant to be is an amazing, awe-inspiring journey,” Kang said.

As Mother’s Day approaches, while women reflect upon their meaningful role as mothers, it’s also important for children to express gratitude towards them. Because no matter how many months, years, or decades pass, a mother will always cherish and love her child and a child will always need their mother.

MAY 2021 HIGHLANDER 9