What Makes Me Proud As A Mom

There had been a time that I cannot help but feel uncomfortable when some people learn that I have seven kids and three of them have special needs. The questions and reactions at times were unnerving which made me decide to become aloof after that or pretend to ignore their existence which may include strangers and sadly other family relatives. There was even a time a snoopy kid from our neighborhood told my kids that how come their mom was again pregnant when they were already too many to handle. Since my kids had always been spitfires, one of my daughters told this kid that it was none of her business and that since they were many, they do not need an extra playmate who was such a gossiper at a very young age. 

Hmm. I wonder where they got that from.

Sadly it was too late for me to contemplate how unprepared I was when I had gotten married and how the kids came to my world one by one.Though it was tempting to resort to abortion due to hopelessness and depression, my deep rooted values won and so all of them were born, miraculously with no birth complications but sadly three were not spared with special disabilities. Still I carried on. From a stay at home mom of thirteen years I took the risk and decided to work even if it would mean the kids being separated for the first time. We all adjusted to that great change in our lives and some were initially affected, myself included. There were days that I felt like giving up and at times question fate on how long the ordeal will go on. 

Looking back now I have realized that accepting motherhood have never been easy at first especially if one became a Mom unprepared and the learning turned more challenging as the years went on. Now after twenty-one years of being a Mom, I have learned that the simple things and achievements are what made me most proud of.Two of my girls already had finished their studies. Two are still in college and the other three who have special needs are also in school. Though financially we are not well off, with lots of bills and debts to pay and with no place of our own yet, my kids turned out to be healthy,independent and hardworking who value their studies and the people who have helped us along the way. What more  they have been gifted with this innate ability to see the brighter things in life by choosing to laugh more and accept to live within our means. Such core values that would make any mother proud. And since May is that time of the year when we recognize and appreciate not just our own mothers but any mother, whether biological or not for that matter, I am inviting everybody to join Mommy Mundo's "You The Mom!" Campaign  this coming EXPOMOM 2014.

"You ! The Mom " campaign affirms  all the awesome things that Moms do every single day, whether they' re taking care of their children at home, working on a business, doing volunteer work for a cause they believe in or helping out a friend in need. It will celebrate you and all fellow moms who inspire others at this year's biggest mom gathering , EXPO MOM 2014. EXPO MOM puts the spotlight on the inspiring things Moms do for their families and communities through this event, where it will feature all day talks on May 16 and 18, interactive activities and the signature mompreneur market EXPO MOM had been known for. Check out the schedule of activities, list pf exhibitors and vendors at www.expomom.com. It will also feature 8 inspiring moms through the You the Mom ! online gallery, with photography by Cres Yulo. Happening this weekend, May 16-18, 2014 from Friday to Sunday at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center, Palm Drive, Makati City, EXPO MOM 2014 will feature more than 60 booths showcasing your fave brands, mompreneur businesses and the latest services and resource for moms. Get a chance to win P5,000 shopping spree at EXPO MOM ! Post your own "You the Mom !" Statement on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Share what you are most proud of as a mom using the hashtags #youthemom and #expomommanila. Deadline of posts is on May 15,2014.