- May 9, 2026
-
-
Loading
Loading
When it comes to raising children, mothers love those happy moments filled with laughter, smiles, hugs, and kisses.
But every mother knows she also has to deal with not-so-happy moments, whether that involves illness, dealing with a child who ignores directions, or calming a child who is throwing a temper tantrum.
All of those times define motherhood and also have led to Mother’s Day, celebrated on the second Sunday of May each year, which honors mothers for all they do.
Waterside’s Victoria Ortiz, 24, said she wasn’t aware how much love she could give until her now 7-month-old son, Flynn Ortiz, came along.
“He didn’t just make me a mother,” Ortiz said. “He showed me parts of my heart I had never met before. That's something I’ll carry with me forever.”
Ortiz said the most difficult part of motherhood is the constant worrying, which doesn't allow her mind time to rest. She is still trying to figure out a good balance in her life now that she is a mother — being the best mother she can be while still finding pieces of herself as well.
Some days it can feel overwhelming, but that mother’s love carries her through. she said Flynn has changed her life for the better, some in which she called "indescribable ways."
“He lights up my world and it’s been amazing to watch his little personality develop,” Ortiz said. “Even on the hard days, he will always do something to make me smile and it is a bond that will never fade. He’s my whole entire world.”
Braden Woods’s Bronte Bogetti, 29, said she has struggled with anxiety but noted that becoming a mother has made her a stronger person.
“I take my focus off myself and have to focus on taking care of my kids and being there for them,” Bogetti said. “It’s almost a positive/healthy distraction.”
She has two children, a 2-year-old son, CJ, and a 6-month-old daughter, Brynley.
Bogetti said the most difficult thing she has gone through as a mother is adjusting from raising one child to two. She does her best to spend one-on-one time with both of her kids.
She said becoming a mother has strengthened her marriage with her husband, Cooper. She said their love for each other is stronger as they work as a team to raise their kids.
“Even in the hard moments, I wouldn't trade it for the world,” Bogetti said. “We say all the time, having kids is the best thing we've ever done.”
Summerfield’s Olivia Bliss, 31, said while some mothers think being a mother shouldn’t define their identity, she is proud to say being a mother is her purpose in life.
She grew up with six brothers and a stay-at-home mom, Valerie Guastalli. She couldn’t wait to become a stay-at-home mother herself.
Bliss has three sons — 6-year-old Cassian, 4-year-old Charlie and 2-year-old Francis. She and her husband, Kyle, are expecting another baby boy in October.
Bliss said with each child, her time as a mother has gotten easier. She said different challenges arise with each age and temperaments are often a wildcard. She said every child goes through phases of not listening or being a picky eater but how you handle it might differ based on the child and age.
“Mothers shape the minds and hearts of future generations,” Bliss said. “To me, there’s nothing more important or impactful than that.”
Monterey at Lakewood Ranch’s Yuliya Pugach, 33, said the most impactful part of motherhood is knowing everything she does, including teaching morals and the way in which she speaks to her children, will impact them for the rest of their lives.
She acknowledged that it impacts not only her five children — 13-year-old Sophia, 12-year-old Victoria, 10-year-old Angelina, 6-year-old Ellia and 1-year-old Josiah, it also impacts those they come into contact with.
Pugach said one of her biggest challenges is learning what “the right way” to parent is based on the child. She said when she has figured something out, she feels as though a different solution might be better.
She said she is growing and making mistakes along the way.
“It (motherhood) teaches you what true unconditional love really is,” Pugach said. “I love my husband, I love my parents, I love my siblings, I love my friends. The love I have for my kids is different — there is nothing they can do to ever lose my love. How cool is it to have your own little built-in besties for life?”
Mallory Park’s Rachel Marks, 37, is a single mom of four girls — 11-year-old Victoria, 10-year-old Kylee, 8-year-old Kinsley, and 4-year-old Arabella. She said her daughters are her biggest blessings.
Each day, she appreciates watching her daughters grow as they showcase their personalities.
For Marks, motherhood has taught her patience, unconditional love, resilience and “what truly matters in life.” She said every time she hears “Mom,” reminds her why she does it. She knows she is raising strong and loving girls.
As a single mom, it isn’t always easy.
“There are stressful days, moments of exhaustion, and times where I carry the weight of everything on my own,” Marks said. “Trying to be strong for them while managing life’s responsibilities can be overwhelming at times, but even through the hard moments, I continue to push forward. My daughters deserve the very best version of me.”
Country Club West’s Judy Henderson, 75, looks back on raising her children, Toni and Chris, who are now 52 and 50.
“My son is a wonderful dad and my daughter's a wonderful mom,” Henderson said. “They must have learned that somewhere.”
Henderson recommends having children young. She said it's easier to chase them around.
She said the most difficult part about being a mother for her was when she became an empty nester after they moved out. She had been looking forward to having her own space, but soon felt lonely.
She treasures it when they visit now and is taking in every moment, watching her four grandchildren grow.
“If I knew they were going to turn out to be such wonderful and good human beings as they grew older, I would've had five or six kids instead of two,” Henderson said. “They're the two things I did right in my whole life.”
