12/05/2024
This mother’s day, let’s learn a thing or two about motherhood from our fellow alumna supermom Jannie May from batch 2000. Coming from a big family, Jannie have always wanted to have a family of her own and a big one too.
Jannie became a mother at the age of 22 and since they envision a big family she knows she had to work harder to fulfill that goal so she didn’t just rely on her husband who had been an ofw. As their family is growing, they have tried several business ventures too whilst hustling online and managing her own travel and tours.
Here’s two most important questions we would like to share from an informal chat interview this mother’s day special:
Q: What is your biggest challenge as a mother and what did you do about it?
A: Now at 41 having 5 kids reminds me that each child is really unique. Each has his/her own strengths and weaknesses. Proud to share that 4 of my kids from eldest to fourth are doing well academically. Of course as a mother I am teaching them not just to do well in school but also to have a good relationship towards other people, to be thankful and appreciative of life and most of all be a good Christian. That must be the basis of their daily living.
My biggest challenge as a mother is when I learned about my 5th child Gab’s condition. When the Developmental Pedia told me that he's under spectrum it's hard to accept that fact. First thing came to my mind was will he grow normal? Can he have his own family? Can he go to school? Then GUILT came over me. As a mother you cannot pinpoint or blame someone with what happens to your child. You would always ask yourself why it happened? Was it something I’ve done? Too many ifs just flash my mind that time.
Then as days go by, as Gab's mother I just cant accept the fact about Gab's limitations with my initial knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). I made a lot of research, joined online groups about Autism, asked friends... then I learned he is SPECIAL. There are lots of well known people having ASD that succeeded. My simple principle now is, I am Gab's mother and as long as I am healthy and able I will do everything within my power and capabilities to provide him therapies and all to make him turn into a better individual.
Q: Do you have a message to our fellow alumni mothers?
A: We mothers are the compass of our children’s future. If the compass doesn't work perfectly, the journey of our kids future is weak on the other hand if the compass is strong and reliable, they will build confidence, will have a smooth journey in life and will turn into strong independent individuals we parents can be proud of. And that’s when we can say to ourselves we’ve done our part as mothers.
Mothers deserve all the support we can give coz we know they have too much on their plates. Check-out Jannie’s family business “Shirt and Sou” in the New Public Market Building, Poblacion Zone 2 where they offer T-shirt printing, souvenirs for all occasions, etc. Also her travel and tours page catering the entire Panay Island best spots boats many tips for wanderers and travellers.
Happy mother’s day to all alumnae mothers and to our teachers who are our second mothers in school!
