Mother’s Day holds very different meanings for all of us. But that in itself shows just how wonderfully unique our stories can be. In honour of mothers and mother figures everywhere, we sat down with our team at Romer Maud Family Lawyers to learn about their connections with Mother’s Day and the mother figures in their lives. Here’s what they told us.
Aimee: Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate the many mothers and mother figures in our lives. As a mum of two busy little kids, I’m not going to lie – sometimes I wish I could just hide under the covers and read a book in peace – but I am always rewarded by making the effort to celebrate the day with family, and to get as many generations of women together as possible.
Alicia: Celebrating that one day in the year for mum, and acknowledging all of the love and support she has given me throughout my life.
Allison: Spending time with my two favourite people, my (adult) kids!
Annalise: Mother’s Day is a meaningful day for me to pause and appreciate the love, effort, and sacrifices that both my mother and grandmother have made in raising me. Their influence has shaped who I am today, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done, even the things that may have gone unnoticed at the time.
Now that I am a mother myself, I have a greater understanding of the patience, resilience, and unconditional love that motherhood requires. It’s a special day for me to spend quality time with my son and to feel appreciated and celebrated through his eyes. It’s also a special day for not only mothers but maternal figures and fur mums!
Durra: To me, Mother’s Day is a beautiful and happy day to reflect on a mother’s role, one that is often taken for granted and slightly forgotten in everyday life. I often think of myself, my mother, my mother-in-law and my grandmothers, and all of the love and sacrifices we have made.
Alessia: Mother’s Day is a chance to pause and really acknowledge the care, strength and quiet sacrifices that so many mother figures make every day. To me, it is not just about celebration, but also about gratitude for the emotional support, guidance and stability that mothers and maternal figures often bring into people’s lives.
Seren: For me, Mother’s Day is all about spoiling my mum and other mothers in the family as a way of showing my appreciation for all that they do. They are all amazing women who sacrifice so much for their families. My mum, in particular, has always been there for my brother and me, raising us so well. I want her to know we are grateful for her.
Emina: Mother’s Day is just another opportunity to celebrate the mother figures in my life, being my mum and my sister. It’s just another day of reflection for me, as I feel grateful every day of the year!
Aimee: After the birth of my first child, my daughter, I became interested in discovering my own maternal lineage, as far back as possible. I think it’s beautiful to consider the mothers in your own lineage or ‘red thread’, and to know what lives they lived, what children they birthed, and to consider the circumstances of their lives.
It’s quite amazing to look at your own children and think about how all of this had to weave together to create them.
Alicia: Definitely my nonna – she was a very tough woman, but loved her family with every fibre of her being and would have moved mountains for us.
Alessia: My grandmother has been one of the most important mother figures in my life. She has shaped me through her strength, warmth and resilience, and has shown me the importance of kindness, patience and showing up for the people you love.
Seren: My mum has taught me everything I know. She has always supported me and encouraged me to be independent. She has shaped who I am today. I also look up to my grandmothers and aunties.
Durra: My mother shaped my personality as a whole, and I look up to her for everything in parenting.
My grandmother helped raise my siblings and me when we were younger, and while we lived in Iraq. She is a figure that cannot be replaced from the source of love and patience.
Emina: My sister is seven years older than me and effectively raised me as her own. She taught me how to drive, helped me get my first job, helped me with my first uni assignment and coached me with job interviews. Unfortunately for her, I learned from all of her mistakes as well! She’s had a hand in all of my successes, and I share all of them with her and my mum!
Aimee: I am very close to my mother, but I also have incredible aunties on both sides of my family who all bring different aspects of “the mother” to my personality and the way I approach life. Every person brings out a different element of your own personality – so important – and I hope that my own children have the benefit of multiple women in their lives who bring different parts of themselves to life.
Alessia: I think mothering is not limited to one traditional role or relationship. Some of the most meaningful maternal influences can come from grandparents, aunts, older siblings, cousins, family friends, mentors, or other carers who provide love and guidance in their own way. That can be really enriching because it shows that care, nurture and emotional support can come in many forms, and that family is often built through connection as much as biology or the circles we are born into.
Durra: Mothers come in many forms: a traditional biological mother, a non-biological mother, stepmother, guardian mother or carer. All are a great source of love, admiration and guidance for their children. As long as everyone can feel loved and supported, that is what matters most. It does not have to be from one’s own biological parents.
Emina: Being a mother is about more than just a traditional birth giver’s role. It embodies unconditional empathy and love. That can come from many sources – a community, a teacher, a mentor, a close family member or a friend. With that comes a variety of experiences that can inform and enrich many aspects of one’s life, outside of their biological family.
Alessia: One of the most meaningful parts of working with parents and mother figures is seeing how deeply they care about the well-being of those they are responsible for, even in difficult circumstances. A favourite moment is usually when a client feels genuinely heard and supported, particularly when they are carrying so much for others. Those moments are powerful because they show how important empathy and trust are in helping someone feel more confident and less alone.
Durra: A lot of my clients who are mothers are great role models to their children and are great mother figures. What makes them great is their drive to do everything possible to protect their children and make decisions that are child-focused.
What is remarkable is that no matter how many children mothers have, there is always room to improve in discipline, teachings, reactions, and behaviour and to grow as the children grow also. There is no manual book to follow or one style of teaching that works on all children; it is an ongoing journey to help children grow up to be kind, respectful, and well-mannered.
Emina: Many of the parents or guardians who come to us for assistance do so because of the genuine love and care they have for their children. It is always a pleasure to assist them in their journeys, and always humbling to be trusted with the most precious thing in their life.
We would like to give a big thank you to Annalise Romer, Aimee Maud, Durra Baraz, Alicia Zuanetti, Alessia Roccuzzo, Seren Yalaz, Allison Grant and Emina Hidic for sharing their experiences, with a special thank you to Emina for putting this blog together. At Romer Maud Family Lawyers, we are proud to uplift mothers and mother figures in our work and practice. To learn more about our approach to family law, or arrange an appointment, book here.
About The Author - Emina Hidic
Meet Emina! Our wonderful Associate Family Lawyer who joined the practice in 2024.
A natural people-person interested in the human condition, and the ways in which she can truly help others, Emina is empathetic, kind and emotionally intelligent.
She understands the vulnerability that those going through a separation can face, and works diligently to understand their stories, connect meaningfully and create accessible, flexible support for them. Outside of work, Emina is a keen bird enthusiast, and the mother to her beloved pet bird Fig.*This post is an overview only and should not be considered as legal advice. If there are any matters that you would like us to advise you on, then please contact us.
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