06/05/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | MAY 6, 2025

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Journey of unconditional maternal love

B EING a mother is said to be among the most fulfilling experiences a woman can embrace. Despite the many tribulations that come along with it, many women cite it as a highlight due to the unconditional love they develop during this journey. Local content creators Abby Naomi Doss, Ayu Rafikah Mohammad Ahmee and Genevieve Low Huai Yi can attest to this, being mothers themselves. In conjunction with Mother’s Day this Sunday, they speak on their experience with theSun , opening up about their journey to motherhood. Natural calling Abby, who works as a content creator and public relations consultant, has always wanted motherhood for herself. The 31 year-old was fortunate to welcome her first child after three years of marriage. “I have been a mother since my baby girl Elara Anaia was born last December. She just turned four months old. Every day with her is a new challenge and an adventure. I have been loving every moment of it,” said the Kuala Lumpur native. Ayu, a mother of seven, had the same calling. Growing up in a single parent household, the 47-year-old content creator was inspired by her mother’s tenacity to go above and beyond for her and her siblings. o Three Malaysian content creators share joys, experience of motherhood Ű BY JOHN TAN

“My mother was a single parent and she still managed to provide a good life for us. So, when I met my husband, the calling to have a family and be a mother felt natural.” Motherhood was an eventual destination for Low too. Though it was not an immediate priority, she knew she would eventually settle down with a family of her own. “I am still pretty new to this whole journey. It has been a real roller coaster, every day is a new adventure. It is one of those things you do not fully understand until you experience it yourself. Now, I cannot imagine life any other way,” shared the mother of five months. Shattering unrealistic expectations That said, nothing could prepare them for what was ahead. Before her pregnancy, Abby had assumed motherhood to be a bed of roses due to the various movie depictions. Considering how it was unrealistically depicted on screen, she assumed she would be able to juggle her responsibilities as a mother and her job effortlessly. “I was wrong. My breast feeding journey? It was a wild ride! First, there is the feeding and then the crying. By the time I got a burp out of her, I was completely zonked out. “And that whole ‘get some rest when the baby sleeps’ idea? Total myth! By the time I feed her and get her to burp, it is 30 minutes until the next feeding. It is like a never-ending cycle of chaos.” Low, too, had fallen for the unrealistic depictions. The 33-year old assumed motherhood only consisted of adorable bonding moments. “I thought it would be all about the cute moments and the bonding, which is definitely part of it. But I believe the sleepless nights, the constant juggling and the pressure to get everything right are also part of

Abby has been a mother since last December. – PICS COURTESY OF ABBY NAOMI DOSS

The couple has been married for three years.

Abby (left) is spending Mother’s Day at home.

months postpartum. “Time was and still is my number one struggle. With a big family, it can be difficult to manage your time every day. You have to think about a lot of things. You have to care for them in various ways,” noted Ayu. “As a freelancer, I am still finding it difficult to manage my work while taking care of my baby at home. It has been a bit of a struggle to keep up with deadlines and stay as productive as I used to,” expressed Low.

of difficulties to overcome. For most of her pregnancy, Abby was alone at home as her husband had moved abroad for work. Upon the announcement, he had found a better job opportunity in Dubai. “It was tough, especially after delivering my daughter. I felt really down without him by my side. But with God being my strength and the support of my family and friends, I slowly started to overcome it.” Abby got back into her normal activities after her two

the journey.” Ayu, on the other hand, was given an intimidating view of motherhood. She was often told how her life would drastically change once she welcomed a child. “I heard how taxing it can be. People told me how I would not get enough sleep, the rise in monetary commitment and how it would affect my physique.” Unavoidable changes Each of the mothers indeed had a set

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Low and her husband Tai Ken Joe became parents last November. – PICS COURTESY OF GENEVIEVE LOW HUAI YI

Low will spend her first Mother’s Day this year.

Low (left) is a lifestyle influencer and writer.