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FOR many families, Mother’s Day is often marked by flowers, family meals and social media tributes.

But behind the celebrations lies a quieter reality – one built on sleepless nights, silent sacrifices, unwavering love and ordinary moments that later become life’s most treasured memories.

From grandmothers reflecting on decades of family life to young mothers navigating postpartum struggles and working mothers balancing career and family, women interviewed for this Special Report shared heartfelt reflections on motherhood, sacrifice and the meaning of family in today’s fast-changing world.

Their stories reveal that while society, technology and lifestyles may evolve, the heart of motherhood remains remarkably unchanged.

A Grandmother’s Gentler Perspective

For retired Catholic private school principal Winnie Kual, grandmotherhood has brought a softer and more reflective perspective on love and family.

“The greatest joy of becoming a grandmother is loving deeply without thought of quickly rushing and worrying like a young mother,” she shared. 

Kual, who recently celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary, described grandmotherhood as becoming “a safe place of comfort, stories, patience and unconditional love”, compared to motherhood, which carried the daily responsibility of raising and shaping children. 

Having spent years as an educator and school leader, she believes values taught at home remain the foundation of society, especially kindness, humility, perseverance and forgiveness.

“Hardship and failure are good training grounds to develop resilient characters,” she said. 

Despite the pressures modern mothers face today, Kual believes the essence of motherhood has not changed.

“The heart of motherhood remains the same – protecting, nurturing, giving and sacrificing for children.” 

Looking back, she said what matters most is not perfection, but ensuring family members know they are loved.

“Love, forgiveness and presence are what truly matters to keep a family together,” she reflected. 

Love, Survival and Family Bonds

Cancer survivor and Kinabalu Pink Ribbon founder Datin Lucilla Pang also spoke about the deep appreciation she now has for family and togetherness.

For Pang, becoming a grandmother offered “the chance to love all over again but with more patience and perspective.” 

She said grandmotherhood allows more freedom to simply enjoy grandchildren and cherish small moments such as family dinners, phone calls, hugs and shared laughter.

“The everyday moments become the memories we treasure most later in life,” she reflected. 

Pang believes mothers today face greater pressure than previous generations, but their love for their children remains unchanged.

“There is more pressure today, but our hearts never changed in loving and protecting our children,” she said. 

She also highlighted the quiet sacrifices many mothers make over the years.

“Mothers sacrifice time, energy, sleep and even their own dreams,” she shared. 

Navigating the Realities of Young Motherhood

For first-time mother Delby Tan, motherhood has completely changed the way she understands love and sacrifice.

“It has changed my life completely and taught me unconditional love,” she said. 

Still adjusting to life as a new mother, Tan admitted balancing exhaustion while trying to become the best mother she can be has been challenging.

Yet it is often the smallest moments that bring her the most joy – “the cuddles, little smiles and watching my baby sleep peacefully.” 

Motherhood has also deepened her appreciation for her own mother.

“‘A mother’s love never ends.’ I understand it more now,” she reflected. 

Meanwhile, Jacinta Seow described motherhood as a journey filled with both joy and exhaustion as she raises a four-month-old baby and a toddler.

“Motherhood is full of ups and downs,” she admitted. 

Seow spoke candidly about postpartum struggles, breastfeeding and “feeling tired 24/7”, experiences many young mothers quietly endure. 

At the same time, she expressed gratitude for having support at home to help lighten her workload.

Despite the challenges, Seow said seeing her children reach milestones such as crawling, walking and talking has made motherhood deeply meaningful. 

Grief, Faith and Starting Again

For working mother Liza Lujain, motherhood has been shaped by both heartbreak and healing.

Lujain revealed that losing her firstborn child became a turning point in her life.

“It took me a few years to find myself again,” she shared. 

When she became a mother again, she said she learned to cherish every moment with her child more deeply.

“I truly appreciated every moment with my child,” she said. 

Lujain also highlighted the hidden sacrifices working mothers often make, recalling how she shortened or declined work trips while breastfeeding her daughter.

“Missing my daughter during my time away made me very sad and I often cried quietly at night,” she revealed. 

Through difficult seasons, she said faith and prayer became her source of strength, alongside support from family and friends. 

Today, she hopes to instil empathy, honesty and respect in her daughter while reminding young mothers to “take one step at a time” and appreciate every moment with their children. 

‘Watching Pieces of My Heart Grow Outside of Me’

Another mother who reflected deeply on the emotional realities of parenthood was Tracy Lim.

“The most rewarding part of motherhood is watching pieces of my heart grow outside of me,” she shared. 

For Lim, one of her proudest moments was watching her daughters graduate.

“In their graduation robes, I saw every sacrifice, every tear, every prayer and every hard season we survived together,” she said. 

Lim believes many sacrifices mothers make often go unnoticed.

“Mothers quietly give up so many things – sleep, rest, dreams, personal time and sometimes even their own pain – just to make sure their children are okay,” she said. 

She described motherhood as a journey that taught her patience, resilience and how to love beyond her own limits.

“Motherhood taught me that love is not measured by words, but by presence, patience, sacrifice and staying strong even when your heart is tired,” she reflected.

To young mothers, Lim offered simple reassurance.

“Motherhood is not about perfection. It is about love, patience and showing up every day even when you are exhausted,” she said. 

‘My Family Keeps Me Strong’

New Zealand-based mother of four Rachel-Woods Ansibin reflected on the emotional and physical demands many mothers quietly carry daily.

“I put my family first, work second, and then me,” she said.

“I’m not even sure there’s such thing as balance for mothers. We usually put ourselves last.” 

Despite the exhaustion, she described motherhood as the purest form of unconditional love.

“Motherhood has taught me what unconditional love truly feels like,” she shared. 

She said some of the happiest moments in motherhood are often the simplest – random cuddles, family conversations after dinner and watching her children grow into confident individuals. 

“My family keeps me strong. They are my pain relief,” she said. 

To younger parents, her advice was heartfelt and straightforward: “Treasure your little ones and give them plenty of hugs and kisses. They grow up way too fast.” 

The Quiet Presence of a Mother’s Love

The Special Report also highlighted the enduring influence mothers continue to have on their children long into adulthood.

For Diana Heng, a mother’s love is often shown through simple but consistent acts of care and support.

“One silent act of love from my mother that stayed with me is how she always supports and advises me whenever I’m facing difficulties or problems,” she said. 

Heng described her mother as someone who remained present during difficult moments through listening, practical advice and emotional comfort.

“Every moment with your mum is a blessing,” she reflected. “Her love, care and presence are gifts that can never be replaced.” 

Across generations and life experiences, one message united all the women interviewed: motherhood is not about perfection, but about enduring love, sacrifice and presence.

Whether through sleepless nights, prayers whispered quietly in hospital rooms, family dinners, warm hugs or patient listening, these women revealed that the true meaning of Mother’s Day lies not in gifts or celebrations, but in appreciating the countless unseen acts of love that shape families every single day.