A happiest Mother's Day to you all! We were curious to know what sort of advice is passed down from family members and friends to new moms in Nepal – do they share the same tidbits that we have received ourselves or that we would pass on to others? We asked five of our makers who are also mothers a few questions about this and loved reading their responses. We hope you do, too!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
CHAMELI: My mom always told me to eat nutritious foods while I was pregnant and she keeps telling me!
SHANTI SHRESTHA: My mom advised me on how to give a good bath to a baby, without making him cry.
SRIJANA: Be happy always, the time will come for everything. I didn't conceive for a long time after I was married, but when the time came, it happened! So yes, be happy!
SUSHILA: Work hard for anything you want to achieve.
SHANTI SHAKYA: To be independent.
What advice would you give to a new mother?
CHAMELI: Always take good care of your baby and don't forget yourself, too.
SHANTI SHRESTHA: Do not panic with anything that comes your way in motherhood. Be strong and face them all. There will be lots of problems, but happiness too.
SRIJANA: Love your baby and family.
SUSHILA: If you are a first time mom or mom to be, ask the experienced ones if you don't know what to do and you need help.
SHANTI SHAKYA: Be brave and look after your child. Do not neglect them, even if there is a small scratch on your baby – it could be worse if you do.
What has been the hardest thing about motherhood?
CHAMELI: To control my son because he is so naughty around my neighborhood.
SHANTI SHRESTHA: To look after your child all the time, even when you had to work.
SRIJANA: For me, being a mother was not hard. It was hard before I was pregnant, feeling that I wanted to be a mother and opinions from family and society.
SUSHILA: Since I am a single mother, it is really hard for me to earn money to look after my child's education and overall expenses.
SHANTI SHAKYA: Labor pain was so hard for me to bear for the first time. For the second time, I had an operation which I felt was easier.
What has been the best thing about motherhood?
CHAMELI: To see my baby smiling and just being happy to be with him.
SHANTI SHRESTHA: To be a mom to both of my sons.
SRIJANA: To see my girl for the first time.
SUSHILA: To be a mom is the best thing ever.
SHANTI SHAKYA: To be a mom is the best thing.
What do you hope your children will learn from you?
CHAMELI: Learn good habits from me.
SHANTI SHRESTHA: My sons are already living a happy life with their own small families, so I wish they will always be happy.
SRIJANA: I wish my daughter would learn how to cook good food from me.
SUSHILA: I wish my daughter would learn from my mistake on whom to choose for her life partner.
SHANTI SHAKYA: The mistakes I have done in my life until now, I wish my children do not repeat them and learn from looking at mine.
