‘We’re army women — and we can survive anything’

Ilana King was supposed to stay with her daughter, Danielle, for only a few months to spend time with her new granddaughter, Mia — but COVID-19 has ensured she will be in New York to celebrate Danielle’s first Mother’s Day Sunday.

The 63-year-old, from Tel Aviv, Israel, found herself having to indefinitely extend her visit to Manhattan because of the lockdown and the resulting travel restrictions.

“It’s actually rather wonderful,” says Danielle, 32, who works in advertising. “We feel very fortunate to be

Ilana King with daughter Danielle as a baby. Now Ilana is helping Danielle raise her own daughter, Mia. in this situation.”

Ilana shares a bedroom with 10-month-old Mia in Danielle’s Upper East Side apartment, which is also home to Mia’s father, Maarten Tuurenhout, a 32-yearold lawyer.

“I try to give them some privacy, but we’re all getting along just fine,” says Ilana.

Mother and daughter both served as soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces — Ilana between 1974 and 1976 and Danielle from 2006 to 2008 — and are drawing on their experiences to get through the current crisis.

“We are both pretty tough, especially my mom, so I know we can survive,” says Danielle. “I am learning so much from her because she is so calm and positive, despite how scary things can sometimes feel.”

The duo is planning a traditional Mother’s Day celebration, complete with flowers and Champagne.

“Mom loves decorating and cooking,” says Danielle with a laugh. “She is a typical Jewish grandmother and lavishes us with care and attention.” TURN THE PAGE FOR MORE MOM STORIES