COVER STORY
A good mum not only tells
their child they love them every day but shows them
with kind, caring actions. They are selfless and will make personal sacrifices for the betterment of their child without giving it a second
thought.
Roofing, and sister Lydia, 11.
What makes you smile when you think about each other?
Tineke: Maisie has the most infectious, genuine laugh. When I think of her in hysterics, it’s impossible not to smile. She has a kind, gentle nature, and always thinks about others, which makes me so proud of the young lady she is. Most of all, knowing that Maisie is my daughter is enough to make me smile because she is mine and I love her.
Maisie: Mum is creative and colourful. When she gets an idea in her head she makes sure she gets it done and never gives up. She always does nice things for our family and makes sure that we’re happy. Everything about my mum makes me smile because she is my amazing mum, and I love her.
Being a mum might look easy from a distance but it is so much harder close up. What do you think makes a good mum?
Tineke: One who loves their child unconditionally and does whatever it takes to ensure their child is happy, healthy and loved. They help shape them into being the amazing person they are capable of being; encouraging and supporting them to believe in themselves; and follow their dreams. A good mum not only tells their child they love them every day but shows them with kind, caring actions. They are selfless and will make personal sacrifices for the betterment of their child without giving it a second thought.
Maisie: A person who likes kids is a good start. Kind and caring, and likes to spend time with them. She provides a good home and looks after everyone in it; and gives
encouragement, believes in you, and makes you feel loved.
Mums are often the first person we call when we have a piece of news, a question or a worry. What about each other makes it easy to open up? And how has your relationship evolved?
Tineke: Maisie was a very sick baby and was in and out of hospitals [with stomach and bowel issues]. I had to be strong for her and put on a brave face. By the time she was 6, she no longer required hospital treatment, however, we discovered that she was dyslexic. Again, I had to, and still do, reassure her that things will be okay. I constantly remind her how amazing, strong and beautiful she is. Maisie has endured a lot, but she is courageous, resilient and has the most incredible perseverance. She inspires me and reminds me that there is nothing we can’t achieve if we put our minds to it. We talk openly, listen, and cherish our special bond.
Maisie: We talk a lot with each other and trust each other. If I’m having a bad day
I can tell mum and she will give advice and help me to fix it. I know I can always rely on mum.
How will you celebrate Mother’s Day together?
Tineke: A nice day hanging out at home with Maisie making her usual pancake
breakfast in bed for me, followed by her and Lydia’s pop-up home restaurant for dinner with oma and opa (my mum and dad Irene and Greig Holland) coming to share in the celebration.
Maisie: Cook breakfast for mum and deliver it to her in bed on a tray with her favourite Earl Grey tea. Lydia and I will probably do a restaurant at home for mum and oma, where I will cook and Lydia will be the waitress. I’d like to try and make them a special mocktail to have with dinner.
— Tineke O’callaghan
Amanda and Eli Hoffman
Only son Eli is a great help and friend to his mum, Amanda.
Their favourite thing to do is watch Tiktok videos and listen to music, including “cool 90s hip-hop that I force him to listen to on the way to school in the mornings”, quips Amanda, 41. “Eli definitely keeps me young at heart.”
For five and a half years Eli was an only child and travelled regularly with Amanda, who works in digital marketing, and his New Yorker dad Garrett, who’s lived in New Zealand since 2007.
Now aged 12, he has two sisters - Aurora, 6, and Delilah, 3; and is house captain at Rotorua Intermediate. In 2017, the family moved from Auckland to Amanda’s home town of Rotorua.
What’s the hardest thing about mother-son relationships?
Amanda: Giving Eli more responsibility as
he gets older. I’m reluctant to let him go too far without me, but I also know how important it is for him to have his own experiences, and a chance to grow and be independent.
Eli: When one of us falls or gets emotional, it is important for the other person to be there. I don’t like seeing my mum upset. What’s one important life lesson you’ve taught each other?