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"As Mother's Day approaches (May 11 \u2014 you're welcome for the reminder), it's a good time to go over some best practices for gift giving.\nChiefly, uncooked macaroni glued to cardboard doesn't cut it when you have a full-time job with health benefits.\nSee also: 25 Badass Moms Who Are Doing It Right\nRemember your tween years, when you'd forget it was Mother's Day until Mother's Day and frantically throw together a \"coupon book?\" Basically gifting your mother \u2014 the woman who raised you and nurtured you and birthed you \u2014 a collection of IOUs. Things like \"One free lawn mowing,\" or \"Will walk the dogs without being asked.\" They were chores we were going to do anyway, but we were desperate and young, and we could get away with it. Not so much anymore.\nAs an adult, buying a Mother's Day gift is still a struggle, but it doesn't have to be. Why not go back to the classic \"coupon book\" that worked so well for us in the past? The only difference being this time you'll make some coupons mom will actually want.\nHere, we've compiled some for you already. *Print.*\n\n\n10 Mother's Day Coupons Mom Will Actually Want\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Tech help\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Peace and quiet\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. A day of rest\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Mental victories\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Unabashed criticism\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. A better gift\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Wardrobe advice\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Marriage advice\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Personality augmentation\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. Tattoo removal\n\n\nImage: Illustration Mashable, Danielle Hernandez\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBONUS: 100 Photos of Remarkable Moms in New York \n\n\n100 Moms Project\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNeveen\n\nAge: 35Job: User Experience DesignerNumber and ages of children: One child, nearly a year old\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"If she\u2019s breathing, surviving, you say, 'You know, it\u2019s been a good day, to be honest.'\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRebecca\n\nAge: 35Job: Former attorney, stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children:  1 child, 13 months\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"As long as he seems happy and healthy and well adjusted, that\u2019s the most important thing, I think.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJola\n\nAge: 37Job: PsychologistNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 7 and 3 From: Poland\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"Probably to be a mom and to do my job, because sometimes it's very difficult to find time for myself. Now, for me, is a treat, because usually I live in Poland, and I try to have the time to develop myself.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarianne\n\nNumber of children: Two children\n\"I told them they were wonderful until they were 30. They told me I was wonderful until I was 50.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nValerie\n\nJob: Ran a restaurantAge: 33Number and ages of children: One child (16 months)\nWhat has been your greatest moment as a mother?\n\"Probably the moment she started walking. It's incredible to see the transition. The feeling of success she has on her face and how much pride she's experiencing at that moment \u2014 it's amazing to see that change happen.\"\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"It's so corny, but how joyful it would be. Even when they do bad things -- moments later, they give you a kiss and it's all good.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMyriam\n\nAge: 55\nWhat's the hardest part of motherhood?\n\"Teenagers. It's complicated.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMargaux\n\nAge: 30Job: Part-time French teacherNumber and ages of children: One child, 17 months old, and pregnant with another\nWhat is the scariest thing about being a mother?\n\"Losing her in a playground. When you can\u2019t see her, even if it\u2019s for a few seconds, everything stops.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNin\n\nFrom: New YorkNumber of children: Two\nWhat's the most rewarding part of being a mom?\n\"Watching my children explore, watching their faces while they discover new things, that's the best. Just spending time with them is great.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer\n\nFrom: New YorkJob: SalesWhat is the greatest thing about being a mother?\n\"It's a different experience every day. Her dad said, 'Oh shit' this morning, and she's been saying that all day. So that's a part of it, right? Every day you get to be a role model.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNemia\n\nAge: 47Job: Nanny\nWhat is it like being a nanny? Do you miss your own children?\n\"As a nanny, I only work Monday through Friday, because I need time for my kids.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBarbara\n\nJob: CPAAge: 68Number and ages of children: Four children (37, 40, 43, 45), three grandchildren\nWhat has been your scariest moment as a mother? \n\"We have three boys so there were so many scary moments. When they all decided to jump out of the second-story window one afternoon.\"\nHow do you measure your success as a mother?\n\"They all grew up. They're all loving, successful, happy I think.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDiane\n\nJob: RetiredAge: 69Number of children: Two children (35, 40)\nWhat's the best or worst gift your children have given you?\n\"I think love. Love is the best gift. The worst gift is probably impatience.\"\nWhat's the scariest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"Actually coming home with a baby. It took a while to get used to having this little tiny thing that screamed and squirmed and pooed everywhere.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristine\n\nAge: 38Job: Stay-at-home mom and homeschoolerNumber of children: Two children, (13, 9)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"How different boys are. I was raised with three girls, so boys are totally different from girls ... I mean, motherhood is not an easy job and it's not for everybody, but I love it.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNicky\n\nAge: 40 Job: Supervisor Number and ages of children: One child, age 8. Also caring for another 8-year-old.\nWhat's one of the scariest parts of being a mother?\n\"That I'll fail them, you understand? That's the scariest thing. That I won't be able to provide for them. You know, when I was on my own ... I was always used to just being by myself, and just hanging out. But once I had a kid, it scared me. It's like, it's time to grow up now. Things are serious now.\"                                                                                                                                                                                                                      \n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCherice\n\nAge: \"Let's just say 30+.\"Job: ChoreographerNumber and ages of children: Two children (19 months and 6 weeks)\nWhat has been your greatest moment as a mom?\n\"My heart has expanded times three.\"\nAnd how do you measure your success as a mother?\n\"By how much love emanates from my children.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStephanie\n\nNumber and age of children: One child, 14 years old\nHow do you feel about motherhood? \n\"So much joy.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlice\n\nAge: 84Number of children: 2 children, 5 grandchildren\nWhat's the best part about being a grandmother?\n\"You can enjoy them, but don't have all of the responsibility.\"\nWhat was the best part about raising kids in NYC?\"\n\"Going to the park. My children grew up in Central Park.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaria\n\nNumber of children: One child, 2 grandchildren\nWhat's the best part about being a mom?\n\"When the kids grow up, it's like you have a best friend.\"\n\"I became a teacher so I could take care of them all the time.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRonit\n\nAge: 38Job: MomNumber and ages of children: One child, 9 months\nWhat's one of the scariest things about motherhood?\n\"There's someone relying on you forever. It's forever. You can't step away.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEstela\n\nAge: 42Job: Stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 13 and 5\nWhat is the greatest thing about being a mother?\n\"The most beautiful experience is to be a mom, to have children.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nColleen\n\nAge: 69Job: Retired professor of early childhood educationNumber and ages of children: Two sons, ages 44 and 39\nWhat would you say is your greatest accomplishment as a mother?\n\"I think probably that they got good educations--  educations good enough that they are both doing things they want to do and that they\u2019re happy in their chosen work ... I think education and promoting that at home was probably our most important thing.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnneliese\n\nAge: 49From: EnglandNumber of children: 2 \nWhat is the greatest thing about being a mother?\n\"Being a grandmother is quite a relief.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Inara\n\nAge: 52 Number and age of children: Two children, 13 and 23\nWhat's the best part about being a mom?\n\"When they're small and cute:\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNathalia \n\nAge: 36Job: Chef and catererNumber and age of children: One child, 4 years old\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"I think I\u2019m a pretty darn awesome mom, and I say that only because I waited to have her. I don\u2019t think I would have been as efficient as I am if I had had her in my twenties, because I was not interested. It was all about partying and getting drunk, and I had her at 32 when I was ready to be in bed by nine o\u2019 clock, and my moments of my days off was happily spent in pajamas or sweatpants watching Disney movies with her. \nSo, I\u2019m pretty proud of that and happy that she is a well-centered, grounded little girl even at four. I sometimes feel like she\u2019s been here before, somehow. She\u2019s an old soul, somehow.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMary\n\nJob: Retired nurseNumber and ages of children: Three children, all in their early 30s\nWhat's one of the scariest things about being a mother?\n\"When you can\u2019t find your kids, like in a department store. Once one of mine got lost in an airport and that was the scariest moment of my life.\" \nHow long did it take you to find him?\n\"It seemed like hours, but it was only about 10 minutes.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKristina\n\nAge: 36Job: MarketingNumber and ages of children:: One child, 9 months oldFrom: Bulgaria\nWhat's the scariest part of being a mother?\n\"It was just right at the start, when you are very exhausted. The physical part was very difficult. To resist the crying \u2026 you\u2019re buried under a lot of stress in the beginning. This is the hardest part. The beginning you need much more time for very easy things. After nine months I\u2019m doing everything with ease.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLata\n\nAge: 60Job: Medical office manager\nHow has your relationship with your daughter changed since she became a mom?\n\"With my daughter, it's more like a friendship now. As a grandmother, you get to do all the things you couldn't do as a mom. It's a great feeling.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMara\n\nAge: 43Job: Mother, volunteer, part-time art teacherNumber and ages of children: One child, age 7\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"Her happiness and well-being in the world. She doesn\u2019t get upset over silly little things, you know? ... Her contentedness with her and her own skin in this place called the world and life.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBetsy\n\nAge: 36Job: Executive recruiterNumber and ages of children: One child, 4.5 months\nWhat's the grossest you've seen as a mom?\n\"Oh, the explosives. The diapers, the spit-ups. It\u2019s like The Exorcism when it comes out; it\u2019s all over you and, I mean, the first time it scared me and the next time I laughed.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmy\n\nAge: 39Job: Photo editorNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 4 and 1 \nWhat's the scariest part of being a mother?\n\"Not being able to control the outside world as it relates to them.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJackie\n\nAge: 31Job: Account managerNumber and ages of children: One child, 3 months old\nWhat has been the scariest part of being a mom?\n\"When I was pregnant, there was a scare on one of his ultrasounds and I had to do extra testing, but it all turned out to be fine. That was extremely scary. They thought something was wrong with his brain, so that was awful. Luckily, nothing came of it.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMushka\n\nFrom: New YorkNumber of children: Three\nWhat's the most rewarding part about being a mom?\n\"Watching them grow up and blossom -- that's the most rewarding thing. I have three children, and it never gets old. It's the best feeling in the world. They're a part of you.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKathy\n\nJob: Montessori teacherFrom: Rhode Island\nWhat's the scariest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"I was on a ski boat with my family. My daughter was, I guess about five. My husband was water skiing, and my daughter got caught up on the tow rope and fell overboard. She was able to hold onto the rope and keep herself away from the propellor until I could turn the boat off. That was the most terrifying experience of my life. It was one of those things where the fear doesn't really hit you until the moment is over.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNarline\n\nAge: 40 Job: NurseNumber and ages of children: One child, age 2\nWhat's one of your favorite things about motherhood?\n\"Seeing my child happy, laughing, learning. All of those moments mashed together.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSusan\n\nJob: Professor, Chinese politicsFrom: California\nWhat's the most gratifying thing about being a mother?\n\"I believe travelers are made, not born, so you have to start them early. Go to castles, go to mazes, do what you can. That's what I tried to do as a mother. Becoming a grandmother was the most gratifying thing. And it's different. You don't get stressed out when the baby cries. You've experienced things before. It's just pure pleasure.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRamona\n\nWhat has been the most rewarding part of being a mom?\n\"I'm so proud of her for what she's accomplished on her own. Parents take too much credit for their children's accomplishments and too much blame when they do something wrong.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMinnie\n\nFrom: ChinaNumber of children: One\nWhat part of being a mother makes you the happiest?\n\"I love his smile.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGloria\n\nJob: RetiredAge: 66Number of children: Two children (38, 40)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"To be a mother, you're guiding them up to a certain age, and that's a tremendous responsibility. I think to have children is a privilege and I just enjoyed it.\"\nWhat's the scariest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"I suppose my greatest shock was actually having the baby -- my first baby. No one ever told me it hurt. And I say to everybody now, it hurts. I grew up in a world where it wasn't spoken about, really. I obviously knew there was pain, but not that much. It's the best thing in the world afterwards. It's the best, best thing when that baby pops out.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLauren\n\nAge: 40Job: Personal chefNumber and ages of children: One child, 19 months old\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"I\u2019m pretty proud of myself as a mom. It started out, I think, as a challenge. I wasn\u2019t, like, a motherly type, you know? So, I think the fact that I love it so much is something to be really proud of. And I feel like I\u2019m doing a really good job.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarissa\n\nJob: Account servicesFrom: New York\nWhat's your favorite memory with your mother?\n\"I was raised in the suburbs of Connecticut, so things are obviously going to be different for my children in the city. I remember on Mother's Day, I always used to borrow her money for these school plant sales. So I'd buy all these plants for her with her own money and give them to her.\"\nHow has your life changed, now that you're a mom?\n\"I knew I was one of those new frazzled moms the other day: I went into a Dunkin Donuts and the cashier told me my teeth were covered in lipstick. I was like, 'Oh.'\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLydia\n\nJob: Co-owns TV production company Zero Point Zero with her husbandAge: 48Number of children: Two children (6, 9)\nWhat's the best or worst gift your kids have given you?\n\"The best gift is probably forced self-reflection. On a daily basis they make me think about how one behaves in the world.\"\nHow do you measure your success as a mother?\n\"I'm constantly feeling like I'm failing on a daily basis. I think any day where I feel like I've created some semblance of balance between all the various pats of my life feels successful. When they see me calm and happy that is the greatest measure of success for me.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChris and her partner Jane\n\nAge: 65Job: LawyerNumber and ages of children: One child, age 44\nWhat's one of the scariest things about being a mom?\n\"Puberty. Just puberty.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSylvia\n\nJob: RetiredFrom: London\nHow is your experience as a grandmother different than your experience as a mother?\n\"You don't enjoy it when your daughter is pregnant, until the baby is safely delivered. When it's not your own child, there's a lot more responsibility. You don't worry when it's your own child.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOkome Mary\n\nAge: 52Job: French teacherNumber and ages of children: Four children, ages 32, 23, 11 and 4\nWhat is the hardest thing about being a mother?\n\"You sometimes have to do everything for your husband, for your children. But as boys, I don't have problems exactly with them ... I speak, they know Mama is speaking. They respect me too much. When I say, 'I don't want that,' they listen to me.\" \n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeannine\n\nJob: Retired teacherNumber and ages of children: Five children, ages 48, 46, 43 and 40.\nWhat's your favorite part of being a mother?\n\"All the love that goes around. That's my favorite part.\"\nAnd what's something no one ever told you about being a mother?\n\"How long you were going to be a mom. Forever!\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoseann\n\nAge: 42Job: Stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 9 and 3\nWhat's been one of your scariest moments as a mom?\n\"James was three months early, so that was definitely the scariest. He was in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] for a few months ... He looked like a lizard. He was under two pounds. Now he's a giant.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlice\n\nAge: 45Job: Urban plannerNumber and ages of children: Three children, ages 15, 8 and 7\nWhat's been the scariest moment of motherhood?\n[To son] \"When you swallowed rat poison. There's been numerous occasions at the hospital, but that one was the unknown.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRenee\n\nAge: 71\nWhat was your proudest moment of motherhood?\n\"Watching my two grandsons, and seeing all the things I taught my son be passed down to them.\"\nAnd your scariest?\n\"He went on his own after college on a trip. He didn't come home on time because he missed his flight.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nErica\n\nAge: 42Job: Casting directorNumber and ages of children: One child, 2.5 years old\nWhat's the greatest part of being a mom?\n\u201CThis community that sort of forms when you become a parent. You have all these people and you develop these relationships with people in your life that you didn\u2019t really know existed. It\u2019s a different kind of a friendship.\u201D\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarisol\n\nAge: 44Job: Stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children: Four children, 16, 13, 11 and 5.\nHow do you measure your success as a mother?\n\"I try my best. I want do to the best for my kids.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCheryl\n\nJob: Ad SalesNumber and ages of children:  One child, 19 months old\nWhat's the biggest challenge you're facing as a mother today?\n\"She has pink eye right now, so I'm telling everyone not to get close. This is my first pink eye experience. So like, do I have it? Do I not touch my eyes? Am I going to get it if I do touch my eyes? Very exciting.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEva\n\nAge: 67Number and ages of children: Three children between the ages of 46 and 40\nWhat's your favorite part of being a mother?\n\"Giving and sharing.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKelly\n\nJob: Stay-at-home momAge: 37Number of children: One child, age 5, expecting one more\nWhat has been the grossest thing that happened to you as a mother?\n\"Now it's okay -- just in the  beginning when you first get used to changing diapers. It's like a surprise every time you open it up.\"\nWhat has been your greatest moment as a mother?\n\"Just seeing them grow up -- how they develop, especially now that he's talking, it's so fun.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJanet\n\nAge: 56Number and age of children: One child, 22\nWhat was your greatest moment of motherhood so far?\n\"When she came home and surprised me for Mother's Day last year.\"\nWhat's your favorite pastime with your child?\n\"Pedicures at Pinkies\"\n\"I feel for her. When you're an only child, you get undivided attention. It works great at two -- not at 17.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMaria\n\nAge: 41Job: BabysitterNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 18 and 11\n\"I take care of them with all love, and I want to be a good professional. That's why I want to see all my kids when they grow and they finish school, they graduate from high school and college so they get their own nice work and they do better than I do.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosefina \"Fitita\"\n\nAge: 68Job: Former Montessori school teacherNumber and ages of children: 4 children, ages 48, 46, 38 and 36From: Colombia\nWhat is one of the greatest moments of motherhood?\n\"The first child. It's like el milagro ... a miracle to see the baby outside your tummy and alive and moving.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHeidi\n\nAge: 46Job: TeacherNumber and ages of children: One child, 9 years old How do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"When other people tell you have a good kid, that\u2019s when you know you\u2019re really doing a good job. They\u2019ll say, \u2018Oh Sophia, she\u2019s so sweet, she\u2019s so nice.\u2019 \u2026 Then, of course, they\u2019re not around for times when they\u2019re having a meltdown.\u201D\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRebecca\n\nAge: 65Number of children: 6\nWhat was your scariest moment as a mom?\n\"If it weren't for Canadian Health Care, we would be short a few children.\"\nWhat's the best part about being a mom?\n\"Having six kids and the way they interact with each other.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChandrika\n\nJob: IT at Credit SuisseAge: 33Number of children: Two children (5 months, 4 years)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"How gross you'd feel for the first four years, and how gross kids are. They're disgusting -- they'll eat anything off of the floor.\"\nWhat's the scariest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"When my child is sick and I'm helpless. My older one -- if he gets a fever, he's prone to febrile seizures. That is a mother's worst fear -- that something horrible could happen to your child.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSharon\n\nAge: 67Job: Retired paralegalNumber and ages of children: Two children, 42 and 39\nWhat's something no one ever told you about being a mother?\n\"No one ever told me anything about being a mom, especially the different personalities the children might have and how to deal with that ... You think you raise your children the same, but they turn out different and have different attitudes and different ways of dealing with life.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAllison\n\nJob: Business ownerAge: 42Number and ages of children: Three children (9, 9, 6)\nWhat's the grossest thing that's happened to you as a mother? \n\"I guess when my daughter projectile vomited on me in the Museum of Natural History in front of a giant crowd. It hit a few people.\"\n How do you measure your success as a mother? \n\"By their smiles and by their eyes -- their confidence in themselves.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Anaick\n\nFrom: FranceNumber and age of children: Three children, 32, 29 and 25\nWhat's your favorite part about being a mom?\n\"We're both divorced, and have children from our previous marriages. One year ago when we organized a party with both of our children.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDenise\n\nNumber and age of children: One child, 3 years old \nWhat's motherhood like?\n\"It's great. Before having her, it was like something was missing.\"\nWhat's your favorite part of being a stay-at-home mom?\n\"Getting to see everything she does.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRosetta Brunie\n\nNumber and ages of children: Five children between the ages of 48 and 52\nWhat is something no one ever told you about being a mother?\n\"To be a mother, you must respect yourself, must have fear for the Lord, teach your children to be the gospel of the Lord and teach them to be right in this world.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDorota\n\nAge: 35Job: Stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children: One child, 6 months\nWhat's one of the greatest parts of being a mother?\n\"I'm just starting to feed him and I give him whole foods. I don't mash things for him -- he eats a carrot, he tries to eat the whole carrot, he can feel the texture. And I'm actually proud of that. I did it my way, and we're having a lot of fun with that.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLiat\n\nFrom: IsraelNumber and ages of children: One, age 15\n\"We come from two different times. She prefers shopping. I prefer museums.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIsabelle\n\nJob: Pharmaceutical IndustryFrom: Spain\nWhat's different about raising your children in Spain, now that you're in New York?\n\"The culture is very different in Spain. We raised the kids in the street, you know? We are from a small village. It's a calmer life, it's quieter. Here, you have to always look out.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKatherine\n\nJob: ArchitectAge: 38Number and ages of children: One child (1 month)\nWhat's been your greatest moment as a mother? \n\"Seeing the first smile. Just the acknowledgment that she knew who I was.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMona\n\nAge: 36Job:: UX designerNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 1 and 4\nWhat have you learned about being a mom from your own mother?\n\"She's a very different mom than I am, but I try to be more like her. I infuse her style into my life. As a mom, you're giving all the time. And that's the greatest gift.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSheila\n\nJob: RetiredAge: 60Number of children: Two children, three grandchildren\nWhat has been your greatest moment as a mother?\n\"This is emotional, you do know that? Seeing my grandchildren be born and my daughter being married. I can't put it into words -- it was just very special.\"\nHow do you measure your success as a mother?\n\"We moved to Virginia from Massachusetts a year ago to be able to spend time with our grandchildren -- having our daughter and son-in-law say it was the best thing we could have done and always wanting to be with us every weekend.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRachel\n\nAge: 52Job: Physical therapistNumber and ages of children: Three children, ages 18, 15 and 13\nWhat's something no one ever told you about being a mother?\n\"It's the most beautiful magic in the world. Beyond words. I have a beautiful mother, and I just follow her. I just want to be as good as my mom is.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBia\n\nAge: 32Job: Marketing managerNumber and ages of children: One child, 6 months\nWhat's the greatest part of being a mother?\n\"As cliche as this sounds, there's nothing more heartwarming than your child looking at you with their eyes wide open and just the biggest smile on their face, and for that split second you think to yourself, 'My God, they comprehend, they know. She knows I'm her mom.' When that happens, every time is like the first time.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAngela\n\nAge: 33Job: Professional vocalistNumber and ages of children: One child, age 3\nWhat is the scariest thing about being a mother?\n\"Hoping I don't mess up. I mean, there's no manual.\"\nWhat is something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"The day-to-day growing to love the baby. Like everybody says, 'Oh, when you first see the baby, you've got to love the baby instantly,' and I did, but I didn't have, like, this warm fuzzy feeling. I actually had to have a blood transfusion when I had him, so I had him and then I passed him to my husband. But the everyday growing, he grows on me, and when I'm away from him, I'm like 'Oh my God, I'm missing my baby.' ... That process, nobody really talks about.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKumi\n\nAge: 39Job: HairstylistNumber and ages of children: One child, 11 months\nWhat's one of the grossest things about motherhood?\n\"Now she wants to run away from us when she's getting a diaper change. So, when she poops, she wants to run away and sit down somewhere before she gets cleaned. That's the yuckiest moment.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKate\n\nAge: 46Job: Historian, writer and editorNumber and ages of children: One child, 5 years old\nWhat is the greatest part of being a mother?\n\"I like seeing her as she\u2019s developing. I feel like she\u2019s very attuned to the world and interested in things, and I see her integrating information, whether it\u2019s emotional or intellectual. It just feels good to see it, because it\u2019s always a work in progress and you never stop being a mother, right? Even, I feel like, as she\u2019s an adult I\u2019ll still have these feelings of watching her and being proud of her.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVirginia\n\nAge: 32Job: Part-time freelance personal assistant and stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children:  One child, 8 months old\nHow do you measure your success as a mom?\n\"I feel like sometimes if I do something that I remember my mom doing with me and my sisters, and I do it successfully, that\u2019s how I feel like I\u2019ve done a good job.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCatherine\n\nAge: 51Job: Stay-at-home mom Number and ages of children: Four children, ages 26, 24, 22 and 19\nWhat is your favorite part of being a mother?\n\"The unconditional love, to a point. Then it's the friendship you end up having as the kids get older.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLeigh\n\nJob: Restaurant Group employeeNumber of children: One\nWhat's the funniest thing that happens to you on a daily basis as a mother?\n\"Mother's Day is my new favorite holiday. It's great. Just this morning I was telling her, 'You're so funny.' She's been running around all day repeating, 'Fun, fun, fun.' All day. I love that kind of thing.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMercedes\n\nAge: 57Job: Administrative assistantNumber and ages of children: One child, age 27\nWhat is the greatest thing about being a mother?\n\"I think I would feel incomplete if I wasn't a mother. I think it's one of the reasons why God made us, you know, to have children if it was our desire. It makes me feel very complete to be a mother.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLinda\n\nAge: 70Job: Director of The Singing Experience WorkshopNumber and ages of children:  2 children, 35 and 38\nWhat was the worst gift you ever received from one of your children?\n\"A kitchen appliance.\"\n\"My kids apologize to me for giving me a hard time, but that's the nature of the job.\"\nDo your children have children? \n\"No, I have grandmother longing.\"\n\"Not a moment goes by where you're not thinking of your children.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSonia\n\nFrom: New YorkNumber of children: Three\nWhat was the scariest moment you've experienced as a mother?\nHer son: \"We've been troublemakers. We tried to be cool and drift my mom's car and it uh\u2026 didn't work. That's happened multiple times, actually. Too many times.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvelyn\n\nJob: Worked in film, theater and musicAge: 42Number and ages of children: Three children (6, 3, 2)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"Things can happen that are out of your control that can really change, not just your dynamics, but maybe even your destiny.\"\nWhat's the greatest moment you've had as a mother?\n\"When they're born, I guess. I think that it's naturally probably even the best moment a mother can have.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nValerie\n\nAge: 42Job: Stay-at-home momNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 4 and 10 months\nWhat's been the scariest part of being a mother?\n\u201CWhen I first had Ella, I was actually diagnosed with post-partum [depression], so that was scary because I had this idea in my mind \u2026 Just imagining what motherhood would be like, and then it\u2019s like, 'Oh my god, I don\u2019t know what I\u2019m doing with this baby.' I think it\u2019s like, obviously you can\u2019t control children, so I think the idea that everything will go as planned is just totally wrong. So, that was scary.\u201D\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSusan\n\nNumber of children: Two\nWhat is the most frightening thing about motherhood?\n\"The responsibility.\"\nAnd the most important?\n\"Making sure they have a good education\"\nWhat was the worst gift you received from one of your children?\n\"They all seem good looking back.\"'\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCatherine\n\nJob: Nurse practitionerAge: 34Number of children: Two children (1, 6)\nWhat has been your greatest moment as a mother?\n\"I don't know if there's one great moment because every moment is so great. I mean not every moment. It's all the little moments that are actually bigger than one big moment.\"\nWhat's the grossest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"There are times when your hands are covered in every type of human excrement at once -- anything that can come out of an orifice is all over your hands and you're like, 'This is not my life.' But then you get over it fast and you're like, 'This is my life as a parent.' It's actually all fine when the people whose excrement it is comes from your body. What's a little poop mixed with boogers mixed with pee?\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArnould\n\nJob: Occupational therapistNumber and ages of children: Three children, ages 10, 8 and 6\nHow do you define motherhood?\n\"A lot of love for my children. You give, but you receive much more, more and more.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNicole \n\nAge: 32Job: Commercial clerkNumber and ages of children: Two children, ages 2 and 4\nHow do you measure your success as a parent?\n\"If they have power and joy to play, and they don't just sit in a corner, but move and experience new things.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRobin\n\nAge: 64Number and ages of children: Two children, ages 36 and 32\nWhat is the greatest thing about being a mother?\n\"My daughter is a mother now, and she is just the best mother I've ever seen. She's better than I was.\"\nHow is being a grandmother different from being a mother? \n\"When you're a grandmother, it's like a miracle. When your own kids come, you're so busy and so in it that you don't realize maybe as fully the miracle of having children. But when you see your grandchild, I find myself staring at my granddaughter and everything she does, and just being so aware of how she's developing every day.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHazel\n\nFrom: England\nHow many children do you have?\n\"One. That's enough.\"\nWhat's the best part about being a grandmother?\n\"You can give them back.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nElizabeth\n\nJob: Studying for master's degree in social work at NYUAge: 32Number of children: One child (18 months)\nWhat's one thing no one told you about being a mother?\n\"That it's okay to not love it. It's okay to mourn the fact that your life has changed and that you're giving up certain things, like being able to go to dinner whenever you want or sleep until 10.\"\nWhat's the grossest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"When he was first born, my mom and I were changing his diaper. He farted and then looked up and projectile pooped. I still die when I think about it. It just went all over the wall and he's just giggling. And it's just everywhere.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDoris\n\nAge: 61Job: RetiredNumber of children: Three children (30, 31, 32)\nWhat's the best or worst gift your kids have given you?\n\"My kids are older and everything is beautiful. I think about years ago, and without kids it's not good.\"\n What's been your greatest moment as a mother?\n\"When they go with their own family. I think I do everything right -- it's all okay. They have the family, and all the years I think about what is wrong, but when I see this for me it's all right.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah\n\nAge: 31Job: Mother, part-time bookkeeperNumber and ages of children: Three children, ages 5, 4 and 18 months\nWhat's one of the scariest moments of motherhood?\n\"Just after I had her, I had a major hemorrhage in hospital, so that was really scary. That was the scariest moment. But little stuff scares you as well, like crossing roads with them, when they start kinde that people won't look after them as well as you do. What they say is true: Your heart starts walking around outside of your body, and the more kids you have, the more chances you take.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSabine\n\nFrom: GermanyNumber of children: Two\nWhat's your happiest memory as a mother?\n\"This is our first vacation together as a family in 10 years. I'm very happy today. They keep me young.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVictoria\n\nFrom: UkraineNumber and ages of children: One child, 1 year old\nWhat is one thing you hope for your child when they grow up?\n\"It's happiness -- we are hoping for a better future for him always.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Will Fenstermaker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrances\n\nNumber and age of children: One child, 29 years old\n\"He's happy, so we're happy.\"\nWhat's the scariest part of motherhood?\n\"Him being away and not knowing what he's doing.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJen\n\nAge: 32Number of children: One child\nWhat is the best part about being a mom so far?\n\"Watching him recognize me.\"\n\"He had white pants on earlier -- he pooped on them.\"\nWhat was the grossest thing that has come with motherhood?\n\"One night he puked and it went right down my shirt.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMercia\n\nJob: Baby nurseAge: 50Number and ages of children: Five children (23, 29, 30, 31, 32)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"Nobody's prepared. As much as you read and talk, no one is prepared. When it happens, it happens and you just have a motherly instinct. Every child is different, every mother is different.\"\nWhat's the grossest thing that's happened to you as a mother?\n\"I have four sons -- bringing home girls that I don't like. Every child you sort of have a vision of who you'd like them to be with.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSigal\n\nJob: Art therapistAge: 48Number of children: Three children (11, 18, 19)\nWhat's something no one told you about being a mother?\n\"It's something very absolute -- without break. It's the good and the bad.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAmelia\n\nAge: 39Job: EngineerNumber of children: Two children\nWhat's one of the scariest aspects of parenting?\n\"That they don't feel happy or maybe they don't grow up in the right way, you know?\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Christina Ascani\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRuth &amp; Petra\n\nAge: 100 and 56, respectively\nHow do you feel about Mother's Day?\nRuth: \"I don't have much use for it.\"\nHow did you feel when your child fell in love?\nRuth: \"I can't tell you. It was hidden from me!\"\nWhat was your scariest moment as a mom?\nPetra: \"When my daughter didn't come home overnight. She was 17. That was her first and only night out.\"\nHow did you feel when your child fell in love?\nPetra: \"I wasn't very happy -- that was the day she disappeared.\"\n\n\nImage: Mashable, Bianca Consunji\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/05/07/mothers-day-coupons/>