Mother’s Day, Wollongbar mum Melody Everleigh shares why she loves being a mum | Lismore City News

For Melody Everleigh, there is no greater joy than being a mum, and on Sunday, three-week-old baby Hazel will join the Wollongbar family in celebrating Mother’s Day.

Hazel is a sister for Ruby, 4, and Sage, 2, and daughter for Melody and Rhys.

Melody said watching babies grow and develop their own personalities was one of the best things about being a mum, and the unconditional love you get is “just amazing”.

She said the biggest challenge for her was trying to teach her children the “right thing”, to have good morals and values, as well as being a good role model herself, because, “they are paying attention more than you realise”.

Melody believed the role of motherhood was still the same as it had been for her mother, but society’s expectations had changed.

“My mum didn’t have a lot of support, and she had six kids,” Melody said. “Now the role of fathers has changed. I have a lot of support”

Access to an abundance of information has it’s advantages, but Melody feels sometimes the natural mother instinct could be lost as mums tried to keep up.

Melody said her third birth had been the best experience so far. While she says that may be due to her being more experienced and prepared for what was to come, she praised the Midwifery Group Program at Lismore Base Hospital for helping make the process easier.

“They knew me, knew what I wanted, and took time out to talk to me. It alleviated my stress and anxiety. My midwife was amazing.”

Baby Hazel was one of more than 315 babies born at Lismore Base Hospital this year.

Katharine Duffy, Director Nursing and Midwifery, Northern NSW Local Health District said in 2022, 1279 babies were born at Lismore Base Hospital.

She said midwives had shown incredible resilience over the past 12 months, and invited those who had been cared for by an outstanding nurse or midwife in the district to go to its website and nominate them for the Healing Heart Consumer Appreciation Award. This award closes on May 14.

Melody said: “Having children was life-changing, inside and out. It’s the most amazing thing I’ll ever do”.

“Mother’s Day is an opportunity to recognise the important role mums play in our lives and giving them a break”. Melody will spend the day with her mum and family.