SUNDAY will be a Mother's Day like no other.
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Usually the annual celebration sees families from across the Hunter flock together for picnics, barbecues, restaurant lunches, or maybe a trip to the markets.
Those plans have been curtailed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If anything, COVID-19 has brought into focus the sacrifices mothers make for their children. Over the past two months the majority of Australia's four million students have been home-schooled by their mothers, many who are also juggling their own jobs.
Thankfully the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions last week in NSW arrived in time for Mother's Day.
Two adults and their dependent children are free to enter another home and thousands of Hunter families will be taking that opportunity on Sunday to pay a long overdue visit to mums, grandmothers, daughters, aunties and carers.
Laura Hughes will be one Newcastle resident celebrating her first Mother's Day. On March 17 - the day COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in NSW medical facilities - Ms Hughes gave birth to twin boys Harvey and Harrison at the John Hunter Hospital. Due to social distancing restrictions her sons have had limited contact with their extended family.
"It definitely wasn't what I was expecting being pregnant," Ms Hughes said. "At the time you imagine what it might be like once you've given birth with people coming to visit you in hospital, people coming to see you at your home."
It's just been amazing. You definitely can't prepare for how awesome it feels.
- Ashleigh Hays
Last weekend Harvey and Harrison were finally introduced to their four grandparents and an aunty and uncle. Ms Hughes was planning to spend Mother's Day with her parents from Wollongong at home, before receiving a visit from her mother-in-law.
"That's gonna be pretty special because they haven't met their cousins," Ms Hughes said before restrictions were eased.
"They haven't met my parents properly. My mum has come to stay, but my dad hasn't seen them other than through the window."
It'll also be a treasured first Mother's Day for Newcastle's Ashleigh Hays. On April 15 she welcomed the birth of her daughter Ari.
"It's just been amazing," Ms Hays said. "You definitely can't prepare for how awesome it feels."
The full report is available in the Herald's Weekender, May 9.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
