A proud mother first

SHE’S among the familiar faces at the City Prosecution Office and she holds her work as staff in high regard.

But, Ma. Teresa P. Nabatar says she is most proud to be a mother to her brood of five: Anna Corazon, 26; Ivan Joseph, 22; Steven, 20; Camille, 17; and Alexis Jr., 12. Motherhood, she says, gives more satisfaction than any salary can give.

Nabatar has been with receiving section of the CPO for the past 10 years. Her task is to receive complaints.

Her husband never forced her to work, she says, it was a personal choice.
She was once a stay at home mom, but decided to seek employment when three of their five brood were already big enough to take care of themselves.
She decided that the family can use the additional income to provide for the children’s education and upbringing.

“They can already handle themselves. I trust them so much since I have inculcated them the right manners and good conduct that every child should possess,” she says.

She admits that she would scold her children, it’s part of the disciplining process, she says.

Her pet peeve is when a child will not reply to her text messages.

“Masuko gyud ko ana kay alangan kinsa man ang inahan ang dili mabalaka nga sige ka ug text sa imong anak pero wala gyud nagareply (What mother will not get angry if you keep texting your child and he doesn’t reply?”

She is, however, lenient with regards her children’s love relationships.
This is so because the reason she married early was to rebel against her parents who were very strict about her activities and personal relationships.

“In fact, sa ka open namo, akong mga adult wala pa gyud naminyo. Ginasungog gani nako ngano dili pa sila magminyo kay dili sila gusto mulayo sa ako (In our openness to each other about relationships, not one of my adult brood has married yet. I’ve been chiding them that the reason they are not married is because they do not want to be parted from me),” Nabatar says.

Aside from giving unconditional love, she says, a mother should be patient and full of wisdom to impart to her children.

“I can proudly say I am certainly one of the most affectionate and loving one,” she says.

Motherhood is such a joy even if it is also a very big sacrifice.
“You put yourself last on your list of concerns to attend to,” she says, but this is quickly compensated by the love a child gives back.

“Ginaingnan nako sila, bahala na wala koy baon basta eskwela lang gyud mo (I always tell them that never mind if they don’t have a daily allowance for school, they just have to stay in school),’ she says.

Motherhood is, indeed, a roller-coaster ride but at the end of the day, it is worth every effort, and this Nabatar can attest to.