COLUMN: Let's hear it for the mums this Mothers Day weekend - Nicola Farah

I speak from vast experience, as I both have one and am one.

I now know the old adage to be true: you don’t really understand how much your mum loves you until you have a child of your own.

Motherhood changes you in ways you can never prepare for. Some of the changes are tough - a waistline that doesn’t want to return and a brand new inability to watch charity television adverts without sobbing - and some wonderful - an overwhelming love and a new level of selflessness, that sees you truly relegate yourself into eternal second place, and happily.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it got me thinking about my own mum, the wonderful Hazel. As a mum she’s patient, warm and kind and, when my brother and sister and I were kids, she attended all of our shows, practices and rehearsals and listened to all of our stories - all while climbing the corporate ladder. My childhood was filled with happy memories and wonderful adventures, with my parents at the centre. Now, at just turned 60 - and with an empty nest for the first time in 35 years after my baby sister moved out last weekend - it’s wonderful to see her as ‘Grams’ to my own daughter.

She’s guided me through every step of the past two years, while always respecting my methods and giving me the space to do things my own way.

And it turns out I’m not alone in my soppy adulation this week. Much of social media, including The Star’s Facebook page, has been littered with messages of gratitude to wonderful mums who deserve recognition for making us who we are.

Lianne Asquith, of Barnsley, wrote on The Star’s Facebook page: “My mum taught me to not be afraid to stand out and be, do and wear whatever I like. She had a pair of Doc Martens when I was a kid and I always said when I grow up, I’m gonna have a pair too. And I do - several in fact! She’s always been my idol.”

Catherine Matthews, of Waterthorpe in Sheffield, also wrote: “My mum told me if they don’t like you it’s their problem, so don’t waste your time with them. 
It was great advice.”

Kate Raynor, also of Barnsley, wrote: “My mum taught me to be compassionate and kind always, and to try to see things from other people’s perspective. It’s infuriating when you want to have a moan about someone, but begrudgingly I think she’s right.”

My favourite Tweet came from actress Kate Hudson, who shared advice once given to her by mum Goldie Hawn, saying: “Kate, be happy. And if you can’t be happy, get drunk and then you’ll really be happy.”