Being a mother is simply the greatest achievement of my life. It has taken me on an unexpected journey that can constantly surprise, educate and confuse me! The emotional connection I feel towards my children brings boundless elation [ɪ'leʃən] and joy as well as the inevitable [ɪn'ɛvɪtəbl] worry and concern.

They are a wonder to me every day. From a teenage son through to a toddler ['tɑdlɚ] daughter, each moment of every day is filled with different energies, activities, feelings and a lot of comedy. From playing sport to lounging [laʊndʒ] on the sofa, each of my children fill every second with laughter, music and discussion. They are kind hearted and well-mannered and have incredibly enquiring minds, and I feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by these phenomenal [fɪ'nɒmɪn(ə)l] human beings.

Being in a position where they live such a privileged ['prɪvəlɪdʒd] life, it is important that our children understand humility [hjʊ'mɪlɪtɪ], that they appreciate how their parents have worked very hard to create this life for the family and that they, too, have a responsibility to work hard, be respectful and never, ever take anything for granted.

My mother and father always encouraged me and my siblings ['sɪblɪŋ], to have ambitions, and I hope that I can do the same with my children. I hope that I, together with their father, inspire them to dream big and be the best version of themselves that they can be.

Like so many working mothers all over the world, I feel the constant struggle to be the best mother I can, whilst [waɪlst] setting a good example to my children to work hard. I travel for work when it’s necessary, and I miss them all the time when I am away. But they hide notes in my suitcase, which I love to find when unpacking, and I always bring photographs of all the family and put them by my bed so they are the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see when I go to sleep. I love to hear their voices on the phone and seeing their faces—thank goodness for FaceTime. That sense of feeling connected makes being apart that little bit easier.

I have always been a great believer that women should support women, and my admiration [,ædmə'reʃən] goes out to mothers everywhere, as they constantly put their own needs behind those of their children, embracing daily uncertainties and entering the new uncharted [,ʌn'tʃɑrtɪd] territories ['tɛrətɔri] that each day brings, to be, in return, rewarded with joy and unending love.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY Xvb