Mothers Day 2023: Geraldton mum of two Naomi Hughes on motherhood and donating a kidney to son Kai

Motherhood as one word refers to the experience as a whole, years and years of emotions, work and connection.

For me, and many others, motherhood is so much more — it’s the little celebrations every day, the reminder you are raising a small human to one day be a big human.

I was 32 weeks pregnant with my first born, Kai, when I had an ultrasound that discovered his kidneys were undersized and would not function properly. I was taken in for a caesarean, and told this would give him the best possible chance at life.

As a mum, when your kid is hurt, upset or sick, the only thought you can have is “I wish I could just take that feeling away”. For our family, we were given the opportunity to do this in the form of organ donation when Kai was four years old.

When I was given the opportunity to donate one of my kidneys to Kai, I didn’t even think twice. It has been simultaneously been the most rewarding and challenging experience of my life.

The journey of motherhood is enduring, I wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of my own mum, and my mother-in-law — they have made me into a resilient and compassionate mother myself, holding my hand through everything and teaching me to be courageous through every hurdle.

My younger son Rhys is 5, and Kai is now 8 and every time I see them smile I am filled with the most indescribable amount of love. I see them come to school pick-up hugging each other, and I am so proud to have raised such kind and loving boys.

When they play sport, or get a certificate at school, whenever they’re having fun — I’m just so happy that I get to be there and share these experiences with them.

If I could give one piece of advice to new mums, it would be to soak up every last minute while they’re little. They grow up in the blink of an eye, and before you know it they’re leaving home.

You cannot describe the feeling of motherhood with words, it is the most joyous and rewarding experience that I have been so lucky to have, and I am so glad I get to share it with Kai and Rhys.