What gives you hope?

Ema | Whāingaroa

Ema is on a mission to inspire and support other women navigating motherhood.

“That’s what’s made me want to study as well. I’m doing my Bachelor of Counselling, wanting to understand the emotions in everything. That’s really helped with being a mum. And just wanting to better myself for my kids. Set an example. Show the impossible.

I got kicked out of high school at 15. I have ‘nothing’ to show for it, other than life experience and, well, I’m going to blow my own trumpet here, but be a great mum.

I want to be able to empower women when they have children, whether it’s on their own or with men that don’t necessarily want to support them, that it is possible and you can do it. And it is hard, but it’s so worth it at the same time. And so I wanted to counsel women. Just so that I can be like, it’s totally possible. And guide them through it. Like get them through that tough time so that they can just be a great mum.

My granddad found out I was pregnant with my son and he goes “Oh, here we go again, Ema’s got another kid on the way with no dad.” And my mum was just like, “Excuse me, she’s got this,” and I did. And then he met my son and he’s like, “Hello granddad, nice to meet you, my name’s Midian,” and I was like, gotcha!

Lots of my family had doubts and I’ve been judged by them – “Oh Ema, little hippy… living in Raglan, living the life.” And they think I’m so lucky, but actually it’s not luck, it’s just really hard work and being consistent and having a routine.

And if I can teach women with children, then they can teach their children too. It’s all about the future. And I like to think that my two kids would be great little adults for the future.”