Between therapies, tiredness and love, atypical mothers transform Women’s Day into a symbol of resistance

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At , celebrated on March 8, stories of mothers who experience atypical motherhood gain even more meaning. In Acre, women who are part of the community share a routine marked by intense challenges, unconditional love and a daily fight for rights, inclusion and understanding.

Atypical motherhood, experienced by mothers of children with , requires a complete reorganization of life. Therapies, consultations, unexpected crises, prejudice and the constant search for information are part of everyday life. Many of these women report that, at a certain point, they stopped being seen as women and were only recognized for their role as caregivers.

By , seven mothers from AFAC agreed to share their experiences, challenges and feelings about atypical motherhood. In reports marked by sincerity and emotion, they talk about the intense care routine, the impact on emotional health, the lack of social recognition and, at the same time, the strength they find daily to continue fighting for their children.

Heloneida da Gama, mother of João Vitor Gama

Heloneida reports that atypical motherhood brought profound changes to her social life and the way she started to be seen by the people around her. According to her, at various times she was no longer invited to simple daily activities, something that highlights how many mothers end up involuntarily withdrawing from social life.

“Yes, many times, there are no invitations to parties, to have a beer…”, he says. For Heloneida, the struggle of atypical mothers is still not recognized by society, which is often unaware of the intensity of the routine of these families.

Over the years, she says she has tried to rescue small moments for herself. “After my son turns 5, I try to have that time for myself, go to the movies, talk to real people, have a snack.” For her, being an atypical woman and mother means experiencing a love that transforms tiredness into daily strength.

Karoliny Gonçalves, mother of Kersam Gonçalves

For Karoliny, atypical motherhood occupies practically every space in life, which means that many women end up being seen only as caregivers. She states that the intense routine ends up reducing time for other dimensions of life.

“Yes, an atypical life doesn’t allow us to be just mothers”, she says. In her opinion, recognition of the struggle of atypical mothers is still restricted to those who live the same reality.

Emotional overload also appears in his report. “Honestly no, jokes aside from mental health are for another world lol, some days are full of smiles and on others it’s crying hidden under the shower just so my son doesn’t see that I’m falling apart.” Still, she reinforces that you have to live one day at a time.

Danielle Freitas dos Santos, mother of Angelina Santos Silvestre

Danielle says that there were times when the intensity of atypical motherhood made her stop seeing herself as a woman. According to her, the care routine and social demands ended up impacting her personal identity.

“Yes, because there were moments when even I stopped seeing myself as a woman. There were so many moments of pain that I lost myself.” She also remembers that many families face demands for children to fit into standards considered normal.

The lack of social understanding, according to Danielle, reinforces the invisibility of the cause. “Unfortunately not, because there are so many nuances that I understand that, somehow, society cannot visualize.” She also reports that she faced depression and obesity during this process, until she was able to resume self-care and reorganize her own life.

Rauana Batalha Albuquerque Mendes, mother of Amora Albuquerque Mendes

Rauana states that maintaining one’s own identity within atypical motherhood requires constant effort. According to her, dedication to their daughter’s needs often makes mothers put aside personal tastes and everyday habits.

“Yes. In fact, it’s an intense search to not lose yourself. I’ve lost myself a few times and resorted to therapy because I was sick.” She remembers that even small choices began to be adapted to avoid her daughter’s crises.

For Rauana, society even realizes the existence of these difficulties, but often prefers to ignore them. “I believe they understand, but they don’t care, because it’s not their problem.” Even in the face of difficulties, she defines atypical motherhood as a daily rebirth.

Maria Leonilza Gomes Silva, mother of Eduardo Gomes da Silva

Maria Leonilza states that atypical motherhood also changed the way she came to be seen socially. According to her, dedication to her son ends up taking up a large part of her time and priorities.

“I think so,” she responds when asked if she has ever felt seen only as a mother. The intense routine means that, most of the time, the child follows her in practically all day-to-day activities.

“I almost always have to take my son with me, except to get my nails or hair done.” She also reports that the diagnosis had significant impacts on her emotional health, but reinforces that the strength to continue comes from the love for her son.

Bárbara Maia, mother of Eduardo Jorge

Bárbara reports that the change in the way she started to be seen began during her pregnancy. For her, society often demonstrates empathy in a superficial way, without truly understanding the challenges faced by atypical families.

“Yes and no, those who show empathy show it with a look of pity, with a visible mix of relief at not being with them.” According to her, finding true empathy is still rare.

She also highlights the importance of a support network and self-care. “When I couldn’t take time for myself I was wasting away, to the point of losing sight in one eye due to lack of care.” Today, she states that taking moments for herself is essential to maintain emotional balance.

Katianny Poesrch, mother of Pedro Luis

Katianny states that atypical motherhood completely redefined the way she came to be seen by the people around her. According to her, many women end up being labeled only as warrior mothers, leaving other dimensions of their identity aside.

“Several times we go from being seen as a woman who can make dreams come true, to being seen as a warrior and fighting mother.” She also believes that there is a distance between supportive discourse and social practice.

In the daily routine, finding time for yourself is still a challenge. “On a daily basis, I always end up doing what is necessary around me, but for me it is always left aside.” Even so, she says that giving up is not an option and that the fight for her children continues every day.

The stories of these women show that International Women’s Day is also a time to recognize the strength of mothers who face motherhood marked by constant challenges, but also by a deep love that sustains each step of the journey.

More than facing consultations, therapies, crises and the exhausting routine of care, atypical mothers learn to rebuild their own lives every day. Between tiredness and hope, they remain firm, transforming love into strength to continue fighting for their children, even when the world does not seem to understand their journey. On International Women’s Day, the stories of these mothers reveal that being a woman also means resisting, starting over as many times as necessary and finding, in the love for your children, the courage to face each new dawn.