Motherhood: Coco Sabajo, mother of 3
Who is Coco Sabajo?
Never sure what I really have to say about me when asked this question, you’re better off just having a coffee with me, lol. But technically, mother of (almost) 3, partner to my better half and overall enthousiast of life.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family and background?
I come from a very large and loving family. We come with many and we’re loud and chaotic and hysterical and love each other so much, I couldn’t be more grateful growing up in that as a kid. It definitely defined me as a person and shaped who and what I wanted to be later in life and I cherish that every single day. I’m the eldest of 5 children. Background wise? My mother is from Chinese-Indonesian descent and my father Surinamese-Arowakken descent. I’ll just leave it with that because those are the 4 biggest blood lines running through our veins, but it’s safe to say that we are much more.
Can you tell us a little bit about your children and their personalities?
I would love to, but to be very frank, we’re still discovering them daily. Them being 2 and 4 now, are learning how to be and getting to know themselves every single day, as are we. What I can tell, is that our eldest has a more introvert character whereas our second is way more extrovert. One could state they resemble Pepijn and me - guess who’s the introvert?
The biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a mother?
Holding on and letting go. Being softer but also being stricter. Naturally taking care of them but also learning the value and importance of taking care of you. Accepting all the feels, always? So many lessons learned every day, it’s a never ending cycle because they consist of so many phases and we’re all still going through them.
Are you and Pepijn different in parenting?
We’re a team. I’m definitely a more strict parent, he’s softer. However, he has taught me to be more soft as I’ve taught him to be more strict.. so we grow together and learn from each other. I did recently have a conversation where the person asked me what Pepijn’s
position in his family was; he’s
the youngest of his siblings and I’m the eldest of mine. She said it reflected right back on the way we parented hahahah!
How do you balance parenthood and quality time with Pepijn?
We are very fortunate to have a lot of help. We’re very close with our family -with some we even live in the same building- and they help out a lot. They give us the freedom to balance parenthood and quality time together. We recently took a trip together to one of our favourite cities in the world for a week, no kids. I mean, I never thought we would and it all happened pretty spontaneous and fast, but I’m so glad we did and our support team made it work with and for us - find yourself a support team! Invest in them! Love them!
What is the most important lesson you want to teach your children?
To be kind and honest, respecting of their environment and knowing their worth and value, always, everywhere.
Do you have any advice/tips you would like to give a newborn mother?
So many, but also so different for every single one. Just know that what you’re feeling at any given moment is normal and ok. Even when you’re not ok. Reach out and ask for advice or help from your environment, but also learn to trust yourself in what you’re feeling and doing.
What are your struggles being a mother?
Probably the feeling of not doing good enough.
What was your life like before being a mother?
Filled with less love and satisfaction? Haha! I loved my life before, but being a mother just defined my path so much more. Not even as a mother, but all the side tracks being a mother has given me.. stay tuned...
How would you describe your (new) home?
As our new sanctuary. And my sister and brother in law will be living one floor beneath us, GOOOOAAAALS! I can’t wait. Now the rest of the fam.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’m so glad you launched Petit Sheets just in time for the arrival of our third baby - highly appreciated.
Instagram: Coco Sabajo