Supermum now at childcare
WHAT does a mother of 14 do when her children grow up?
Devote her time to looking after other people’s children.
Wilhelmina Roelof juggles looking after her grandchildren with caring for other people’s children at the day care centre at Tully, south of Cairns.
The career mother celebrated her 60th birthday last week with an ever-increasing brood including eight daughters, six sons, seven in-laws, 15 grandchildren, her husband Hendrik and "two more grandchildren who are on the way".
"It can be busy and at times chaotic but it’s great," a beaming Mrs Roelof told The Weekend Post.
"The wonderful thing about big families is that everybody helps each other."
Her youngest offspring is now 17 and her eldest 40 years.
She remembers years of "carrying somebody (and) having somebody else on my lap" and the utter joy of cradling another new baby in her arms.
"Those are the most joyful times," she said yesterday.
"I just loved, and still love, being a mum."
Without young children of her own to care for anymore, a childcare centre was the natural destination for Mrs Roelof.
She now works five days a week after completing a certificate in childcare.
"I needed it – there was so much to learn about health and safety regulations and all the procedures as well as how to deal with the children," a laughing Mrs Roelof said of her studies.
Her tips for parenthood are from the heart: "Give your children lots of love and attention, be consistent and be there for them".
The proud grandmother said big families stuck together.
"I have two brothers and a sister and my husband was an only child so we weren’t brought up like this, but for us things just flowed naturally and we went from one (child) to 14," she said.
"I would never have been without any of them.
"We’re a close family and to see my children now having children is just so rewarding."
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Supermum: Wilhelmina Roelof reared 14 of her own children and now she is working five days a week at a Tully childcare centre. Picture: VERONICA SAGREDO
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