MOTHER'S DAY WITH STINE GOYA & HELLE MARDAHL
Two creatives. Two mothers. Four boys. One very long friendship.
At what point did you realise this was one of those friendships that would last?
Helle: We worked together, travelled together, raised our boys together. At some point it stopped being a friendship and started being family.
Stine: There wasn't one exact moment — more an evolution over many years. A friendship collaged together from super happy, crazy moments, having kids at the same time, supporting each other through hard times, and being completely honest with each other when there's a disagreement. That honesty is what makes it last.
Finish this sentence: "When I became a mother, I didn't expect..."
Helle: ...how overwhelming it would be. There's an extreme beauty in being there for someone else completely, but it fills everything.
Stine: ...to feel the kind of love you can only feel for your kids. It's endless. But also the feeling of being insufficient surprised me. Even when you spend every hour trying to give them what they need while also having a professional life. Not always the easiest.
What's something the other person does as a mother that you admire?
Helle: Stine has always had an extra reserve of energy. She prioritises deeply, sees her children for who they are, and has real patience. She's honest about what's hard too, and she shares openly.
Stine: Helle does so many creative things with her boys. I really admire this — I believe creativity helps build confidence in children by letting them open their minds and express themselves in ways that feel safe and playful.
What's the one piece of motherhood advice you keep coming back to?
Helle: Show them the world. Different places, different people, different layers of society. Let them see that people are different.
Stine: Show a lot of interest in your children's lives — play with them, talk to them. Do it even when you're tired, even when you don't feel like playing football. They need to feel listened to and seen. That's how you help them become confident.
|