WITH Mother’s Day this Sunday, we take a moment to honour the incredible mother figures in our lives – the women who give selflessly, love unconditionally and help shape the next generation.
One such woman is 39-year-old Lisa Catton, an inspirational Ipswich mother of eight whose motherhood journey is nothing short of remarkable.
Ms Catton was a foster carer for over a decade, opening her heart and home to more than 30 children during that time.
“We got into foster caring after battling infertility and giving up on IVF,” she said.
Where it led was life-changing, receiving permanent care orders for six children, who later became eligible for adoption.
Those six were adopted and officially became part of the family.
But her journey didn’t stop there. Against all odds, she later gave birth to two “miracle babies” of her own.
Today, Ms Catton along with her husband Nathan, is raising a bustling household of eight children, ranging in age from one to 25.
“Mother’s Day has always been special to me,” she said.
“When I was going through infertility, it was a day of grief. But becoming a mum and being able to fill that role – even through fostering – it felt amazing.”
Facing her fair share of challenges, from battling public misconceptions – like being told “you’re not their mum” or “they already have parents” – to the constant scrutiny foster carers face, her path hasn’t been easy.
“There’s a lot of stigma,” she said.
“But for me, they’re still mine. I’ll protect them regardless. It always just felt right – even if it’s not all rainbows and lollipops.”
Welcoming her youngest two brought a new dimension to motherhood.
“The older kids never got to experience babies in the house, so to go through that together was really special. It allowed me to role model what a healthy relationship and happy home can look like.”
Her eldest is now 25 and getting married next year – a testament to the family’s strong foundation.
This Mother’s Day, we salute Lisa and all the extraordinary women like her, whose love, dedication and resilience make the world a better place.
