‘Motherhood means sacrifice, patience, and fear in God’

As a God-fearing woman, Green Meadow School principal Milagros M. Songcuan says the most important values she’s instilled in her children is faith and fear in God and to see her children practicing these values in their own lives, Songcuan says, is the most rewarding part of motherhood.

Songcuan, the mother of Glenn and Lizelle Songcuan, has called Saipan her home for over 40 years.

“I came to Saipan in 1983 so Saipan has been my home for over 40 years. I’m an accountant by profession and I’m the present principal of Green Meadow School, a position I’ve held for 24 years,” she said.

To her, motherhood means sacrifice, selflessness, patience, love, strength, fear in God, and discipline.

“Mothers play a critical role in families. They are teachers and trainers as it says in the bible in Proverbs 22: “Train a child in the way he should go and even when he grows old, he will not depart from it.”

Songcuan shares that for so long, she dreamt of having children. Then, in February 1986, she found out she was pregnant.

“I was so overjoyed to learn that I was going to become a mother. Then, in November 1987, God gifted me my first child and it was the moment I felt fulfilled as I was finally a mother,” she shared.

In her over 30 years of motherhood, Songcuan shares that the most rewarding aspect is seeing that her children have kept the values she’s instilled in them up to adulthood.

“Raising my children, I always prayed and asked God for wisdom and strength. Now, the most reward aspect of being a mother is seeing my children happy, healthy, successful, and to see that they’ve kept the values I’ve taught them like being respectful, loving, obedient, God-fearing individuals,” she said.

Other values Songcuan and her husband have instilled in their children are the value of education and the value of supporting their community.

In her life, Songcuan said she faced many challenges but the biggest of them all was her near-death experience.

“The biggest challenge I faced as a mother was when I got into an accident back in 2002 where I almost died. I fought for my life because I knew my children need me. In that moment, I knew God was with me, protected me, and saved me,” she said.

Today, Songcuan is able to continue to communicate with her children even though they’ve both grown up and are both living their own lives.

“From an early age, I encouraged my children to be open with us and to always make sure we are available for them and to practice patience (especially when they make mistakes). We always encourage them to pray as prayer will give them wisdom and guidance,” she said.

Advice

As a mother for over 30 years, Songcuan’s advice to new mothers is to make the effort to understand their children.

“Try and be your child’s best friend while also being a great example of excellence. Be an example of humbleness, respect, while trying to get on their level to understand them,” she said.

Songcuan adds that taking care of one’s health is equally as important.

“My motto is ‘Health is Wealth’ and my health is my priority so I can live longer to serve my family. I get regular checkup to ensure that I don’t have severe sicknesses and I also make sure I feel pretty by going to the salon, massage, etc. Most importantly, take care of your spiritual health. I go to church and thank God every day. That’s also what we always tell our kids, to pray and be thankful to God everyday,” she said.

Lastly, Songcuan advices new parents to ensure that they equip their children with the tools they need for adulthood while also supporting their God-given talents.

“Home is our children’s first school and as parents, we are their first teachers. The parent’s job is to equip children with the tools and experience they will need on their journey to adulthood. With their God-given talents, skills, and abilities; we should support them,” she said.