KOTA TINGGI: A woman who became a mother overnight when she married her husband who had four children from a previous marriage, said she counts her blessings because the children have given her an opportunity to become a mother.
"They are not the only ones who need love and affection, I need it too. They are Allah SWT's precious gifts to me, and they have allowed me to become a mother even though I did not give birth to them.
Khairiah Yaakob, 37, married the children's father, Rahmat Abd Kadir, 42, in May last year.
Khairiah who bakes from home does not have any children from her previous marriage because she suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the nervous system which she was diagnosed with since 2014.
She said she was willing to accept her husband even though he had four children because the children lost their mother to breast cancer three years ago.
According to her, before she got married she only met the children twice and she admitted that their relationship felt somewhat awkward during the first three months of marriage.
She said that throughout that period, she tried to get to know them better even though they have different characters and personalities.
"I always accompany them when they sit down for a meal and when they study. These are the little things that I do which have brought us closer.
"Alhamdulillah, after the silence in the first three months, our home is now full of noise. Nothing makes me happier that the four children willingly accepting and loving me," she said.
She said she does not view her husband's four children as her stepchildren.
"It was never my intention to take their real mother's place, in fact I just want to do right by them and fill the void as children need a mother. I do not expect anything more because I know that their mother has a special place in their hearts.
"For me, this is the opportunity for me to take on the responsibilities of being a mother and this is perfect even though I did not give birth to them," said Khairiah who depends on medication to avoid the risk of a stroke.
Another woman also became an 'instant' mother when she married a man who had six children from a previous marriage. There was talk that she was being lined up to be maid for the children, but she said that she did not take such words to heart.
Aisyah Mahamad Zainal, 34, from Muar, married Muhamad Muzzamil Katemon, 47, after he lost his first wife to pancreatic cancer.
According to her, the six children have accepted her into their lives and call her 'Mama' except for the eldest who at the time was already 10 years-old.
She said that when she first became part of the family, the eldest called her 'Cik Aisyah' because the name 'Mama' was reserved for their real mother.
"I was happy, I was relieved that all the chilren were able to accept my presence in their lives and to be honest I did not take anything to heart when the eldest did not call me 'Mama'.
"Alhamdulillah, 10 years later our relationship has gotten closer and even the eldest calls me 'mama' now," she said from their home in Parit Sakai Darat here.
She admitted that she is strict with her six stepchildren and teaches them to help with household chores.
"I want the children to learn to be independent and to know how to carry out chores, responsibilities and tasks as how my mother taught me.
She said her husband was diagnosed with nose cancer two years ago and he he has completed chemotherapy treatment and has to undergo a medical check up and appointment every six months.
Muhamad Muzzamil said that he was moved by Aisyah's sacrifice as she readily helps to manage and see to the children while also taking care of him as he battles cancer.
