Jessica Tan-Gan: Defining a Mother’s Love
For Jessica Tan-Gan, magical is one of the words to describe being a mother to her three kids.
This story about Jessica Tan-Gan appeared in the Modern Parenting Mother’s Day and Father’s Day May 2024 issue.
Jessica Tan-Gan took time when she was asked about defining a mother’s love. “ It’s just something that’s ingrained in us. It’s not even a choice. Why is a mother’s love so strong? Because they came from us,” gushes the mom of three, Benjamin, Amina, and Apollo.
“I always think that a mother and a child are physically and I guess, spiritually connected.” To experience a mother’s love is quite a different story for Jessica because it is strong but also “magical.” “It’s like, something you can’t even control, right? When you become a mother, it’s a transformation.”
What Jessica’s day in motherhood looks like
Jessica’s daily schedule is packed with the kids’ activities, working with her mom, designer, Lulu Tan-Gan, running her business, Morsels Healthy Snacks, but family is her top priority. And as a mom raising young kids, she is grateful to have her mom by her side.
She also admires her mom’s work ethics. “Her work ethic has always been so strong. I remember taking naps at her office table, when she’d have meetings in restaurants, she’d put two chairs together and I’d take a nap there. We’d always be in her fashion shows and I remember giving her flowers at the end. I’d look for her backstage when it was all over. Luckily, until today, our relationship and dynamic remain the same,” Jessica said of her relationship with her mom. “We’ve always been buddies and always laugh when we’re together.”
Loving her children the same way her mom does her
“I learned early on that as parents, we must respect that kids are kids. We have to be patient, understanding, and sensitive to their actions and emotions. My parents never punished or hit me so I, too, would never resort to disciplining my kids in that manner. I was given a lot of freedom to make my own choices and mistakes growing up and I give my children that same freedom,” she shares.
“I will always stand by them and their decisions because I trust them,” adds Jessica. She wishes that she and her daughter Amina could have something as special as what she and mom have well into her adulthood.
As to what she would say to her kids in the future, Jessica replied, “I always tell them this every chance I get ‘that I love them no matter what. They don’t have to do anything or be anything for me to pay attention or give them affection, because I love them just as they are.”
To read the full article, grab a copy of Modern Parenting’s special Holiday 2023 Print Edition—available on sarisari.shopping. Download the e-Magazine from Readly or Press Reader for more exclusive features and stories.
Words ALEXA VILLANO
Photography KIERAN PUNAY of KLIQ, INC.
Hair and Make-up Stylists TWINKLE BERNARDO and ANGELI ALFONSO
Art Direction DENIELLE CARAG
Shoot Coordination ANTHONY MENDOZA, HELEN SCALES, MAE SICAT, and SHEM BARINAGA
Sittings Editor MARGA MEDRANO-TUPAZ
Shot on Location at AGC POWER HOLDING STUDIOS
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