Finding home through Motherhood: A newcomer mother’s story

This Mother’s Day, we are celebrating the strength, resilience, and love of newcomer moms like Suzana Putnik.

Suzana arrived in Canada from Kula, Serbia, in January 2025. Like many newcomers, she faced a world that felt entirely different the people, the culture, even the food. While she quickly grew to like Canada, finding a true sense of home has been a journey.

Since arriving, Suzana has been attending English classes and participating in the HIPPY program at ISANS. Through these experiences, she discovered a new sense of independence.

“I have realized how much I can do on my own,” she shares. “Back home, I relied on others more, but here I take care of everything for my home and family myself.”

One of the most meaningful changes for Suzana has been raising her children in a diverse community. “In our town in Serbia, everyone looked very similar,” she explains. “When my daughter Petra first saw people from different backgrounds here, it was a completely new experience.” Today, her children are growing up seeing diversity as something natural and that brings Suzana a lot of joy.

Motherhood in a new country has also changed her perspective. “I have learned to slow down,” she says. “I used to rush and often told my kids ‘no’ or ‘wait.’ Now I try to be present, accept things as they are, and really engage with them.”

Her advice to other newcomer moms is simple but honest: “You need a lot of patience. It’s a big adjustment for children when they first arrive and feel like no one understands them. I also recommend taking every class and program available. Programs like HIPPY helped me focus on my children without distractions.”

“Being a mom means you don’t have your own life anymore! But it has two sides,” she adds with a laugh. “It’s the best thing I have ever done, and I feel so proud, but it’s also a very challenging journey.”

Petra and her brother Isak light up when they talk about their mom. “The funniest thing Mom does is the way she jokes and plays with us,” they say. “She has so many powers because she does everything at once maybe she even has laser eyes!”

What makes their mom special? Petra and Isak say it’s the love she shows every day especially through the warm, comforting hugs she gives. And how do they know she loves them? The answer is simple: she tells them every single day.

This Mother’s Day, we honour all moms who are building new lives, nurturing their families, and creating a sense of belonging one day at a time.