As Mother’s Day approaches on 11 May, we reflect on the unique journeys of mothers raising children in multicultural Australia. Being a mother in a country as diverse as Australia has taught these women not only about parenting, but also about resilience, identity, and the ongoing process of learning. In this story, we hear from four mothers who share how they’ve balanced Indian values, language, and traditions with the challenges and joys of raising children in a society that embraces many cultures. Their reflections offer a heartfelt glimpse into how motherhood has deepened their understanding of family, culture, and themselves.
PAROMITA MUKHERJEE
Almost two decades ago I landed in England as a new bride looking forward to that pot of gold, I believed, lay beyond the rainbow. My dream turned into reality over the years and my pot of gold, indeed, landed on my lap in the shape of two tiny beings, my sons.
I had arrived in the U.K. with a weightage that no airline would permit; my middleclass values, my Indian cultural heritage, my education that stood by my principles. In short, I was in my heart of hearts a quintessential Indian woman whose exposure to the western world was more about the broader gamut of music, films, education and tourism rather than the realities of daily life struggles.
My motherhood posed no greater challenge than most in my situation with two toddlers at home. But my first encounter with my own identity happened soon enough as I began to deal with the feeding habits of my sons. I grew up in India seeing everyone feeding kids our staple food, lentil soup, rice, fish curry, chicken curry etc. but my kids refused to adhere to the norm I knew as norm.
Both my sons started to go to nursery, the day care facility, from about 18 months, and gradually took a great liking towards food like jacket potato, spaghetti bolognese, pizza, pasta, etc.
There I was faced with my first hurdle to let go of my own stigma that my own sons may not have similar tastes as mine as far as their cuisine journey begins.
Hence, began a very inconsequential but not unmissable story of my identity crisis.
Soon the boys began school, and while we were speaking our mother tongue Bengali at home which they spoke and understood well, the school opened doors to a world that essentially spoke a language different to ours. It took only a while for them to realise that we are an exception, and the outside world is the rule.
In England, the generations of Indians living for more than 100 years had given them an identity and my sons fell easily into that category of being known as the British Indian. I now could see that the thin line that was dividing us surfacing gently.
It was not too long since then that we made our ‘continental shift’ from England to Australia and began our new journey as immigrants in a country still warming up to the idea of multicultural diversity.
My older son went off to his new school as the only one in his class with a brown skin. Kudos to him, he rose to the occasion and fitted in well. Kudos to the school for making him feel welcome. For me the struggle continued as an immigrant mum as now my boys took to various activities from sports to culture, soccer, cricket, cross country to drama, choir, social dancing.
Where did I fit in all of this? My childhood was steeped in a cultural repertoire shaped by the likes of legendary figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray. My knowledge of dance was rooted in Indian classical forms, and the songs I grew up with were either Bengali or Bollywood hits. Western music came to me in the form of classics like Mozart and Beethoven, or legendary bands such as ABBA and Boney M, alongside iconic personalities like Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and Billy Joel.
As my struggle continued to overwhelm me, I realised that the line that was tearing us apart, was now almost threatening my existence as a mother and questioning my ability as a parent. If I don’t know who I am, how will I give my sons their identity as who they are!
I underwent what I term as ‘identity evolution’. I understood the need for change, a change that brings two worlds together and ties different upbringing to create a beautiful balance of understanding and positivity. I had to evolve as a person, and more importantly as a mother. I had to revisit my old school learnings and reconnect them to my new experiences and observations. In evolving, I redefined myself not forgetting my roots and yet adhering to those of my sons’.
My journey as a mother involved several key steps. First, I accepted that while my sons are of Indian origin, their identity is British Indian or Australian Indian, shaped by their life in Australia rather than my childhood memories in India. A reality check came when my younger son was embarrassed after I attended an Indian event in traditional attire, reinforcing the need to instill pride in their heritage both at home and with their Australian peers.
Although they attend a Catholic school, I made sure they connected with their Hindu roots, inviting their Aussie friends to their ‘thread ceremony,’ which helped them embrace both cultures. As teenagers, open communication became vital, allowing us to discuss sensitive topics like sex and relationships and build trust. Finally, I worked to ensure my sons understood their worth, balancing humility with self-assurance so they could grow up confident and proud of their identity.
MINOLATA KAY
Raising children in Australia while keeping Indian values, language, and traditions alive has been a meaningful and intentional journey. At home, I make it a priority to speak our native language Meiteilon so that my children stay connected to their roots and can communicate with grandparents and extended family. It brings me a great deal of joy to witness them confidently speaking Manipuri on video calls with their grandparents.
We actively celebrate our festivals such as Diwali, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chakouba, Holi, and Navratri—engaging the kids in rituals, cooking traditional dishes together, dressing up with our traditional attire and sharing the cultural stories behind each event.
My goal is to strike a balance where they can embrace both their Indian heritage and Australian upbringing with pride. It’s not always easy, but with consistency, storytelling, and family involvement, we’ve found a rhythm that keeps our culture alive at home.
And in Melbourne we have a small community where we meet up frequently and help each other out. This has helped bring the community together and teach the Manipuri culture and traditions.
Being a mother in a multicultural country such as Australia has taught me a great deal about who I am. I’ve learned how to adapt and grow as I raise my children in different cultures. It has made me appreciate my own background more and I want to share it with my kids through language, food, and traditions.
At the same time, I’ve come to realise that it’s okay to feel a sense of belonging in more than one place. I’ve seen how vital community is—whether it comes from people who share my culture or from those with different backgrounds. Most of all, I’ve realised that I’m still learning. Being a mother in such a diverse country has helped me become more open-minded, patient, and conscious of the kind of person and parent I want to be.
SUNALINI ESHAN ARYA
Passing on Indian values, traditions, and language while raising children in Australia has been both a joy and a challenge. I owe much of our success to my mother-in-law, who lives with us and has been the true keeper of our culture. Her everyday actions—speaking our language, sharing childhood stories, and teaching my children about customs, rituals, and their meanings—have given them a living connection to India. Without her, carrying the weight of our traditions alone might have felt overwhelming.
I am deeply grateful for her sacrifices—leaving behind her home, friends, and a lifetime of memories in India to help us build a bridge between the past and the future here. She speaks to the children in our mother tongue, prepares traditional meals, celebrates every festival, decorates our home, and involves the kids in it all, keeping our culture alive in everyday life.
It hasn’t always been easy—the pull of mainstream culture is strong, and traditions can feel distant in a new land—but her dedication ensures that the heartbeat of India still echoes in our home. We all try our best, but having her here is truly special—she gives our children a richer, deeper connection to their roots, offering them something priceless: a sense of who they are, even as they grow up halfway across the world.
Motherhood in multicultural Australia has taught me resilience and deepened my appreciation for my heritage. It’s shown me the importance of creating a sense of belonging, even when far from home. I’m profoundly grateful for my mother-in-law’s love and guidance—for all she has given up, including her own home and the familiar rhythms of life in India, to help us raise our children with love, wisdom, and a strong connection to their roots.
I have also realised that it takes a village to raise children, but in our case, that village is one brave grandmother who sets aside her own dreams to give her grandchildren the gift of culture and belonging. Through her, motherhood has taught me that what I have is precious and irreplaceable.
Over time, I’ve realised that motherhood is not just about nurturing your own children, but about nurturing legacies across generations. As we look ahead, I hope my children grow into individuals who carry the best of both worlds within them—the openness of Australia, and the soul of India.
REEMA MAISNAM
To pass on our Indian values and traditions to our children, we try to involve them in as many cultural experiences as possible. We take them to attend cultural functions, which not only helps them see the vibrancy of our community but also makes them feel a part of something bigger. During Indian festivals, we celebrate together as a family and make sure to explain the significance behind each celebration—whether it’s Diwali, Holi, or Durga Puja—so they understand the deeper meaning and not just the rituals.
We also read mythology books with them to introduce and help them understand Hinduism in a fun and engaging way. During pujas at home, we encourage them to join in, even in small ways like doing ‘Jai Jai’ to Bhagwan ji, so they grow up with a sense of reverence and connection. We also teach them to respect their elders, and one of the ways we do this is by encouraging them to take blessings from their grandparents by touching their feet—a gesture that holds so much meaning in our culture.
Teaching them our languages has been a bit tricky, especially since my husband and I usually communicate in English at home. Still, I try to introduce a few words and phrases in Manipuri and Hindi during our conversations. I also encourage them to watch some Hindi shows on TV, which helps them hear and pick up the language in a more natural way.
Being a mother in a multicultural country like Australia has made me realise how much I still have to learn. It gives me confidence when I talk to other mothers from different backgrounds—I’ve learned how important it is to appreciate our children’s efforts and encourage them even when they make mistakes. Back in my own childhood, things were often seen as either right or wrong. But here, in Australia, children are nurtured with appreciation and positive reinforcement, and that’s something I deeply admire about this country.
Motherhood has taught me to carry that same spirit into my own parenting—to appreciate the little things, to encourage my children and also to be kinder and more understanding toward myself. In the end, it’s not just about passing on traditions, but also about growing and evolving together as a family.
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4️⃣Indian-Australian mums share their multicultural parenting journeys: Paromita, Minolata, Sunalini & Reema.🧡Balancing traditions with Aussie life through language, food & festivals. "Motherhood evolves across cultures." #TheIndianSun @indira_laisram
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