POCATELLO — Esther VanWart, a local mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, recently reflected on her life and experiences as a mom and offered advice to any newcomers to motherhood in honor of Mother’s Day.

VanWart said she has eight children, 32 grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another on the way. Her children are all in various stages of their lives — some are older and some are in early adulthood.

“My oldest is 50 and my youngest is 23,” she said.

VanWart said her favorite memory of her children is when they all found a way to earn money to buy her a Mother’s Day card or other gift.

“They went to mow lawns to earn money to get me a Mother’s Day card or Mother’s Day basket with the money they earned,” she said. “They worked hard, and they each did that.”

VanWart said her most challenging moment as a mother was a period of time when she was a single mother. She said she had six children at the time and had just gone through a divorce.

“I had six children and I had to work three jobs,” she said. “Having to support them by myself was very difficult.”

VanWart said what made it difficult to take care of her children by herself during that time was knowing that it was up to her to make sure that all their needs were being met.

“Knowing that they were dependent on me, just on me, was hard,” she said.

VanWart said her most rewarding experience as a mother was when she became a grandmother. She said her grandchildren have always showed her unconditional love.

“They are sweet,” she said. “They will call me every day.”

VanWart said one of her grandsons in particular makes sure to call her every night.

“He calls, and we talk,” she said. “We say prayers every night. They’re just understanding. There’s no judgement. They love us unconditionally.”

VanWart said the best advice she can give to new mothers is to make sure that their children know that they are loved.

“Tell them that you love them all the time,” she said.

VanWart said that it’s also important to remember that while having children is a challenge, it is still worth it.

“Remember that it’s quite a blessing to have children,” she said. “And it’s quite a responsibility.”

VanWart said her family always make time to visit her at the Brookdale assisted living center where she is a resident. She said some have to travel great distances, but they still make an effort to see her often.

“Some live in St. George, Utah, and some live in Oregon,” she said. “They make it out here to see me.”