Mom of 13 Says Her Kids Make Her Feel Most Special

Maria El Khoury's dining table is never quiet, and that's exactly how she wanted it.

The 47-year-old Australian mom has 13 children. Seven girls and six boys fill her home with laughter, conversation, and the kind of beautiful chaos that comes with a big family. Her oldest is 22, her youngest just four.

"Before I got married, I said I wanted the dining table to be full," Maria told SBS Arabic. That simple wish has become her daily reality, and she wouldn't change a thing.

Maria doesn't call herself a super mom. She sees herself as simply doing what every mother does, just with triple the workload. The experience has given her a profound appreciation for her own mother, understanding now the weight and tenderness that motherhood carries.

"I bless my mum every day. I always apologize to her," Maria said. "Now that I'm a mother, I understand."

Her children see her differently than she sees herself. They describe their mom as strong, patient, selfless and caring. Her son Joseph calls her a role model who shapes who you are from birth until death.

"If I was to become a mother, I would aspire to be like mine," said her daughter Joelene, who admires her mother's resilience and selfless nature.

Sunny's Take

Maria admits raising 13 kids brings emotional challenges. When one child needs her during illness or hospital stays, she feels guilty about not being physically present for the younger ones. But she's certain of one truth that guides everything: her love for all thirteen is equal, unwavering, and shared wholeheartedly among them.

The El Khoury home reflects what Maria believes deeply. The bigger the family, the bigger the love. Every milestone, every shared meal, and every small moment becomes richer when experienced together.

As Mother's Day approaches, Maria finds herself most grateful for the daily gift of seeing each of her children happy and thriving. That full dining table she dreamed of isn't just about the number of chairs filled. It's about the love that overflows from each one.