Having Imogen home is Mother’s Day magic

The Daily Telegraph’s Mum of the Year Christie Rea says having five kids can be a whirlwind but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Daily Telegraph’s Mum of the Year Christie Rea says having five kids can be a whirlwind but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It is a really rich experience being a mum, it is very rewarding, I just love my kids,” she said.

“Each of them has quite a different personality — we’re all from the same family but they’re very unique, they have different interests.”

Christie and Brad Rea with their daughter Imogen, 16 months, who is undergoing chemotherapy. Picture: David Swift

Christie Rea with Imogen (on her lap) and her four other daughters (from left) Catya, Mischa, Breanna and Summer 9. Picture: David Swift

Life has become more challenging to say the least after her youngest daughter Imogen was diagnosed with congenital glioblastoma multiforme Grade 4 — a rare cancer normally found in adults — at just two weeks of age.

Ms Rea spent most of 2020 living with Imogen at the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle as she underwent cancer treatment.

This week she will begin administering maintenance chemotherapy to 17-month-old Imogen at home.

Ms Rea pwith Imogen at 14-months and Catya. Picture: Toby Zerna

She says the secret to being a good mum was having a special relationship with each of her children.

“They each have different things they find challenging and different strengths, that means the way I ­interact and relate to each of them is unique,” she said.

And does she have a favourite child?

“Definitely not, they’re all just different, I love them all equally,” she said.

Mother’s Day will be breakfast in bed followed by a round of mini golf, her husband Bradley said.

He is in awe of the way his wife connected with his five daughters, especially when she only saw them for 20 minutes a day while she spent last year in hospital to help baby Imogen.

“They would share all of their worries and concerns and she would listen and make them feel special,” he said.

“She has a prayer with them every time they go to bed.

“The children are her life, she just loves kids and they love her.”