Sandy Riccio On Motherhood: 'It Redefined Me As A Person, A Woman, And A Friend'

Motherhood is evolving, taking on new meanings and roles as times change.

We see mothers redefining motherhood in various ways—whether by staying home, working full-time, freelancing, or running businesses. We see mothers pursuing passion and hobbies. We see mothers juggling personal interests while actively parenting–caring for family, playing with their children, and keeping up with daily activities. 

But how do mothers do it all? At a Sparkle GMA Artist Center event, we met a mom who has crafted her own unique approach to motherhood. Sandy Riccio, a 30-year-old mother of one, shared with Smart Parenting, “Oh, it’s an experience! If anything, it’s such a transformative roller coaster journey with so many beautiful ups and downs. Motherhood redefined me as a person, and most especially, as a woman and a friend. Every moment has taught me something new.”

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Sandy, a professional photographer, content creator, sports and fitness enthusiast, and single mom, shared with us how she does it all. 

“I won’t lie—there are definitely days when it all feels overwhelming. Balancing work, hobbies, content creation, motherhood, and being a friend and a sister, can be a LOT,” Sandy admitted.

Sandy is a part of Sparkle’s official digital arm, Status, a network of content creators that includes the Blackman Family, Chef Ylyt, and Doc Yappy. Despite her busy schedule, Sandy carries herself with calm confidence, rarely showing signs of being overwhelmed. She shares what helps her maintain this attitude, “What I’ve found that has helped me cope is when I take time to center myself. Whether it’s a quick workout or a short three-minute meditation.”

She added, “I find that even a few minutes of mindful breathing can make a big difference. It has helped me calm down, regain focus, and prioritize what needs to be done first."

Prioritizing What Matters

Aside from taking a few minutes for herself, Sandy has also learned to prioritize, “I’ve learned to distinguish between the non-negotiable tasks that require my immediate attention and the things that can wait until the end of the day.”

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Yet, like many moms, Sandy admits she’s fallen into the “I can do everything” trap–an experience that has taught her an important lesson.

“The biggest challenge I’ve faced is pushing myself too hard without getting the rest I need. When I overextend myself, my body eventually shuts down, which is why I’ve learned to prioritize rest,” she said.

She continues, “I don’t go out as much because I know that staying healthy is essential. My health is my top priority because, without a strong immune system, I won’t be able to juggle everything I need to get done — work, take care of my son, and manage everything else in my life.”

Sandy also shared a relatable lesson, adding, “I’ve realized that I shouldn’t feel guilty about taking care of myself, because moms, or anyone for that matter, needs to be at her best to do it all effectively.”

A Strong Support System

When asked how she does it all, Sandy was quick to credit her mother, “My Mom.”

“Having a strong female support system has been incredibly important for me,” she shared, describing her close bond with her mom and sisters. 

“I’m definitely a ‘girls’ girl’—I admire women so much and the way we juggle so many things with grace and strength. Being surrounded by other amazing women who lift each other up is empowering. It’s a beautiful reminder that we thrive when we support one another. It’s a comforting feeling to know you’re surrounded by genuine souls who inspire and help you grow as a person, mother, and friend.” 

Because of her close relationship with her mom and sisters, Sandy tries to use this as her anchor in her motherhood, “I find myself reflecting the strength and wisdom of the incredible women who have influenced my life growing up. In turn, I try to pass those values and lessons on to my child, shaping him with the love and guidance I’ve received myself.”

Sandy also acknowledges her son’s father, “We’re in a co-parenting set-up! I’m lucky with that. He helps out with my kid's study and development, which in turn, keeps me more motivated on my goals as a person and mother.”

Encouragement for Other Moms

It’s not easy to be a mom, and it is not easy to juggle everything while being a mom. When asked what’s her advice for working moms, Sandy’s message was encouraging, “My advice is just do it. You’re doing it because of them. It’s for them. And if they get a bright future because of that, it’s all thanks to what you are doing right now. It will be amazing, no matter how you feel right now. The future you would be proud of you, working for your kids.”

On co-parenting, Sandy said, “Separately we can do more, but co-parenting together, we can be more for our son.  It doesn’t matter if it’s in a different shape and form, in my perspective, we’re still a complete set of family.”

She also encourages other moms, “Just take it one day at a time. Find beauty in the small, everyday moments. When you learn to appreciate the little things, life becomes so much more fulfilling.”

“If you live with love and gratitude, that energy radiates outwards, attracting the right people and helping you discover more about yourself along the way. Life is always flowing and changing, and there’s something incredibly beautiful in embracing that journey. I find that focusing on the beautiful blessings we already have, ignites the blessings we have yet to receive. And it’s always a good note to put your chin up, at 30, I can say that life has really only just begun.”

Need inspiration? Here are stories of Pinay moms who pursued their dreams while doing motherhood.