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What does Elena Bondarevich, a participant of the Republican beauty contest among women with many children, dream of

Elena Bondarevich from Polotsk will take part in the final stage of the IV Republican beauty contest among women with many children "Beauty of Belarus", which will be held in Minsk in October.

The day before, we met with Elena Leonidovna, a wonderful mother of three sons, a biology teacher at Secondary School No14 named after M.S. Grinevich and just a charming woman, found out how she was among the finalists and asked to tell about herself, share her vision of the modern family and the role that a woman is assigned in it.

– What does it mean to you to be a mother of many children?

"For many generations of our family, having many children is the norm and lifestyle. My great-grandmothers, grandmothers, and my mother had large families. The tradition was continued by me and my cousin, who also has three children. On the one hand, this is not an easy daily, minute-by-minute work, and on the other hand, it is a great happiness. Give life, and then see how an independent personality grows, in which you recognize your traits. To give your love and receive incomparably more in return. Each child is happiness, and for me it is multiplied by three.

— You are not only a mother, but also a woman who has achieved success in the profession...

"I'm a teacher. I have dreamed of this profession since childhood. As long as I can remember, I played school: I taught lessons for my peers, filled out journals, gave grades... She received her higher education at the Vitebsk State University named after P.M. Masherov. She came to work at Secondary School No14 in 2009, while still a fifth-year student. There were breaks related to maternity leave, but now I am back at school. And, looking back at the path I have traveled, I clearly realize that I made my choice correctly.

At all times, the profession of a teacher has been respected and necessary. I am convinced that it should not only give knowledge, but also be an example for everyone and in everything. We live in a peripheral, not the most prosperous neighborhood of the city, so I remain a teacher when I leave school. Not only with comments, but also with advice, and just heart-to-heart conversations, I try to help teenagers, who, unfortunately, do not always have enough attention from their parents.

— Tell us about your family.

"There are three sons in our family: 14-year-old Salen, 3.5-year-old Ivan and 1.5-year-old Foma. Salen is already in the eighth grade, growing up as a wonderful guy, responsible, understanding. Here's a recent example: His friends went for a walk downtown. I ask why he is not with them. He says: "What if I leave, you, mom, need my help, and I won't be around?" I am sure that in the future, when he will have his own family, he will be able to transfer the best qualities to it.

The younger sons are still small, but each is already a personality. It can be very difficult to take into account everyone's interests and preferences in, say, food. But I try very hard, although sometimes each of my men has to cook a separate dish.

– Does your husband support you?

"Without this, it would be simply impossible to cope with all the tasks. He is my reliable shoulder, he helps in everything. Next to him, I can afford to be a little weak and just relax. This is very important.

"Being a mother of many children is a permanent job that does not know days off. Do you find at least a little time for yourself?

"In order to be in good shape, I do fitness. Physical activity allows you to maintain vitality. And for the soul... I'll reveal a little secret. My grandmother was very good at reading cards and taught me something. I'm sure you shouldn't fully trust fortune-telling, but sometimes my friends ask me to lay out the tarot cards. Of course, predictions do not determine our lives – only we can choose our own path and take actions – but sometimes, from a purely psychological point of view, they give us confidence and "prompt" us to take the next step.

I also like to do needlework. Together with the younger sons, we make crafts. And I create exclusive Christmas tree decorations, different for each year. My mother decorates the Christmas tree only with them.

— Do you have family traditions?

— Of course. First of all, children's parties. Boys are always waiting for them. And also, at least once a year, in the summer, we go out with our families to nature. When brothers and sisters gather with children, there are a lot of us. You can feel how important it is to have so many relatives. And you especially understand the value of the family – it is it that will always support, share both joy and sorrow. And the larger the family, the more reliable the support and the stronger the self-confidence. This is the obvious advantage of having many children.

"Unfortunately, the attitude towards large families in society is not always positive.

"There is a stereotype that large families have a low financial status. It should be admitted that in some cases it has a basis. But not all families raising three or more children adhere to a dependent position. Yes, the state provides us with significant support, but in order to raise self-confident, self-sufficient citizens of the country, the family itself must make significant efforts, in particular, to provide for all its needs. That is why having many children is a very big responsibility.

– How did you get to the competition? What stages did you go through before being in the finals?

"I learned about the competition from a recommendation on my Instagram. I followed the link, read the conditions and filled out the questionnaire. I was invited to the 1st stage of selection, and then to the 2nd, where an interview was held with the organizers, jury members and winners of previous competitions.

– What challenges await in the finals?

"Mothers are about love and kindness. Therefore, I decided to hold a master class, presenting our school charity project "Mitten of Kindness", aimed at supporting children with disabilities. In the creative competition, I will read my poem dedicated to my mother, whom I love very much and whom I am infinitely proud of. It will be accompanied by a video presentation. And I, like all the finalists, will have to go on stage in national images. I hope everything will work out.

– What is the competition for you?

"This is, first of all, the popularization of motherhood and family values. And also - new acquaintances, communication with like-minded women and an unforgettable minute of glory in honor of each of the mothers of many children. Of course, I am worried, but I will do my best to represent the Polotsk region with dignity.

– What are you dreaming about?

"The main thing is that my boys grow up healthy, that everything works out for them in life, that they are truly happy.

And for myself personally... So that sometimes there is an opportunity to put life on pause, just sit in silence, drink a cup of coffee with marshmallows. And then - with renewed vigor to plunge into the usual whirlwind of maternal worries, endless, but very loved.

88 applications were submitted for participation in the competition. 18 reached the final mothers with many children from different parts of elarus. The main selection criteria were the positive experience of motherhood, active civic and life positions, good external data, the ability to resent oneself, openness.