Raising 12 children would be a challenge for most, but for Lois Weeks it was not an issue. She had a job to do - keep her family together.

Today, Mrs. Weeks is being honoured as the Physical Abuse Centre's mother of the year during its celebration of the International Day of The Family for her commitment to parenting and her role as "mother" not only to her children, but to those in the neighbourhood as well.

The 76-year-old Pembroke resident, whose children are now aged 32 to 57, still keeps busy as the officer manager of P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Anonymous, located on Mount Hill. Mrs. Weeks, who has 12 siblings herself, laughed as she recalled how people are always amazed that she had twelve children - something she did not plan.

"There wasn't much television those days so we had to find our own entertainment," she said.

"I was married twice. With my first husband I had six children. There was a three year gap between the first two and then the next four came one year after the other." After being divorced, she said she had no intentions of having any more children, especially since her second husband had four of his own when they married.

"We said that we would think about having maybe one together, but that would be it. But each year, more kept coming."

The grandmother of 35 fondly remembered discovering she was pregnant for the twelfth time.

"I had surgery on my leg, but kept throwing up after the anaesthesia wore off. My doctor was concerned and ordered an x-ray. He later informed me that it revealed I was pregnant. My youngest, Joelene, came along eight months later."

The busy mother said having so many children meant there was rarely a quiet moment in the home, even when her children were not there. "I always called my house 'the neighbour house'.

"One day, I came home and sensed that someone was there. I called out and our next door neighbour's son said: 'It's only me getting some bread'.

"I didn't mind. My door was always open."

She said that raising her children, with the help of her second husband, took great sacrifice.

"I worked at Gibbons Company for 30 years. Thank the Lord I had an understanding boss, Shirley Jackson. He used to allow me to go home to cook and feed them, then I'd return to work extended hours."

She said for the four years she was a single mother, she sometimes worked an additional job to provide the basics for her brood - the one regret she has, reflecting on those years.

"Thankfully, my mother lived with me at the time and she was always there for my children but if I was to do it again, I don't think I would have taken the second job. The time lost is too valuable and can never be replaced." Her second daughter, Sherrell Woods, saw it differently. "Mommy worked two jobs, but she gave us so much love that her working didn't matter. We received so much love we never realised that we didn't have much money."

For years she made the children's clothes herself and cut her sons' hair in order to pinch pennies. "One of my sons asked me to stop because I kept putting patches in his head," she said, laughing.

Although it was hard at times, Mrs. Weeks said she always found time to give each of them individual attention.

"As a child, one of my sons stammered. I spent many hours working with him, although I still had to take care of the rest of the children. When he overcame it, I was very proud of him."

She said her commitment to God helped to her conquer the times when she felt like giving up. "When I put things in God's hands, I knew that He would not lead me astray."

What advice would she give to mothers today?

"Take your problems to God and He will work them out. Don't let your children control you. Spend quality time with them and love them. But most of all, be a parent. Carry out the role that God has given you." These words are good ones to follow as none of her children have ever had a brush with the law. They all lead productive lives.

They recognise the sacrifices she made and sixth child, Norma Smith, summed it up best: "Thank you, mommy."