Adriana Lima’s grandmother lived to be 106, and her infectiously positive outlook on life still shapes the way Adriana approaches motherhood today. “She always told us there are two things you cannot change—death and bad health. Everything else we can work around.” It’s a reminder that most things in life are figure-out-able and that every day with the people you love is something to be grateful for.

Growing up, Adriana looked to the women before her for that perspective. These days, she laughs that some of her most important updates come from the next generation. Her teenage daughters, Valentina and Sienna, keep her in the loop on what’s cool—from music and shopping to the creams she should be trying next. They’re her cultural translators in many ways. But even as they grow up, she still catches glimpses of the little girls they once were—like the moment she tried to stay on the first day of school and was politely told she could go home because everything was “fine.” A proud moment, but also the first quiet realization every parent eventually faces: they’re not your baby anymore.

Below, we spoke with Adriana—alongside Valentina and Sienna—about raising teenagers, trusting your instincts as a parent, and what motherhood has taught her over the years—from navigating sleepless nights and scary moments like preeclampsia to learning that every child arrives with their own personality. Photos by Paris Mumpower. Words by AnaMaria Glavan.

The biggest thing in my head right now is thinking, “What am I going to do when the factory closes?” 

When I started modeling, my parents actually took me to an agency because I was so shy. They wanted me to loosen up a little. I went to a modeling school to learn how to pose and talk to the camera. I remember being there and being terrified. Not that I don’t love my job, but I was so shy. I was like, “Oh my God, how am I going to do this?” I was shy everywhere—not just with friends, but with family too. I don’t know why I was like that. I lived in my own world. But I think it helped bring me out of that world and share more, because I can be very creative too, so that helped me a lot.

In my family, I’m the oldest in my generation, so there weren’t many children around when I was growing up. I didn’t have much experience with kids. When I was expecting, I was very nervous. I thought, “How am I going to do this?”

I was thinking about everything, mostly how I’m going to read the needs of my baby. I think that’s the number one thing every mother wonders: how am I going to read the needs of my baby? That was my main concern. And I’m going to be honest here. I never thought I was going to be a mom. Not that I didn’t think it was something beautiful; it’s just that I never really thought about it. But I have to say, motherhood—from expecting to having the baby and becoming a mom—is the most incredible experience from the beginning until now.

When you have a baby, the second that baby is born, instincts kick in automatically. All of a sudden you know how to do things. Even when the baby is a few hours old, you know how to hold your baby. It’s automatic. It’s nature and instinct. You start hearing different tones, smelling, noticing everything. My hearing felt like it became ten times stronger. You sleep, but you don’t. You’re always in alert mode. Always. 

It’s really such an incredible experience. Today I have teenagers next to me, and my youngest is three years old. The biggest thing in my head right now is thinking, “What am I going to do when the factory closes?” Because it’s such an amazing feeling and experience that I don’t want it to end. I want more and more. I’m blessed.

Patience is truly the most important virtue.  —xo, anyone with a teenager 

My favorite thing about raising teenagers is that they keep me young. I learn everything from them. They update me on everything—news, creams, shopping, music especially. The most challenging thing for me is having patience.

Because, oh my God, those hormones are going crazy. I’m sure it’s hard for them too. In our household, it’s like four hormonal changes in one house, so you have to be extra patient. It’s not easy. But we’re doing it and we’re going through it.

And hormonal changes during pregnancy are not easy. I think a mom needs a lot of support and understanding from dads, family, and everyone around her. That’s the key to making the journey easier and more stress-free. Because if you feel stress, the child will feel that stress too, and you don’t want that. For some moms, they’re going through so many changes in their body, and it’s not easy. Everything can hurt. 

For me, everything was hurting, and I was sick all day long. It wasn’t just morning sickness, it was all-day sickness until the minute I gave birth. So it wasn’t easy, and having patience from the people around you—dealing with feeling bad and not sleeping many nights—is very helpful.

I remember with Valentina, I had preeclampsia during her pregnancy and had to have an emergency delivery. I went in for a checkup and my blood pressure was crazy, and they wouldn’t let me leave. They said, “You have to stay. You cannot go.” I had nothing with me and my family wasn’t there. They were traveling because we weren’t expecting it. I was like, “What? Right now?” I was feeling horrible. The delivery wasn’t easy, but she was born perfect, thank God.

As a baby she had many problems with her digestion and stomach. We had a lot of gastro visits. She was in a lot of pain and you could see it in her face. The only thing that worked was putting her in a car seat to sleep. I know you’re not supposed to do that, but it was the only thing that worked for her. I would stay up all night watching her.

People told me, “No, you should do this, you should do this.” I tried following the advice but it wasn’t the right thing. Then my heart said, “You’re going to do what you feel is right.” I made that decision, and I was right. Since then I trust what my heart as a mom tells me to do.

Sticky Bits with Adriana Lima

What's a secret you want to reveal about motherhood?

I think every day is a secret, because motherhood doesn’t come with a manual and every day you’re learning something. You go minute by minute, and as a mom you work a lot with your instincts from day one. So it’s a secret even for us. We find out on the go.

Is there something you tell other women when they’re pregnant?

Honestly, they usually find out everything before me. They tell me. They’re very aware—they know everything that’s going on. Usually I find things out through them.

What part of your childhood felt magical?

Everything felt magical because I grew up surrounded by strong women. My mom is amazing, and my mother’s mom was incredible. She was the matriarch of the family. She kept everyone together and united—I don’t know how she did it. I never saw her upset or angry. She was always calm, always smiling, even when problems came.

I remember she would respond with a smile and say, “Ah, that’s nothing.” Not because it wasn’t real, but because sometimes in life we make problems out of things that aren’t that important.

She always told us there are two things you cannot change—death and bad health. Everything else we can work around. As long as we are together, we have each other, we are family, and we can support each other. You’re not alone. We will work it out. So don’t make problems. Everything is good.

She had so many great things she taught me. She was incredible. She lived a very long time, by the way. She passed away two years ago. She was 106.

Motherhood is:

Unconditional love. The love that you can't explain, like, only you have to live through it, and it's the most beautiful and magical feeling that I have in my life. 

Who's in your dream mom group chat? 

Okay, guys. Don't laugh, it’s a bit religious. Okay? I wish I could talk to Virgin Mary. The mother. 

Motherhood in three emojis.

Adriana: Oh my God, emojis? Really? You guys are doing that to me? Okay… I would choose three hearts. One white, one blue—like Cyan—and one red. Three hearts. One for each of my kids.

Valentina: Who’s the white heart?

Adriana: Sienna.

Valentina: And I’m red?

Adriana: Yes, you’re red. And the blue one is Cyan.

If you had to choose one superpower to help with mothering, what would it be? 

Just one? I need many. Okay. First of all, I don't wanna be tired ever. Especially when your babies are small, you don't get that much sleep. And I wish I could be 24/7 with them. It’s hard—maybe if you have one it’s possible, but when you have more, it’s not. I just want to make sure that they’re okay. And if I could have the power to take any pain—whatever pain they could have in life, even if it's physical, emotional, whatever it is—and bring it to me, I would. Every day I pray that they will be happy for the rest of their lives.

What’s your perfect day with your daughters?

Every day is a perfect day when I’m with them. I’m always learning something—about them and about myself. Having kids is very humbling. It grounds you every day.

Sometimes the scariest thing for me is when I see their attitude—good or bad—and I recognize myself in them. I’m like, Oh my God. It’s like, “My kid is crazy.” But it’s good. You learn a lot every day.