Motherhood First: Marina Reijnders Gouris on Family, Balance, and What Truly Matters
Mother’s Day is a celebration of strength, love, and the unique journey of motherhood. Recently, we spoke with Marina Reijnders Gouris, partner of Dutch international Tijjani Reijnders and devoted mother to their son, Xavién. Marina radiates determination and warmth — embracing her role as a mother with heart and grace. In this exclusive interview, she opens up about how motherhood has transformed her mindset, the joys of family life, and the balance between her own ambitions and supporting her partner’s football career.
Cherishing the Small Moments
For Marina, true happiness comes from simple, meaningful moments.
“I genuinely feel happiest when I spend time with my family and friends. Those are the moments I truly cherish,” she shares. “I also enjoy shopping and, of course, looking forward to a holiday always lifts my spirits. Honestly, I have so many small moments of happiness that it’s hard to choose just one.”
A New Perspective on Life
Motherhood, she explains, brought an entirely new outlook.
“Motherhood has really given me a new perspective on life. I think many parents can relate. You might worry about little things, but now that I’m a mother, I often think afterwards, ‘What was I even worried about back then?’”
Her priority is now clear: “The most important thing is that my child is healthy and happy. Everything else suddenly seems less important.”
Marina beautifully describes the grounding effect her son has: “I come home, haven’t seen him for a while, and immediately think, ‘This is what matters.’ As Tijjani says, ‘Your day can be awful, but as soon as you see your child again, you forget it all.’ And that’s really true. Everything falls into place.”
Finding Balance as a Mother and Partner
Balancing personal ambitions with motherhood and life alongside a professional footballer isn’t always easy. Marina is honest about the challenges: “It is a challenge, I’ll admit that. I have my own ambitions, but motherhood is now truly my focus. We moved abroad for Tijjani’s career, which was already a big change.”
Still, she’s found clarity and gratitude: “We have a balance that works for us. Right now, we focus on his career, and afterwards it will be my turn to pursue my goals. The time I get to spend with my son now feels like a special gift, and I’m extremely grateful for it.”
A Celebration of Motherhood
Marina’s story is a beautiful reminder that motherhood is a journey of love, perspective, and resilience. As she enjoys every moment with Xavién, she embodies the grace and strength that so many mothers bring to their families — on Mother’s Day and every day.
Curious to hear more from the Reijnders family? Сheck our interview with Tijjani, where he opens up about style, fashion, and a few unforgettable wardrobe regrets — “When I see what I was wearing, I ask my wife how she ever let me walk around like that.”
Ready for more?
This is just one side of Marina’s story — a story of motherhood, balance, and quiet strength. In Part 2, she opens up about life in Milan, her ambitions, and how, in collaboration with GASSAN, jewellery became a true expression of her identity. Subscribe to our newsletter so you don’t miss it. Coming soon!
