All of us, idols, dream of having a happy family. A happy family that you can be with for the rest of your life and who will be there for you during your struggles and problems. This dream is shared by many, especially by women, idols, who dream of marrying a man who will understand and accept all their dislikes and desires. Someone who will be considerate and compassionate when going through tough times—especially when it’s about family problems.

We all know, idols, that building a family is not easy. Yes, idols, it is joyful in the beginning. The first days and years of being together are full of happiness—especially when the first child comes, which strengthens the relationship as husband and wife.

But as time goes by, idols, and more children come into the picture, this is when the real challenges and tests begin. Sometimes, problems arise in the family, especially when more children mean increasing needs—needs that sometimes the father is unable to provide for. And this becomes the root of the worries of the mother, who stays at home to take care of the children and manage the household.

Aside from financial struggles, idols, emotional trials also begin to affect the marriage. Misunderstandings arise, just like what happened in this particular family. Because of the overwhelming problems the woman faced, she could no longer bear it—especially as she was believed to be suffering from postpartum depression.

We can see, idols, that the woman had a small child. And she experienced postpartum depression—a condition many people, especially men, do not understand. Pregnancy, idols, is a unique and intense experience for a woman. Beyond physical changes, caring for and giving birth to a new life can trigger a whirlwind of emotions and reactions. While many women are joyful during pregnancy and motherhood, not all feel this way.

According to studies, idols, women are at higher risk of developing depression. This condition greatly affects one’s mood, thoughts, and daily life. There are different types of depression that a woman may experience—and one of them is postpartum depression.

It’s possible that this woman, idols, suffered from postpartum depression. And on top of that, she was dealing with family problems—suspicions about her husband’s actions, and tensions with her in-laws. All these combined pressures overwhelmed her and led her to do something unimaginable—something no one expected a mother to do to her own children.

Because of the weight of her problems, idols, the mother burned her three children—and then herself. Many of you might be asking: if she really loved her children, why didn’t she just end her own life? Why did she have to involve her kids?

But through this explanation, idols, we may begin to understand why the mother took her children with her. At first glance, it’s hard to comprehend such a painful decision. Many judge, ask, and wonder: why include the children? Why not just end her own suffering? But behind it all is a story of deep exhaustion, hopelessness, and a love that was willing to give even its last breath.

Every day, idols, she carried the weight of the world. A mother without a partner, with no one she could trust or depend on. She only received ₱2,400 a month as allowance for her three children. That’s a monthly amount, idols—not nearly enough for food, milk, medicine, and other essentials.

She had three children and many needs to meet. Meanwhile, the mother, who was already physically and emotionally unwell, couldn’t even afford to treat her own health issues—while her husband, a policeman, seemed to be slowly drifting away in presence and attention from their family.

Every day, she faced the harsh reality of poverty, exhaustion, and loneliness. She brought her children everywhere—the market, the hospital—because she had no one else to leave them with. She was always sleep-deprived, her eyes had dark circles, and even when she was hungry, she made sure her children ate first.

She bore everything—until one day, she couldn’t anymore.

For some, idols, her decision was wrong, selfish, and painful. But in the eyes of a mother who loved deeply and saw no safe future for her children, it was a desperate act—to protect them from more pain, hunger, and abandonment.

In her heart, idols, perhaps she believed it was better that they all rest together—rather than leave her children behind in a world where no one would love them the way she did. Maybe she thought, “I’m the only one who can truly take care of my children. If I leave them, who will make sure they won’t suffer, be neglected, or be hurt?”

And in her exhausted mind, idols, maybe she believed that in the afterlife, there would be no sleepless nights, no more trying to stretch ₱2,500, no more hunger or tears. Only peace awaited.

We don’t have to accept what she did, idols. But perhaps we can learn to understand her. Because behind her quiet embrace of her children in their final moment was a mother who loved until the very end. A mother who tried to give everything—even when she had nothing left to give.

In the eyes of God, idols, what the mother did was not right. But her actions came from a place we cannot judge—because we all face different battles. Her decision may have been her way of sparing them from the continued suffering they had endured.

What about you, idols—what do you think about what happened? What is your opinion? And what advice can you give to mothers going through depression?