Balancing act key to happiness
Mothers share their challenges in juggling work and family life
PETALING JAYA: With Mother’s Day approaching, women are speaking up about the challenges of juggling work and personal life – and also about the joys of motherhood.
Turtle conservationist Dr Chen Pelf Nyok said it is not easy to strike a balance as running a non-profit organisation takes up a lot of her time.
“Working at a non-profit organisation is not just a full-time job, it goes into overtime,” quipped the Turtle Conservation Society co-founder.
Chen said what helped was bringing her eight-year-old daughter along to her conservation projects and engaging her with the cause.
“She usually helps me at the hatchery, gathering the baby turtles and putting them back into the tank.
“Sometimes when we have interns, she will even be the one telling the interns what to do,” she said.
Family support, Chen added, also plays an important role as her husband’s aunt helps out with cooking the meals.
“It takes a village to raise a child,” she said, adding that although she checks on her daughter’s homework, she lets her child enjoy being a kid.
MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong said there will never be a perfect balance between work and life, but it is important to spend time with one’s family.
“What matters most is quality time with family, so I personally commit to spending time with them – without phones,” said the mother of three.
The biggest challenge, she added, is to manage expectations from both work colleagues and loved ones.
“Of course we are trying to give the best of everything to everyone, but in the end, sometimes physically we are just too exhausted and inevitably it will affect our thoughts.
“Without proper mental clarity and rest, it will affect our judgment,” she said, adding that she will take time to review any decision she makes.
Former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said there must be discipline in setting aside time for her responsibilities at work and for her loved ones.
“For a woman, each and every role that we have is important to us.
“We must learn when to prioritise what, though it is never easy to balance all.
“There must be a time for work, for family and for friends.
“We must discharge our duties with love,” said the mother of three, who said good judgment is needed to do so.
Shahrizat, who previously helmed the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, said it was important to focus on one’s family and friends.
“It’s important to invest in the family and friends you love because the returns are priceless. However, this must never come at the expense of work,” she said.