AFTER HOURS
My husband and I make it a point to enjoy a date night every week”
Louise Karim is managing director of Mums@ Work, the first community in the region created to support mums returning to the workplace after a break. Having lived in the UAE for over eight years, Louise led the creation of a number of digital agency departments before building the Mums@Work business. She is wellversed in the challenges of balancing a busy career with being a mum to the two boys she shares with husband Samy — Hamdan, 3 years old, and Harith, 18 months old. While she certainly has her hands full, Louise says she doesn’t see her work as ‘work’ — but as a challenge to change the ways people perceive working mums in the region. Here’s how she works to balance it all.
Staying on top of things
Organisation is key to helping me achieve a work-life balance. Of course, it’s not always possible to keep everyone happy. But I just focus on giving every day my best. If things don’t work out as planned, I don’t criticise myself. I think it’s important to always look for the positives in any situation.
Indulging in no-tech playtime
Dedicating time to my boys on a daily basis is very important to me. During this time, my rule is: no phones or emails, just fun! Whether that involves dressing up as superheroes, gardening, swimming or trips to the beach, there is never a quiet moment with a house full of boys! I also consider us really lucky to have our extended family living in the UAE too. Weekends, therefore, are full of fun times with cousins, grandma and granddad!
Splitting the load
One thing I find hard as a working mum is attending all the nursery events our boys have — especially when they are within working hours. Samy and I make sure that, between the both of us, we always share the commitments and get as involved as possible in the boys’ activities — such as the many birthday parties they get invited to! As the kids grow, no doubt, these extracurricular demands will only increase. There will be times when two working parents can’t make it to events, but that comes with the territory and it’s all about prioritising the right thing for that time. If that happens, I hope to make sure the boys understand why, too.
Going for regular runs
Having a bit of me-time is a mantra I try to live by. Being an avid runner, I love to pop on my running shoes whenever I want to clear my mind. I believe I’m at my most creative and able to develop the best ideas when I’m pounding the pavement! Currently, I’m training for the Dubai Marathon and racking up runs of more than 26km at a stretch. That’s not an easy activity to fit into a busy schedule, but I believe it’s important to have your own personal goals. Of course, having a great support system also goes a long way to achieving this.
Setting up date nights
In the whole balance, I can’t forget my husband, of course! We make it a point to enjoy a weekly date night, which could even be a meal at home, since Samy is quite an aspiring cook. Alternatively, we may choose to visit one of our favourite restaurants around town. Samy and I are both foodies and love trying out new places and cuisines. And, in Dubai, there’s always a great new place to check out.
Jetting out every now and then
Holidaying usually revolves around family, with an annual trip to the UK to see relatives as well as a trip to Europe (Spain or the south of France are favourites!) too. But location doesn’t really matter that much in the end — because it’s about family time. As the boys grow up, I’m sure there will be many more far-flung destinations on the cards, as both Samy and I feel that experiencing different cultures and countries is very important for our children’s upbringing.