Work after Kids

If there is one thing that can completely impact a woman’s career, it is motherhood. There’s no denying that once you become a mum, your priorities change and this can affect your career. There’s a lot to think of, from maternity leaves to figuring out how to juggle both work and new mummy life when returning to work. It’s a constant struggle, and every woman’s motherhood journey is different but the concern is mostly the same: How do I fulfil both roles as a mother and a career woman?

For a glimpse of how life changes as a new mother, we speak to our very own Emilia Ezra, Senior Public Relations & Events at GRADUAN®.

#1 How has your day-to-day changed?
So much! I can't do most of the things I used to do before becoming a mother, like having my "me-time" to scroll or update my social media, taking my time to shower or religiously follow through with my skincare routine. I can't remember the last time I actually got to do body scrubs, use a facial mask or got myself a pedicure! Now it's all about work and my daughter. If you ask about my free time, it's about catching up on sleep.

#2 Does being a mum teach you any skills that you can use in the workplace?
Definitely, like multi-tasking. I never knew I could do so many things with just one hand! Imagine what I can do with two. I also do a lot of mental notes so my memory is better. Juggling work and mummy errands at once, I don't really have the time to sit down and make my list. So the fastest way to do it is by mentally making notes and checking things off. Other than that, patience. Raising a kid has made me more aware of my emotional state. I've been working on improving my emotional intelligence as having a high EQ is one of the skills required to be a successful leader.

#3 How do you balance work and kids?
I aim for a clear time boundary for my work and family. How I achieve work-life balance is by using my 9-to-5 at work to get everything done so I don’t have to bring work home or work over the weekend. After-working hours and the weekends will always be for me and my family.

#4 What advice would you give to a new mother or mum-to-be?
Being a mother gives you so much joy. I never thought that having a kid was the one thing I've been missing my entire life. My favourite time of the day is when I come home to my kid and see her wide grin. She just makes everything better. Kids make your bad days seem not bad at all.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers out there!

Photo by Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash