International Women’s Day: Meet the Moms of Naiise!

1. Amanda Eng (Chief of Marketing & Buying, Naiise)

What is it like juggling work and motherhood?

The days can feel very long.. but the years way too short! Sometimes I get frustrated because kids, being kids, are almost never cooperative, but when I snuggle up to them at night, I know that they will soon grow up and leave my nest so I should enjoy all the time I have with them now! It helps to adopt a completely blank mind when spending time with kids - no work, no phones - to truly be in the moment. And that's something I learned to be quite good at in recent years :)

What does an average day look like for a working mum?

Wake up, mad rush to feed/wash/brush the kids, send #1 to school, drop #2 off at my in law's place OR lug #2 to work (alternate days), work and be grateful for colleagues that help entertain #2 throughout the work day (if necessary), mad rush to pick #1 from school, scramble together some dinner plans, argue with little people over whether they can watch cartoons, cajole little people to sleep, sleep. Whew! (And I think I have it relatively easy already due to the flexible work arrangements we have at Naiise.. my biggest respect to the mamas that have much stricter and busier daily routines!)

What is the most fulfilling moment you’ve had?

What are your dreams and plans for the future?

On a personal level, I hope to continuously grow myself in terms of my career and also discover new hobbies and interests in my spare time. But I also do know that, at least for the next few years, while my little people are still very little, time is scarce and spending time with them will  take priority in some or many instances. Looking forward to reclaiming myself one day though! ^^

What tip and/advice can you share with other working mums? 

I guess I only have advice for moms of young kids so far, which is to hang on in there.. and spend more time with family and friends who can help babysit and give you some breathing room!

2. Joelynn Kwan (Marketing Executive, Design Orchard)

What is it like juggling work and motherhood?

It wasn't easy at first, there’s a rush in the need to juggle work and in the need to get home in time after work to see my kiddo (Kaiser, 1 year old) before he sleeps, or before his school closes. It’s definitely harder when he isn't feeling well, and my priorities become jumbled up and I need to shift them around fast.

What does an average day look like for a working mum?

For me, I would already be up at 6-ish, and 7:30am if I’m lucky, to feed and change my kiddo. I will then shower and freshen up while my hubs gets his school bag ready and sends him to school.

Everything happens fast, so after doing all that, my husband and I will have to rush to work. Even when I’m done with the day, I’d find myself rushing from work to pick him up from school. I’ll feed him, and put him to bed then pray he sleeps through.

In picture: Joelynn and her husband Nadzril

What is the most fulfilling moment you’ve had?

It’s when my kid learns a new skill! Or when he does something silly like put his face right in front of mine when I say "Look at mummy!" I think the little moments can be just as fulfilling.

What are your dreams and plans for the future?

Not much except for Kai to have a better life than us for sure - a healthier environment and a successful future.

In picture: Kaiser bin Mohammad Nadzril and mummy

What tip and/advice can you share with other working mums?

Hang in there! It may be hard especially for new mums, frustrating sometimes, but it really helps to talk it out with your partner or family even. At the end of the day, it’s always worthwhile going back to a smile from your kiddo - comforting even. Jiayou!

3. Syairah Watt (Marketing Executive, Design Orchard)

What is it like juggling work and motherhood? 

The juggle is real, but I couldn’t have done it without my A team – family, friends, amazing pre-school teachers and Naiise. Above and beyond, I'm extremely thankful for my ever-supportive family members and caregiver that has stood behind me since day one, and assisted me through this ‘big change.’

I left my job as a flight stewardess immediately after I’d secured a ground job. I had to go back to square one.  As a first-time mom, I think guilt was in my way of rationalising the fact that I was missing out on mothering, and being absent mainly when the little one was asleep. I think every mom is different, and we have different needs when it comes to the hours we work. I am really grateful for a world-class employer that respects work and life integration.

Oh, I can’t forget the magic of daycare too. I have so much to thank them for! Daycare is an absolute necessity.  It ensures that my little one is adequately cared for while I’m at work and a great opportunity for her to develop new skills through the centre’s activity planning. She gets along with her preschool teachers and peers on an evolving level that’s pretty remarkable to watch.

What does an average day look like for a working mum?

I have an amazing work-life-kid balance. In a perfect world, I’ll wake up at 7 a.m. when my alarm goes off.  I call them ‘Miracle Mornings’. But my world ain’t so perfect. Most days, I’ll hit the snooze button. After two snoozes, I'll use this to get up. I don’t usually have an accomplice to help me with my morning madness. It’s just mommy and daughter. Our mornings are always a bit frazzle dazzle. She is not a morning person, so I’ll have to carry her to school. Girl weighs 33 pounds and it’s a 15-20 minutes walk from my place to her school. Her hair is never neat for school, her uniform is always left unbuttoned, and she takes 5 minutes to choose the ‘perfect pair’ of shoes for school.

The day does get easier. Her grandpa will pick her up from school once he’s done with work, while my mom and sister will help with the rest. I do make an effort to leave work by 7 pm to read her a bedtime story before she goes to bed. Bedtime means me-time and Netflix!

What is the most fulfilling moment you’ve had?

The day I became a mom is the most fulfilling moment. The best part about being a mom is getting to experience on a daily basis all of her successes and setbacks, and just knowing that I will always be there for her. Watching her grow up and seeing her eyes light up with every new discovery is the best thing in the world. She also has the most contagious laughs. When I hear her giggle, all is suddenly well.


What are your dreams and plans for the future?

I wish for her to live in a world that isn’t cruel and one that won’t slowly dissolve around her. I wish for her to keep her sweet disposition and intellectually inquisitive mind. I wish for her to have the confidence to always know her self worth and the energy to chase her dreams. 

I want her to know this: I might be far from a perfect mom, but I hope to teach you how to fly to the best I could, and I hope you know somebody loves you.


What tip and/advice can you share with other working mums?

As moms, there are so many decisions we have to make on our parenthood journey. All moms raise their kids differently, but ultimately, all of us want our children to be happy.  We're all different, and everyone has a different ideology of parenthood. Always remember that the happiest moms don't compare and compete. Because your kids don't want a perfect mom, they just want a happy one.

4. Julynn Tay (General Manager, Design Orchard)

What is it like juggling work and motherhood?

Life is made up of various commitments, and it’s all about prioritising them at different junctures. Some days work may take precedence, some days family may come first, but at the end of the day, everything will work out if you have good teammates to cover you up at work as well as family members to help out at home. It’s all about the right balance! If there was no one to help me, this balance would never have been possible!

What does an average day look like for a working mum?

Hmmm...I will wake up in the middle of the night to feed my 4-month-old girl, go back sleep. I will then wake up at 7-ish to get my 2-year-old boy ready for school and prepare my girl as well. I will send my girl to my mum’s place before sending my son to school then head off to work. After work, I will rush back home, bathe and feed my girl, put her to bed, and then bathe my son, read and sing to him before putting him to bed. After that, it’s dinner and couples time with my hubby!

Tell us about your kids!

What can I say? All mummies will think their kids are the cutest, greatest and smartest! I am no different!

What is the most fulfilling moment you’ve had?

It was when I became a mummy! And when I found my life’s purpose to nurture both my kids to grow up with all the right values and be kind-hearted and know when to do the right things. Daily fulfilment is when both of them have a fun-filled day, drink and eat well, sleep well and say “I love you, Mummy” with a hug and a kiss!

What are your dreams and plans for the future?

All I want is for my kids to grow up kind, healthy and happy and spend lots of family time together!

What tip and/advice can you share with other working mums?

Parenting is never a solo affair, so get surrounded with as much support as possible. Be involved, and be open to help from others too!