Why I do what I do

First, people ask me what I do. I gave birth to a beautiful boy in March 2002 and have been breastfeeding him ever since. My whole world revolves around my new young family. Gave up my banking/ corporate finance career (at least for now) to invest my time and attention on raising our son. I set up an ecommerce website to cater to the needs of breastfeeding mothers, and am concurrently running another network marketing business.

My typical work day involves waking up next to our son, kissing his soft cheek, smelling his hair (if you're not a parent yourself, I trust you think I'm either crazy or totally gross!) while I let him continue to sleep in sweet slumber. Then I sip my morning tea, head on to my office (at home!!) in the next room, check my email for orders, schedule deliveries and mail runs, plan my lunch menu (I plan only when I'm hungry. This way, I'm more focused and my menu ideas just start flowing in faster). Oh, did I say, our son would be awake by this time, I greet him good morning, laugh at his gravity-defying David Beckham sexy hairdo, and settle him for breakfast. Then when I'm through with the tasks from MotherNeeds, I switch over to my network marketing business. I make phone calls to my friends, catch up with them, schedule meetups over coffee or lunch. All within the comfort of home, with our son coming into my office periodically to play Choo-Choo-Train or draw his favorite Big Aeroplane. (in the picture above, he came in to my office to sip my juice, then was very content and went happily out of the room again)

Why I do it

I don't see a point in having a child and missing out on all his golden moments, his first smile, first step, first utter of "mama". I mean, what's the point if you're not going to be with them? If I were to switch my banking career to another line, preferably one with more family oriented working hours, I'd have to start lower, since it's something new. I still find it difficult to conform to the Singapore norm of ferrying a sleepy or sleeping child to my in-laws for childcare early in the morning, before bidding a tearful/gloomy farewell to my sleeping beauty, and heading to an inflexible 9-to-6 job if I'm lucky and don't do overtime. And coming to my in-laws' for dinner and short play time with the babe during his remaining limited wakeful hours, before driving with the babe home again, knowing we'll have to do the drill all over again the next day. Though I must say, it's usually the lucky Singaporean who has parents or parents-in-law who are willing to take on the responsibility of childcare while they work to bring in the cash.

I prefer to raise my child with my values, in other words...my way. It was just more appropriate to be investing my time and energy on our son during his formative years. Afterall, isn't that what all childcare centres emphasize when it comes to quality care during their most important formative years. Honestly, if we ask ourselves this: if my boss lets me work flexi hours, allowing me to go to the office whenever I please, as long as I ensure the job gets done, wouldn't we rather be spending it with your children at home? If your answer is yes, then what are you waiting for? Talk to your boss about your plans. How would you know it wouldn't work out unless you've tried asking? And if you agree with me that our presence and quality attention play a crucial role in our children's lives, it's time for you to reassess your priorities in life.

Take charge of your life. I used to plan my pregnancy around my work. I actually planned it around an offsite training that was promised to me by my employer, but guess what? The company decided to cut costs and cancelled the training they had promised me. I felt like a total idiot, I knew then that my priorities were all wrong. I mean, really, what's more important? A child that will fill our lives with joy and stick by us for the rest of our lives? Or a temporary career opportunity that may seem "golden" right now? Moral of my story: Fit your work around your family, not the other way around. That's what I'm doing now. It may sound unconventional or even naïve, but isn't our child worth the try? Sure, I make it sound easy because I don't work for anyone, I run my own business. I'm not saying it's easy in the beginning, but I do say It Can Be Done. I took the plunge. And so can you, if you put your heart and mind to it.

I straightened my priorities. Family comes first. When you've gotten your priorities clear, it helps you stay focused. I chose to do businesses with low startup costs and risks, because afterall I am using my savings to get it started. I wanted a business that can let me spend time with our son. I chose it because it is a legacy I can build and eventually hand over to my children. My ultimate goal is to achieve financial freedom, while tending to my child's needs, knowing that I'll be there whenever he needs me. Anytime of any day. Not only when they're ill and require me to take a day off from work, if I had chosen the "career" path back in the work force.

If my story has touched you in any way, do yourself a favor. Take time to think of what matters most. Explore the options available to you. My choice was network marketing. Of course it's not the only solution for your needs. But if this option can help me achieve my goal, what's stopping you from looking at it? From the day we've become mothers. It's no longer about us. Whatever we do, we do it for our children. If you have a question for me or a story to share, feel free to contact me. I hope my story has contributed to your life in a positive manner. I wish you all the best in parenting and many fruitful years with your family!