[ad_1]
SINGAPORE – This year’s Mother’s Day had special meaning for first-time mother Tam Xiang Ying as she celebrated the occasion on Sunday (May 10) with her own mother and daughter by her side.
For two months, the 32-year-old woman had a dilemma: quitting a job she likes at the People’s Association or staying home to care for her firstborn.
Then, in July of last year, her mother stepped in and ended her fight. Mrs. Lim Bee Wah, 56, quit her 14-year job at a logistics company to help raise Faye, her first grandchild, who turned one last Friday.
“I loved my job. But I love my family more,” Madam Lim told The Straits Times in Mandarin over the weekend.
Ms. Tam added that the meal with her mother was not only a delight, but also an occasion to reflect on her mother’s sacrifice.
“It reminded me that I always have to make time for the family because the work can wait, the family cannot.”
Her struggle to strike a balance between being a mother and holding a full-time job peaked in July last year, two months after Faye’s birth.
As deputy district director at Bukit Timah Community Club, where she has been serving residents for seven years, she tends to work long hours and also on weekends. Her husband, an event photographer, also works unpredictable hours, and often on weekends.
Therefore, a child care center for her daughter was not an option. Also, as a new mother, she doubted whether to leave her son alone with a domestic worker or a relative.
“I was wondering if I should stay home for a year,” he said.
Witnessing her dilemma, Madame Lim made the unexpected decision and resigned, surprising her boss and colleagues.
She said, “I wanted my daughter to be able to focus while working and not worry about her baby at home.
“He has a good job that he likes and must focus on advancing his career when he is young. It will be better for his future.”
Madam Lim added with a smile: “I’m glad I’m not too old and I can still help. In fact, I feel younger now as Faye brings back memories of my happy moments with my daughter as a child.”
Tam said she is especially grateful for her mother’s help in the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Her daily work, which exposes her to many residents, has added risks. Additionally, he sometimes works until midnight due to additional tasks such as distributing face masks and hand sanitizers and explaining the circuit breaker measures to residents.
“When I leave, Faye is not awake, and when I return, she is already asleep. It is sad, but I have learned to deal with it.”
“More importantly, I have the peace of mind knowing that it is in the hands of someone I trust.”
[ad_2]
