This column features unedited advice from experts and professionals, or first-hand accounts and experiences shared from people who have lived the life and walked the talk.
Unedited Experiences & Accounts
Unedited - Sharon Wong celebrate a quarter century of Motherswork
Sharon Wong
As Motherswork celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, founder and chief executive officer of Motherswork Sharon Wong opens up about what it’s been like and what it has taken for her to head the well-known brand for a quarter of a century.
Speaking about the anniversary, the mother-of-three says, “This year, my fourth baby turns 25! Motherswork celebrates 25 years of supporting mothers in Singapore and 10 years in China.
In this Unedited column, Sharon talks about what she has put into the brand, her journey as an entrepreneur and mother, and the successes and challenges she faced along the way.
Unedited: Life as a parent of a child with Down syndrome
Aaron Lee
As we celebrate World Down Syndrome Day, Motherswork speaks to home baker and founder of Upcakes Aaron Lee, whose seven-year-old son Andrew has Down syndrome.
Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21.
Inspired by his son’s love of food, Andrew and his wife Elaine, started home-bakery Upcakes in 2020 (www.up cakes.sg). He wanted to start a business that not only allowed him to spend more time with his son (as kids with Down syndrome can become more dependent as they get older) but would also be something sustainable that could be passed on to him in the future.While his wife focuses on her full-time dentistry job, Aaron, a former chemical engineer, bakes the cakes and handles Upcakes’ day-to-day operations.
Unedited: Parenting a child with autism
Ivan Lim
In celebration of Autism Awareness Month, Motherswork speaks to editorial director Ivan Lim, who’s 17-year-old son Alex is autistic.
Though Alex finds it difficult to speak to people he is unfamiliar with, the talented teen uses canvas and paint to communicate.
His mother Cara, who is an artist, coaches Alex in his art. He has also learnt various classical techniques from art teachers in Singapore and Germany. The visual arts student has already had several exhibitions and his art can also be viewed online at www.unskilledboy.com. His newest paintings will be exhibited in the Shaping Hearts Arts Festival from November.
Mother's Day Special: Interview With Jaelle Ang
In light of Mother's Day Celebrations this May 2024. We had a fruitful interview with the lovely Jaelle Ang! Read this article to see her replies with our quick fire questions!
My parenting style is :
Three words to describe my motherhood journey are: Love, Growth, Surrender
Did you always want to have a big family? And why?
I must confess, the idea of having a big family initially seemed daunting to me.
Mother's Day Special: Interview With Joanne Lin Teo
May is all about celebrating our Mothers.
Starting off this week with lovely mom of all trades, Joanne Lin Teo
Here's a sneak peak of our interview with her.
What's your parenting style like?
My parenting style is: Work Hard Play Hard.
Three words to describe my motherhood journey are: Fulfilling, Amazing and Rewarding
1. Did you always want to have a big family? And why?
Yes, I have always wanted more than 1 kid in the family because I grew up with my other 5 siblings in the family. Though they are much older than me, I guess its more of the companionship and the perpetual playdate that you could have all the time.
Read more...
Mother's Day Special: Interview With Tania Boh
My parenting style is :
Three words to describe my motherhood journey are:
Love, Joy, Fatigue 😝
1. Did you always want to have a big family? And why? Yes. I am the eldest of four kids so I am used to a big family.
2. Are there any fears you have as a mom of multiple children.
Yes, that I will not be able to spend enough time with each of them.
That we won’t have enough money or resources to allow our kids to pursue their interests.
.3. If you are working, tell us how you juggle that with your family life, and what a day in your life looks like. And if you're a sahm, tell us about what you used to do before you made the switch, and what your day typically looks like.
My last job was a sales role in a pharmaceutical company, I was out driving to the different GPs selling products the whole day from 830 am - 630 pm.
Mother's Day Special: Interview With Sujatha Ramachandra
My parenting style is :
I adopt an open consultative approach.
I have high expectations for my children and of them.
I believe that if we do not hold high expectations, it makes it hard for our children to aspire to be their best. Our children look to us to set goals and targets and as they grow, they learn to set their own targets, which is the eventual objective.
Unedited: 10 Things Every Father Should Teach His Daughter
A father and daughter relationship plays a crucial role in the emotional development of a girl, shaping her self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. It also helps to establish a strong sense of security and a positive view of men and relationships in the future.
Unedited Advice from Experts
Tips on How Not to Kill your Spouse After Kids
Dr. Annabelle Chow, Clinical Psychologist
With all the stresses life throws at you, the last thing you want is to be at your partner’s throat. It seems almost impossible to balance your household, job, and family. Then there are the biological changes; hormonal changes, physical and emotional recovery after childbirth, and along with that the changes to your sleep patterns having children causes. Not forgetting the emotionally draining, time-consuming, job of raising your children! All of this influences your thinking patterns and contributes to the way you interact in your relationships.
Establishing realistic boundaries and expectations with your partner can help carve a map in the journey that is your relationship.
Here are some tips to keep you from tearing your spouse’s head off!
Getting your sexy back after kids
Dr. Martha Tara Lee, Clinical Sexologis
At the end of the day, once you’ve fed, washed, played with, and put your children to bed, it’s likely that you and your spouse are ready for some rest yourselves. And after a long evening of cleaning up dirty fingers, settling tantrums, and wrestling little bodies to get them to brush their teeth, chances are you just want to sleep rather than do anything else in bed.
A marriage changes dramatically when kids are introduced and it usually takes more effort to keep romance in the picture. It can be tough to make time for your spouse when most of your energy goes towards keeping your children alive.
Yet romance, intimacy, and sexual wellness shouldn’t be neglected in a healthy marriage.
Dr. Martha Tara Lee, relationship counselor and clinical sexologist, says sexual wellness is an important part of our overall health and wellbeing.