One day, this won’t feel this special anymore 😭🤍
Nothing prepares you for the heartbreak of missing a “𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁.” 🥹
The truth about milestones?
Once you miss the first… it is never quite the same again.
No matter if it’s your first baby, second, third… or more.
Every child is different.
Every milestone feels different.
But somehow, the “firsts” always hit the hardest.
Their first smile.
First word.
First unassisted steps.
And as working parents, one painful truth we quietly carry is this:
Sometimes their first happens when we are not there.
Maybe while we are at work.
During shift hours.
In childcare.
With grandparents or helpers.
And while we are thankful someone was there to witness it… a small part of our heart still aches wishing it was us.
Wishing we were the one cheering.
The one clapping.
The one present.
But this is the dilemma so many parents face today.
We want to provide.
We 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 to work.
Especially in Singapore, where many households depend on dual incomes just to keep up with everyday expenses.
And for careers like healthcare, frontline, service industries… there’s no “work from home” option.
Presence is needed at work.
Even though many companies talk about work-life balance, the reality can feel different.
In Singapore, work-life balance remains one of the top things employees want from employers, yet flexibility still isn’t always accessible for every industry.
So the question becomes:
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤… 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭?
That question changed everything for me.
I knew I didn’t want to spend years missing milestone after milestone without at least trying to create another option.
So I started building something on the side during pockets of time.
A digital hustle that works around my busy schedule as a working mom.
Not overnight success.
Not replacing income immediately.
But a 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐁.
Something flexible enough to build while still juggling motherhood, work, and family life.
Because maybe the answer isn’t choosing between career OR family.
Maybe it’s slowly building a future where we don’t have to miss so much. 🤍
#ThingsToDo #MyFreeTime #RealTalk #motherhoodjourney #sidehustle
Missing a child's first milestones is an experience that many working parents deeply empathize with, especially when careers offer little flexibility. From my own journey, I've found that acknowledging the feelings of regret and longing for those 'firsts'—like the first smile, word, or steps—is a vital part of moving forward. It’s important to give ourselves grace and recognize that providing for our families often requires sacrifices. One powerful approach I discovered was developing a side hustle that integrates seamlessly with my busy schedule. Whether building an online business, freelancing, or pursuing digital content creation, these flexible opportunities create a Plan B for parents who want to be both present and financially supportive. It doesn’t happen overnight, but small, consistent efforts during pockets of free time add up. In regions like Singapore, where dual incomes are often essential, and industries like healthcare and frontline work lack remote options, finding balance remains a real challenge. Companies may promote work-life balance, but practical flexibility isn't always accessible. Thus, building a personal, adaptable income source can provide emotional comfort and more control over your time. Additionally, involving other caregivers—whether grandparents, helpers, or childcare providers—can alleviate guilt by ensuring your child’s development is supported, even when you can’t witness every special moment. Sharing milestones with loved ones and capturing moments through photos or videos can help bridge the distance. Ultimately, the journey is about redefining success not just by career achievements but by being emotionally available and creating a future where missing these precious firsts becomes less frequent. Every small step counts, and by embracing both work and family commitments with flexibility and creativity, working parents can craft a life that honors both.
