_A Tribute to Moms

Motherhood, they say, is the hardest job and one of the biggest responsibilities in the world.

There's no salary, there's little downtime, and you can't apply for leave when it all gets too much. You can feel on top of the world one minute, and totally worthless the next. You go through a rollercoaster of emotions daily; frustration and anxiety can dominate, amidst happiness, pride, joy, and contentment. And your home becomes the most important classroom for both yourself and your child(ren).

Moms will agree that going home to a second 'work shift' each weekday is one of the most rewarding roles in life. Our kids are our harshest critics but also our biggest and most loyal cheerleaders. As much as we are their whole world, they are such a significant part of ours. And they put life into perspective for us.

Moms in our Singapore and Asia Pacific offices tell it like it is about the highs, the lows and everything in between.

 "The best thing about being a mother is feeling little kicks in your tummy and
then seeing the same little feet running around the house. Nothing beats the
unconditional love that your child has for you, and vice versa. I did not know my
heart had the capacity to love something as much as I love them. My kids make me
see the world through their eyes, enjoying  small wonders and appreciating the little things.
Always be kind and respect other moms. Don’t hesitate to lend a helping hand and offer kindness
and it will come back to you tenfold." — Noratikah Suratman, administrative assistant for the Capital Markets team,
Knight Frank Singapore and mom to Nur Aralyn Alisha (5), Nur Evalyn Eliya (4) and Nur Bima Fahlevi (16 months)

"The best lesson I’ve learnt is that there is no perfect way of parenting – it’s about learning and growing together.
My husband and I are all the better for these mini teachers we have in Harry and Pia.And my best tip for juggling
work and motherhood is setting firm boundaries. I really try hard to be completely present when I’m with my kids, and
I do try and compartmentalise both work and parenting."— Meghann Dalton, Global Service Line Marketing Director, Capital Markets,
Knight Frank Asia Pacific and mom to Harry (4) and Pia (2)

"Aside from the lack of sleep, the hardest thing about being a working mother is the amount of guilt trips that plague me on a daily basis.
Receiving videos of the kids while I am at the office hits hard; I laugh and smile and my spirits are lifted, but these videos are a
wrenching reminder that I am not there with them. I can't dole out hugs and kisses or offer praises, I can only clutch my phone to my chest.
On a brighter note, I try my best to avoid bringing work home so I can be fully present in each moment with the boys. They are my legacy to the world:
kind, good, exemplary humans. " — Michelle Bong Lejtenyi, senior manager, Marketing & Communications,
Knight Frank Singapore and mom to James (5) and Charles (1)

"The biggest lesson I’ve learnt from being a mom is not be too hard on myself as a parent. Parenting is a lifelong journey.
What works for one kid might not (and most likely not) work for the other. We need to be flexible in our approach by finding out what motivates them .
Motherhood is tough. We know we can assume a bigger role and responsibility at work, but moms have no choice but to limit their careers as we need to ensure that we take
care of the emotional needs of our children. With the call for gender equality, people say men can also assume more responsibilities at home
but many times, kids are simply more attached to their moms. Like our husbands, we too have work deliverables but on top of that,
we need to make sure then when the kids need our attention, we are there. It’s a tough balancing act really."
— Eloise Khoo, Director, Global Portfolio Solutions, Knight Frank Asia Pacific and mom to Ryan (7) and Owen (2)

"The best thing about being a mother is the ability to serve as a positive role model.
That is crucial, because children learn behaviours, values, and attitudes from their parents.
While it certainly puts a bit of pressure on us, it is also very rewarding! I've learnt that perfection is subjective
and unattainable. Parenting is a challenging journey, and it's important to recognise that there will be times
when we fall short — and that's perfectly okay. It's also important for us to remember that our job helps our family,
and to focus on spending quality time with our kids. Being kind to ourselves can help lessen the guilt we feel,
making it easier to balance work and family life."
— Annabelle Taylor, Head of Marketing, Communications & Digital, Knight Frank Asia Pacific and mom to Nina (15) and Jack (17)

"What I love most about being a mother to my teenagers is my free-flow supply of hugs, kisses and massages!
Being a mom takes patience, especially with teenagers.  It is not easy, and I make sure I am there for them as they
navigate the pressures of school, relationships, friendships,identity, self-image and so on. Above all, juggling parenthood and careers
is a challenge; my husband and I embrace delegation to make our lives easier. We reinforced the importance of contribution and
empowered the kids at a young age with Magiclean mopping, wiping tables, operating the rice cooker, and simple culinary tasks like
cooking eggs and making toast. They are pros now! Despite this, they forever remain my little toddler babies in my eyes."
— Eileen Tan, Manager, Retail, Knight Frank Singapore and mom to Sarah and Brendan