Being a mother is a full-time job – there’s no question about it. That’s why here at Ritzy, we’re celebrating all the mums who balance life, family and work. After all, it’s no easy feat. Read on to learn about four Wonder Mamas making it work in Hong Kong.
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Smita More, Ayurvedic Practitioner, Energy Medicine Healer, and Life Mentor
Smita More uses natural, time-tested energy healing and other natural therapy to help people with their health problems. She also provides alternative and complementary therapies, such as Marama therapy, Yoga therapy, Energy healing, alternative med, acupressure, rejuvenation exercise, and zen meditation. She focuses on an individual’s body, mind, and spirit.
Smita married at the age of 21 and moved to Hong Kong to marry her husband, eventually having three kids. She doesn’t consider herself a Super Mama. “I am just a mama who lets her child be what they want to be. I always encourage my children to study what they want to study and become what they want to become, as it is their life and you only live once,” she says.
When her kids were newborns to 12 years old, Smita made sure to give them a lot of love and care. From 12 to 18 years old, she gave them learning and wisdom. After turning 18, she made sure that they worked independently on their own journeys. “And after that, they would have developed independence and would know how to live their life.”
She acknowledges that her healing work is time-consuming, she uses her own personality self-belief, and strong willpower to balance work and family.
Her three top tips for mamas juggling family, life, and a business are Passion, Love, and Commitment.
Gigi Ng, Founder of Momomi
Since a young age, Gigi Ng has had an abundance of ideas on how to start her own business. After she became a parent, she found it very difficult to find playmats which were functional and at the same time matched her contemporary home design style. In the end, she took the idea of traditional Japanese tatami mats and redesigned them into a new generation of decoration for her living space – from there, the brand Momomi was born.
An entrepreneur and a mother, Gigi sets a time schedule for herself and the kids to achieve a work-life balance. “Instead of playing with them but being distracted with my phone in my hand, replying to emails, I prefer to work for a set time period (say the whole morning) and arrange some activities for my kids to do on their own,” she explains. “Then for the next time period (say the afternoon time), I will spend time with the kids for high-quality mother-and-child time with my full attention.”
If she could have any superpower, Gigi would have a ‘Magic Energy Button’. She explains: ” Mums are always physically and emotionally tired with both kids and work. If I had this button, I would press it when I feel exhausted, and then my whole body and mind would instantly power up! Ding!”
Marsha Yuan, Miss Hong Kong and Actress
Marsha Yuan is a Hong Kong actress who, aside from her profession, also stayed active through teaching yoga and pole dancing.
When she first had her son, Marsha spent a lot of time with him – but once he settled into a routine past the newborn stage, she found herself able to spend time on her projects again. She was able to pick up her TV shows, which she had put on pause, as well as do Zoom calls and even write with her friends.
The most challenging period of time for Marsha was when her son was five to nine months old, when he had trouble establishing a sleeping routine. “Anytime he cried, I would go straight to him… and I think he got used to that. At some point, I had to say ‘stop’!” She says. She also recounts when she spent 21 days in quarantine with him – just her and the baby, with no outside help. “Once I got out of quarantine, I realised I had to sleep-train him.”
Marsha’s top tips for mothers include getting enough sleep so that you’re fresh enough to think and work; finding a balance and having your own time to work, exercise and eat right; and making sure your husband is hands-on. “Marry the right person to have a baby with!” She laughs.
Vera Lui, Sex Educator
Vera Lui is a Sex Educator based in Hong Kong, whose aim is to normalise the topic of sex in the city with positive education and empowerment. She is also the co-founder of Sally’s Toy and Women’s Festival Hong Kong.
Running three professions in addition to being a full-time mother of two is no easy feat for Vera. In the beginning, she struggled to find a balance between work and her family, but now, she makes sure to put her whole heart into her business when she is working, and into her family when she is spending time with them.
One of the most challenging times as a mother for the educator was when she went through post-partum depression. “My emotions were like a rollercoaster!” She says. Finally, she went to see a counsellor who started her on her journey of healing.
Vera’s top tips for mothers juggling a business and family life are to be patient with yourself and people around you; be compassionate, especially to yourself; and be vulnerable – you don’t always have to be strong, as vulnerability makes you more relatable and makes you express your emotions in an authentic way.
