@america Inspiring Woman: Mom In Chief

Last Friday, accompanied by a friend of mine, we went to the @america at Pacific Place, SCBD, to attend a talk. This actually has been a routine for me and my friends to participate in @america events.

If you never heard of @america, quoted from the website, it's actually a U.S. Embassy's American Center located in Jakarta, Indonesia that provides a space for young Indonesians to learn more about the United States and to share ideas about issues that are important to both Americans and Indonesians. They held classes, workshops, talks, to movie screening that's usually free of charge so everyone could come and participate.

This time, we went to a presentation about working moms and their motherhood journey, juggling between career and taking care of the family. I was totally interested since I think every mom has a special story and motherhood is truly not an easy job, moreover to balance it with a career. The speakers came from a Director of Titan Infra Energy and an Ambassador to the United States to Vietnam and moderated by a women activist. The audience was mostly women that's equal to my mom and even my grandma and came from some women clubs in Bogor.

The talk went quite interactive and insightful although I personally think that in terms of the questions asked, there actually were more to explore to get a deeper insight. It's good that the speakers experienced a smooth journey, however, I expected to hear a really hit to the bottom stories and how they deal with it but I was thinking, would there be moms that's that blunt in terms of sharing their journey? Especially with social media where people get judged easily hence people are competing to portray their best journey.

A saying that I really highlighted was, the Diplomom (Diplomat Mom) were asked how did she conquer the guilty feeling of not having enough time with the family. Previously, she shared her career journey on becoming a diplomat. She knew in the first place that her passion was dealing with people and international affairs that after she graduated from an undergraduate degree, she joined a Peaceforce, work with social organizations until she became an ambassador to the U.S.  She answered the guilty feeling will always be present. Other than keeping it balanced between work and home, she said she felt less guilty when she reminded herself that by having a job and following her passion was actually to set an example for her daughters on how ones should not give up on their dreams.

The moderator also pointed out the importance of having a job that supports the needs of working moms, such as special leave and lactation room. She told us in Indonesia more companies are becoming more aware of the special needs, there's one company that provides daycare for their employees so they can work in peace while their children is well taken of. The Director Mom said even in Singapore, the employees were given an extended child care leave in order to allow working parents to spend more quality time with their children and care for them if eligible.

All in all, it's everyone's option and I think no mother should be judged on their decision whether to stay at home or pursuing a career since different families possess different needs, conditions and priorities. The support of other family member is essential since family is actually a team and everyone should play a role and give full support.

That concludes this time's Talk Report of #LevelUpShaula. Do expect more to come so that I could share it to you guys lol and may this benefits all. :)