Three Bags Full

Congratulations on your pregnancy! How has it been for you so far?
It’s honestly been the toughest out of my three pregnancies because I now also have to juggle with a lot physically and mentally, between two toddlers, my studies, and preparations to launch a new business.

That said, I’m looking forward to a new parenting experience with my daughter—hopefully more chill than with my two boys (laughs)—and watching the kids grow up together.

As a soon-to-be parent of three, do you worry about how you’ll allocate time and attention equally to each child?
For sure! Especially with my second child, who’s a lot more independent than his brother, I’m definitely concerned that he won’t receive enough attention. But both my husband and I are also one of three siblings, so it’s something we’ve discussed extensively and we’ll try our best to make sure that he’s always included.

How do you like to spend time as a family?
My sons are now attending preschool, so we have a picnic in our car boot after school everyday.

Of course, spending so much time with the children can be overwhelming sometimes, so it’s super important for my husband and I to spend alone time with each other. Since we both work from home, we have lunch together everyday while the boys are in school.

Tell us about your latest business and academic ventures.
I started a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wellness brand called Jing Botanics with a friend during the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ve been working on our first product, a hair serum manufactured in South Korea, that we’re hoping to finally launch at the end of this year after I give birth.

I also enrolled in an online Psychology Degree programme this year; it’s something I’ve always been interested in. My plan is to finish my Honours in four years, then pursue my Masters for another two years, before opening my own practice as a clinical psychologist, whilst working on Jing Botanics.

What spurred the move to become self-employed?
I used to be in banking for about eight years because I thought it was a glamorous career that could earn me the most money. Looking back, it was honestly a waste of time and I should’ve left earlier.

After I had my first son, I decided to take a step back from the corporate world as I started to value work flexibility a lot more so that I could be with my kids.

How do you practise self-care?
Wah, the max I do now is take a shower, I can’t even be bothered to moisturise sometimes! (laughs) That’s something I’m trying to work on because it’s important to take care of myself so that I can be the best mum for my kids, but I just don’t have the time. I really have to make a conscious effort to carve out time for myself.

Hazel was previously seen here, here, and here.