Work-life balance is tough

Rose Kwena, Chief Manager- Corporate Communications at Retirement Benefits Authority.

Balancing work and family is a challenge I have encountered throughout my career. When I was building my career, I was globe-trotting and I missed many milestones of my son’s life. One day, I was in town and he invited me to his parent/teacher conference which I promised to attend. But work came calling and I forgot about it until the next day when he looked at me sadly and reminded me that I missed the appointment! I was so guilty and I promised it would never happen again. But in his little voice, he told me not to worry because I was not like other mums. I asked him how other mums were, and he replied: “They are always there.” That day, I made the decision to leave that job and move to one that did not require extensive travel. Whereas it is important to invest in quality househelp, a parent’s role cannot be delegated because children will always notice when a parent is absent. The “lap of honour” at parenthood has given me a second chance to make up for some of the mistakes I made.