Monrovia – Liberia’s Second Lady, Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung, has urged women of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to be steadfast in building a professional life while fulfilling the duties of a loving and caring mother.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) – [email protected]
The wife of Vice President Jeremiah Koung made the statement on Thursday at the MFDP Professional Women Association Mother’s Day celebration held at the Ministry of Finance.
Madam Koung disclosed that often, when a woman is beautifully dressed, with what seems like a blissful marriage, a picture-perfect child, and an amazing career, people wonder how she manages to balance it all.
“Such a woman might make everything seem easy, but we all know it is not. The truth is, it is not easy to balance the two. In fact, it is close to impossible. It’s only because we are human. However, each of you has been a great mother, wife, and professional woman because you have proven that you are up for the challenge,” Madam Koung said.
She added: “Pouring into your kids and career is tough but guess what; you are the woman for the job. I am calling all mothers in this room and mothers out there to not forget our focus, which is our family. I know we are strong and we are doing well, but we can do so much more. Thank you all and Happy Mother’s Day.”
Madam Koung, speaking to the women, gave five tips on how to build a professional life and serve as a mother.
“I will be sharing with you a few helpful tips that will guide you through your journey,” she said.
Madam Koung advised the women not to try to do everything on their own. Rather, they should choose what matters most at a particular time.
“Accept your limits, don’t try to be a superwoman and attend every event at work or every program at your kid’s school. You don’t have to do it all. In fact, you can’t,” the Liberian Second Lady urged.
She stressed that women should let go of what she terms as mom guilt. According to her, mom guilt is a tough feeling to deal with.
Madam Koung added: “No matter where you are, you feel like you should be somewhere else. For example, when you miss your child’s program at school because of a meeting at work or when you don’t attend the meeting because of your child’s program.”
She continued: “Mom guilt makes us believe that when we are at home, we should be at work, and when we are at work, we should be at home, and this makes us feel miserable. Keep your mind and body in the same place or else you will miss out on the beauty of life.”
She added that women should make time for their spouse. Madam Koung further emphasized that before being a mom or a professional woman, they were first called a wife.
“Women often flip the two, putting their kids or work before their spouses. Be the woman your husband fell in love with. Maintain your beauty. Be his biggest support system. Create a date night and find small and quick ways to connect throughout the day. Give him responsibilities and make a teammate,” she said.
She also encouraged the women to make time to rest. According to her, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep per night, but working mothers need even more. She wants them to make sleep or relaxation time a priority for themselves and their kids.
“Wake up before your kids, even if it is just 15 minutes earlier. Why? Because alone time is essential for feeling balanced, and as a busy mom, it might be the only time you get a day. When you wake up early, it helps you start your day as you pray, concentrate, and plan. Get a coffee or a workout. Make separate time for your work and kids,” she stressed.
Lastly, she urged the women to get help. Madam Koung says no one can do it alone, adding that working moms are no exceptions.
“Stop playing the hero. Getting help doesn’t make you look weak; it means you are human. Find creative ways to share your responsibilities and lighten your loads,” she said.
She stressed that asking family members to help, trying online grocery shopping, hiring a babysitter, asking your older kids and spouse to help, and getting a contact person at school are beneficial.
“What does it benefit us mothers if we work so hard at our professional jobs and lose our children? Who are we raising to benefit from our labor? Dear mothers, it will be a sad story if we are successful and don’t have responsible children to maintain what we have built,” she added.