Supermom Kristine "Tin" Chua, a self-confessed overachiever, was a sales manager of multi-national company P&G for almost 9 years where she managed top supermarket chains in Metro Manila and South Luzon. When she felt that her work and mom goals were no longer aligned, she courageously left the corporate world.
Tin, 34, now devotes herself to being a mother, homemaker, wife, and supportive business partner to her husband Jon. And despite not having a nanny to take care of their children, the both of them are recognized as one of the best in their business!
Tell us about your kids!
My kids bring life to our home. They're smart, wonderfully unique, and strongly attached to each other.
- Janna, 8, is an impressive big sister. She likes having things in order and takes initiative to assist me in managing our home. She is a very responsible and conscientious daughter at home and in school.
- Kirsten, 6, is very affectionate, thoughtful, and playful. She's also very artistic and creative. She loves family gatherings and leading her siblings in play.
- Tyler, 3, is a studious baby boy who taught himself how to read at the age of 2. He is very focused and interested in the alphabet and different word categories. He introduced me to an animal that starts with U, called an Urial (a kind of sheep -ed.)!
What’s your secret to being a supermom?
There is power in letting go and keeping things in perspective. There are days that the floors won't get mopped, but for as long as the kids are bathed, it's still a victory!
What’s your me-time?
Cutting through the clutter is relaxing for me. I feel a sense of satisfaction when I see a table get cleared up or a shelf get straightened out. I've never really said that publicly, and I sound nuts!
READ: One mom thinks that "a dirty house" points to lazy parents
Your most heartwarming mom moment:
Mornings that start out with hugs from my kids always tug at my heartstrings. But the journals and essays they write and draw in school that show how they are very happy and grateful to be loved and cared for by their Mommy, always leaves my love tank overflowing.
Your funniest mom moment:
Conversations with my kids are always the funniest. Like when my daughter was so shocked when I told her we were having Baby Back Ribs, because she thought we were going to eat a baby! Or when my toddler compliments me with a quip like: "That's a fantastic idea, Mommy!"
Click next to read about what makes Kristine proud and how she handled challenges she faced as a mom!
What’s your proudest moment as a mom?
I have so many! I'm proudest when my babies achieve something they have worked for independently and when they make decisions borne out of love for family. Janna and Kirsten are academic achievers who self-study, while Tyler taught himself how to read at the age of 2.
My kids don't like being separated from each other. When Kirsten was moving up to the big school and was making a choice between the afternoon session with all her preschool classmates or the morning session so she can go to school with Janna, she told me that she'll miss her classmates but she'll be going to the morning class with Janna because, "Family is more important." When we travel, they always look out for each other.
Did you turn out to be the parent you wanted to or thought you would be?
I have always wanted to be there when my babies wake up, to be the first person my kids share how their day was with, to be able to bring and fetch them from school, to be able to be there for any help they need. These are important mom-goals I am able to achieve and enjoy everyday because of the choices my husband, Jon, and I have made to pursue business instead of our careers.
But I'm still a work in progress, no doubt. I've always been worried about turning out to be a parent I did NOT want to be, knowing myself to be an impatient perfectionist with a strong compulsion to have everything in order. I constantly have to remind myself to focus on the experiences that matter more.
What about motherhood has surprised you? How has it changed you?
Motherhood has been about pushing my limits. Pushing my limits of sleep, patience, tolerance for mess, losing control, and sanity. But it's also about pushing the limits of my capacity to love unconditionally. Motherhood has definitely changed me and challenged me to grow as a person.
What parenting issue are you dealing with right now and what you are doing about it?
Our babies' nanny for the last 6 years had to go on permanent "grandma-ternity leave" in 2014 (she had to take care of her grandchildren when her son became an overseas Filipino worker). For the last 2 years, a nanny that will equal her in capability and trustworthiness has been elusive. I had to do all the household chores and child-rearing, and in between, get food on the table, shuttle them to and from school, and get the home straightened up.
I spent the time with my kids on multitask-mode. I learned to let go and share the load. I learned to involve my children in the household tasks and to give them responsibilities that they can manage independently and with minimal supervision, like setting the table, washing the dishes, sweeping the floor, and packing away their toys.
They've become more independent after this experience. I've also learned to outsource major chores like general cleaning and ironing the clothes. Five months ago, we were fortunate to find someone who can efficiently and effectively do the household work, and I am now able to focus more on the kids.
What unique aspect of Pinoy/Asian parenting have you found to be the most helpful in raising your child/children?
Having strong ties with our extended families have helped us raise our children more confidently. The support and love from our parents have helped us greatly, moreso during the times we didn't have a nanny.
READ: 7 Perks of having Lolo & Lola babysitters
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