ActiveWomenSG

Living in Singapore as a foreigner usually means no nearby family help — mine is a 13-hour flight away. Thankfully, we build our own village here. For us, that includes school, friends, and our amazing tita, who’s been with us since my eldest was one month old.

When baby #3 arrived, I had my mom visiting and our tita at home — two extra sets of hands. But then my mom flew back, our tita had to travel, and my husband was busy with work. I was officially on my own with three kids. Gulp.

Day 1 went okay. We stayed longer at school to keep the mess out of the house (smart, right?). Dinner was prepped already, so I only had to manage showers and bedtime. The girls said, “Don’t worry, Mom — we’ll shower ourselves.” Sweet! Until I found them “cleaning” the bathroom walls with half a shampoo bottle and two washcloths. Not quite the hygiene goal, but hey — they were clean(ish).

Day 2: I dared to cook solo. Fish in the oven, baby feeding, girls in the shower again. I reminded them: “No shampoo cleaning, just bodies!”
Ten minutes later: girls emerge soaked, heads full of bubbles.
“We’re not playing, Mommy! We’re just cleaning our hair. Look how soft it is!”
Cue eye-roll… and then smoke.

Yep — I’d forgotten the fish. Smoke filled the kitchen. I put the baby down, ran to open windows, turned off the oven… then slipped on the wet floor, landed on my bum, and heard giggles. I was angry first — then laughing with them. Because, well… motherhood.

The next day, I made something that didn’t involve an oven. Gave the girls just a tiny bit of shampoo. Fed the baby in the carrier while stirring dinner. New skill unlocked: hands-free parenting!

Was it perfect? No. Did I cry? Almost. Did I survive? Yes — and no fires. Small wins, big laughs.