Our Super Working Mum for the Month of June is Funmilayo Mide-Ajala. She shares with us about juggling life as a mother of one, working from home, and the importance of having “me time”.
Continue reading to find out more about Funmilayo Mide-Ajala as a mum who works from home.
Thanks for letting us into your world, Funmi!
1. Please tell us about yourself?
My name is Funmilayo Mide-Ajala. I live in Lagos, Nigeria. I am married to the love of my life and my bestie – Olumide Ajala.
2. How many children do you have? How old are they?
I have an adorable 3year old son.
3. What do you do for a living?
I work from home as Project Consultant in Customer Research. I also run a virtual/online fashion and accessories store – Hadassahgifts.
4. How do you juggle work and family?
I am blessed to have the opportunity to work from home in Nigeria, that doesn’t happen often in this part of the world. My works mode enables me to still keep an eye on the home front.
However working from home still requires a lot of discipline, you have to know when to start and stop work and resume house chores.
Moreover because I work two jobs literally I have to apportion a set time to both so that I can still achieve my goals. It’s not really an easy venture but I have enormous support from my husband.
5. What do you think of this quote by John Wilmot- “Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories”.
Hmm! I can relate it to myself though. Children are a surprise package you never know what to expect. Before I got married I had done a little babysitting for aunties who had little ones and I thought I knew it all. But enter my son in the scene and I discovered I had a whole lot to learn. First lesson was patience!
6. Do you think a woman can have it all? Please explain
Interesting question! I think a woman can have it all and ‘all’ is relative and personal. It could be that all you want as a woman is a happy home and nothing more and it could mean that all you want is a happy home,plus a blooming business. Yes a woman can have it all. I have it all!
7. Apart from your family- husband and children, what makes you fulfilled?
I owe all of my life to God, I am grateful for the gift of salvation. I could never amount to anything if I did not have Jesus.
8. Please share with us your survival tips for other working mums with young children?
First off, get organized. Before I got married I don’t think I was organised, Of course I did not need to be. After all my life revolved around me! But I have had to imbibe the habit of being organized with my tasks.
Secondly love yourself. Take one day or even half a day to chill out and just do your own thing. Allow someone else to pick up after you. I give myself me time, it could mean I’m off to the movies when my little one is in school or I send him off to grandma. Time out is really needed mums.
I also love shopping, although its part of my job to shop for things I want to sell, I also use that as a remedy to make myself feel good.
9. What does the term Super Working Mum mean to you?
A super working mum is a woman who takes good care of her family and also sees that she has a life to!
10. How can we connect with Funmilayo Mide-Ajala?
I really relate to you, Funmilayo. I work from home. My daughter is 3 also and I get great support from my husband. This interview was also a real encouragement (in addition to July’s FSW). I found it most encouraging to take time for myself. I’m still working on that part of my life.
Thanks Shawn for your comment. good to hear you get support from your husband..