Is It Just Me, or Are Moms Always the Last on Their Own To-Do List? 😬

Cuti sekolah dah habis, and the kiddos are back to school for another 2 weeks before cuti penggal akhir. Yay? Maybe. But honestly, after the nine-day "holiday chaos," I'm kinda enjoying this unexpected break. You see, I'm planning a little "me time" before the madness of another school year begins.

Except, not really. 

Sebab Yusuf, my youngest; decided to remind me how "Mom Guilt" is a real thing. You see, Yusuf ni a manja sikit. Well to be frank, all my kids are manja termasuk abang-abangnya. Cuma dia yang bongsu, so maybe a lil bit lebih sikit and lately, he’s been throwing me that “I’m-just-a-baby” attitude, complete with silent treatments and moody faces. Imagine trying to layan that sambil driving to Desaru.

Road Trip: Durian, Silent Treatment, and Mom Guilt

We started the day with high hopes. Desaru was the plam; a quick road trip to pick up Rambutan Assam Boi from a friend and maybe get Yusuf’s mood up. But noooooo, this boy decided to sulk the entire car ride. Apparently, it’s my fault for letting him spend the whole day yesterday glued to his tablet.

Today? No tablet = "Ibu, you ruined my life" vibes. #iykyk

By lunchtime, his mood improved (thank you, nasi goreng seafood and mee wantan!). And over lunch, I asked him a big question:

“Yusuf, excited tak nak naik Darjah 1?”

His eyes lit up. “Yusuf excited!” And just like that, my sulky little dude was back to being my cheerful baby boy. Then, the highlight of the day: a durian feast! 🤤 Yes, musim durian, and no, abang-abang dia tak makan durian—more for us!)

Midlife Reflections: Is It Time for a Change?

As I watched him happily eat his durian, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of time. My boys are growing up so fast. And me? I’m way pass my prime age, standing at this crossroads of wanting to do more for my family and battling the ever-present financial worries and future.

But here’s the thing: I don’t want to look back one day and regret not prioritizing what truly matters. And let’s be real—you can’t pour from an empty cup. So, I’m planning to take a leap, prioritize myself a little more, and trust Allah SWT dah tentukan rezeki masing-masing.

Why Moms Need "Me Time"

Look, I get it.

Taking time for yourself feels selfish, especially when you’ve got kids to think about. Fact is if you’re running on empty, you’re not doing anyone any favors. Not your kids, not your partner, and definitely not yourself.

Here’s my plan for 2025 (and maybe you can steal some ideas too):

1. Say Yes to "No" - Learn to say no to things that don’t serve you or your family. No guilt, no explanation needed.
2. Mini Adventures - Whether it’s a quick road trip or just a makan-makan outing, make memories with the kids. Trust me, it’s these moments they’ll remember.
3. Financial Courage - Worrying about money is valid, but don’t let it stop you from making bold moves. 
4. Self-Care Isn’t Selfish - Bubble baths, a new book, or even just a quiet cup of coffee—take it. You’ve earned it, sis.

In a few weeks, Adam and Iman akan di"sunatkan". Fateh of course, dengan dunia dia and Yusuf will soon leave his baby days behind and step into primary school. And me? I’m holding onto faith, love, and a little bit of crazy to keep everything (and everyone) together.

To all my fellow moms out there: Don’t wait. Make that change. Take that leap. Because one day, when you look back, you’ll want to smile at all the beautiful chaos you embraced.

PS: If you see a mom and her son devouring durians like there’s no tomorrow, that’s probably us. Come say hi, okay?