留在家中是一種幸福
I made a choice to stay home taking care of the children ever since my elder one was born and that was the biggest and best ever decision I have ever made. When you tell others you are just a stay at home mom (SAHM) or full time mom (FTM), people often think you don’t have to work. Nah… you work harder than anyone else.
大女兒出生後我便決定留在家中照顧她，這個的確是我人生中最重大和最佳的決定。當告訴別人你是全職媽媽時，大多數人會說：「真好，你不用工作！」或「哦，當上太太可以每天嘆下午茶。」確實，全職媽媽這份工作比任何的更辛苦。
Leaving my last job which was paying me a decent salary was not easy but I have not regret any moment of it. Certainly I miss the actions at a workplace and there were times when I wish to return to the work force.
離開一份高薪厚職不是容易的決定，但我沒有半點後悔過。當然我有想念工作的挑戰，令我反覆鬥爭應否回到工作崗位。
This year when the opportunity came, I decided to start my own businesses so I can take lead in having my own venture while having the flexibility. I could manage my time better, say taking a month to take my children back to Canada to spend time with my folks, or go to the office only 3 times a day while manage my work at nights on the other days.
今年終於機會來了，我決定自己創業，不單可以有挑戰也可以有自主能力！我可以自由選擇工作時間，也可以安排自己帶孩子回加拿大一個月或每星期只工作三天，更善用晚上孩子睡覺時完成工作。
Being there for the kids when they are young mean a lot to me. I could see them grow and also adopt to new things in life. Many parents also agree kids learn a lot of things from their peers – both good and bad. We have all been there – picking up all the nasty tricks from our fellow classmates and best friends in school. And if I were not there to spot those new tricks my 4 years old has picked up from her BFF, they will get by and become her habits. Overtime her habits will turn into her personality giving her the character she will grow up to.
我總覺得當孩子年紀尚小的時候父母應多留在他們身邊。我們能看見孩子成長，學會每樣新事物。我們也成長過，自己應該還記得從朋友身邊學會每樣新奇刺激的事情，當中少不免是一些壞主意。若果我不在她身邊，她從她好朋友身上學會的鬼主意會慢慢變成她的習慣。久而久之這些壞習慣便會變成她的性格，塑造了她的一生。
I was home the other day after school to spend the afternoon with my kids when I noticed my fours year old had some small pieces of toy parts in her hand. I could tell they are not from our home so I asked her what were they. At first she was reluctant to tell me what they were. Later she admitted she got them from her school because her BFF told her no one would notice even if they took them away! I was stunned to see 4-5 years old would have that kind of ideas. We had eventually sought out a remedy by bringing those small pieces back to her teacher after a long talk about how we should not be taking things which do not belong to us.
數個月前有一天我剛好在家，接過她們放學就待在家中陪她們一個下午。就這樣我發現女兒手上有一些小物件，輕輕問那些是什麼。她起初不大願意回答，後來終於從實招來告訴我她的好朋友說那些東西不起眼偷偷拿了也沒有人發現！沒想到四五歲的小孩也會想到這些鬼主意。最終我們也找到解決方案，當天我便帶他回學校把東西還給老師。另外當然女兒就上了半天教育課，好好教導她不可以隨便拿不是屬於自己的東西。
It may seem like a small chapter to many people but I see that a potential life changer turning point that can start a new habit for my girl. Should I be working a 9-6 job, I would not be able to spot that and do any immediate action to rectify it.
或許你覺得這是一件很小的事，但在於我來說這可能是一個人生轉捩點。若我的工作是固定每天9-6，豈能那麼容易讓我發現這生活上的小插曲。
Perhaps I am doing two jobs as a full time mom yet an early business starter, but I have the full control of my own time to be there at home for them whenever I want or when I’m needed.
或許我現在是早上兩份工作，既是全職媽媽也是初創業者，但我能夠有自己控制到的時間表，隨時隨地可以在家陪伴着我的孩子。
About the contributor 投稿者檔案
Ever since she has been a mother, Lena has put aside her career and focus on her children. Although she has left her job, Lena has never given up her own dream. With the children start schooling now, she has returned but this time working for herself and helping others dreams come true.
Lena is a Canadian Hong Konger. She was previously working for a number of asset management firms and was chartered as CFA. A mother of two daughters, Lena works as a business consultant helping small business to grow.
加入媽媽行列後，Lena放下了高薪厚職專心照顧孩子。雖然只是暫別工作，但是她沒有放棄理想。現在孩子已經開始上學Lena回歸職場，但這回決定為自己拼命，為他人圓夢
Lena為加藉港人，曾任職多間資產管理公司並擁有特許金融分析師(CFA)認可資格。現育兩女兒，當商務顧問為中小企策劃業務拓展。