Hello, #BagongNanay.

First of all, I see you. When you are exhausted and at the brink of tears, finding out ways to calm your child, I see you.

I see you. When you are staying up late to search for a new job. I see you.

I see you. When you can’t seem to figure out what kind of business you want to start. I see you.

I’m going through all these too, so I get you. Let me tell you – you are doing great, and you don’t have to be so harsh on yourself, okay?

This is why I want to share the story of a Bagong Nanay who has gone through all these too, and proves that it’s not easy, but it can be done.

Here’s the #KuwentongBagongNanay of Freda Dador-Agustin – a mother, a development worker, and a business owner.

1. How are you juggling being a mother, a development worker, and a businesswoman at the same time? Share your top 3 hacks.

Now that I am working from home [because of the pandemic], it became easier for me to manage my time. I don’t have to go to the office, and waste four hours of my time in traffic. 

1. Make a daily routine. Write down all the things you need to get done daily, in your work, business, and mommy life. Aminin sa sobrang dami ng list natin, hindi kaya matapos in one day, so you also need to prioritize tasks. I am still working on this. Guilty ako because? Procrastination is real. Haha!
2. Ask for help. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Sobrang totoo itong si Mareng Village, and I have an incredible village that’s been helping me. From my husband to my mother, to my friends, to my colleagues, my boss – lahat sila andyan to help me. So do not be afraid to ask for help. ‘Yung simpleng group chat with your friends will keep you sane.
3. Make time for ME TIME. All-caps para intense! It is important to make time for yourself. Sabi nga nila, you cannot give what you don’t have. If you are unhappy, you cannot give happiness to your child. If you are unhappy, it will reflect on how you answer your customers and colleagues. So very important talaga to fill up your love tank. Do what makes you happy. That will help you balance your stress, increase your energy and help you focus.

Make time for yourself. Fill up your love tank. Sabi nga nila, “you cannot give what you don’t have.”

Freda Dador-Agustin, on balancing family, career, and business

2. What are the struggles of having to fulfill these three roles?

Take it from me – struggle pa rin ang time management kahit may daily routine. Minsan, kulang ang 24 hours sa dami ng need i-accomplish. Especially pag walang donor sa work and walang client sa business, kain oras maghanap ng mga clients and donors. So minsan lead generation palang, ubos na ang maghapon ko. 

3. How do you practice self-care?

Again, it’s very important that you make time for yourself. So I make time to do what makes me happy. Happy na ako when I get to sit down and watch Netflix or YouTube videos while munching on my favorite snacks. And as a people person, I enjoy chatting with my friends on social media.

4. What can you say is your biggest achievement yet as a Bagong Nanay? 

My biggest achievement siguro is I was able to raise a happy and healthy child. Praise God, we haven’t experience being confined in a hospital. He rarely gets sick. So feeling ko achievement ko na ito.

5. What’s your advice to Bagong Nanays who are planning to get back to work or start a business?

If you are planning to start a business, do something that you’re good at. And of course, do something that you are passionate about. Sa business namin na Graphics Create, my husband Jec is a graphic artist by profession. Ako naman, I love to chika-chika. So swak na, may taga-market, may taga-design.

6. In only six words, describe what kind of Bagong Nanay you are.

Nako, ang hirap, taga tawa lang kasi ako. Haha! I am a “mommy that finds humor in anything”. Walang kwentang nanay. Hahaha

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I am Freda from Rizal. I am the Bagong Nanay of Red, 5 years old. When I’m not doing the laundry and washing the dishes, I love watching Netflix and YouTube videos.

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Want to share your #KuwentongBagongNanay too? Send me a message! 😊