Your Kids Don't Want Your 'Balance.' They Want Your Passion

“Mom, am I the main character of the party today?”

Recently, I attended the Asia Professional Speakers Singapore (APSS) Year-End Party. It was an evening buzzing with the energy of the Global Speaking Academy—surrounded by leaders and speakers who inspire audiences worldwide. 🥂

But the partner I held hands with walking in wasn't a fellow executive or a client. It was my daughter. (And yes, she is now the unofficial, self-proclaimed youngest member of APSS! 😆)

The "Double Life" We Live

If I look back at the "old me," this scene would have been unimaginable.

For those of us in the thick of our careers—mid-senior professionals handling heavy responsibilities—we often live a double life.

We wear the "Professional" mask to lead teams and drive revenue, and then frantically switch to the "Parent" mask after 5 PM. We try to keep these worlds strictly separate, fueled by a quiet guilt that we are shortchanging one side to feed the other.

But after working in Singapore for over a decade and building New Bloom, I realized that trying to keep these worlds apart was the problem, not the solution.

The most irreplaceable leaders don’t separate work and life. They integrate them.

From Balance to Blending

At the party, my daughter wasn't just a "tag-along." She acted as my little Creative Director (she actually helps select images for my workshop slides!) and my True Fan.

This is Work-Life Blending.

For mid-seniors, this isn't just a buzzword; it’s a survival strategy. It’s about stopping the exhausting act of code-switching and starting to live authentically. Here is how I practice it:

1. Bring your "True Self" to the office

By the time you reach a mid-senior level, your value isn't just your skills; it's your perspective. When my core values flow naturally into my work, my job stops being just a "means to earn money." It becomes a vehicle for the lifestyle I want.

2. Seek Win-Win Partnerships

We are done with cutthroat competition. In communities like APSS, I’ve found that sharing opportunities creates more value than hoarding them. Growth is sweeter when it's shared.

3. Re-frame the narrative at home

This is the most important shift. Instead of saying, "Mom has to go to work" (implying work is a burden taking me away from her), I say, "Mom is going to inspire some amazing people today!"

TheTakeaway

To my fellow parents and professionals: Your children don't just need your time; they need to see your passion.

When we let our families see us lit up by our purpose, we aren't just working. We are modeling what a fulfilling, integrated life looks like. And that is the best inheritance we can give them.

🌿 Ready to Step Off the Tightrope?

If you are a leader feeling the strain of the "double life," it might be time for a new approach. DM me or visit our website to discuss how you can design a work-life blend that energizes rather than exhausts you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Yina Han, Founder of New Bloom Consulting & Coaching and featured top voice in Singapore’s SG60 by New in Asia, is a seasoned HR leader who delivers 300+ coaching hours annually to clients in 6+ countries, guiding them through global career transitions. She also trains leaders at top luxury and Fortune 100 brands to elevate leadership impact, and drive sustainable career success.

Connect with Yina to transform your career with confidence and clarity.