{"id":3741,"date":"2021-03-10T16:31:17","date_gmt":"2021-03-10T16:31:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/working-from-home-during-the-pandemic-3-remarkable-academic-mothers-share-their-stories\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:19:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T09:49:16","slug":"working-from-home-during-the-pandemic-3-remarkable-academic-mothers-share-their-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/working-from-home-during-the-pandemic-3-remarkable-academic-mothers-share-their-stories","title":{"rendered":"Working from home during the pandemic: 3 Remarkable academic mothers share their stories"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, we experienced a seismic change \u2013 most of us started working from home. While some welcomed this change of lifestyle (count me in this part of the crowd), others found it extremely challenging to adjust to this new normal. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But who had the pandemic the maximum impact on? We\u2019re aware that around the world, it is majorly the women who shoulder more responsibilities than men when it comes to parenting and household duties. In fact, a recent study indicated that during the pandemic, academic mothers spent less research hours<\/a> as compared to academic fathers. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t it be interesting to take a peek into how academic mothers managed their work while also taking care of their kids during the pandemic? We spoke to three remarkable academic mothers who shared their bittersweet experience that I\u2019m sure every woman, especially mothers, reading this will be able to relate to. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mei Lin Neo<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Mei Lin Neo is a Senior Research Fellow at the Tropical Marine Science Institute in Singapore. Through her work she aims to increase marine conservation awareness and generate positive societal impacts. She is also part of Mothers in Science<\/a>, an international non-profit organization devoted to supporting women in STEM careers, where she hopes to build awareness and support for fellow science moms. When not working on her projects, Mei Lin writes about her favourite marine animal \u2013 the giant clam! <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Twitter:<\/strong> <\/b>@MeilinNeo<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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As a new mother, I struggled with holding onto my identity as a scientist and my new identity as a mother to my girl. I didn’t start out knowing what’s the best way to balance work and family life, as I love my work and it makes me happy. At the same time, I have this new baby whose life and needs depend on her mummy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The pandemic lockdown made it absolutely impossible to distinguish my two roles \u2013 it was messy and stifling because I was trying to fit my child into my workflow. It took me a while to realise, but I now know that my child isn\u2019t just a puzzle piece for me to put somewhere in my life \u2013 she IS my life. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a working scientist, I was grateful for understanding colleagues who allowed me to take my daughter along with me to work meetings and conferences (and allowing me to step out to breastfeed her when needed). My colleagues also stepped in to help me look after her, when I needed to attend something more urgent. My ‘tribe’ of colleagues really gave me confidence that I can be a scientist and mother simultaneously.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t have all the answers to my challenges being a mother in science, but motherhood has already given me new lenses and perspectives on what is important and of priority to me as a working mother. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

So, here are some tips that I have used to coping with working from home with my child amid the pandemic:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n