Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
To be honest, I am still on my journey to completely figuring that out. I had to learn to set healthy boundaries between work and family time and remind myself of them throughout my day!
Social work has taught me it’s important to be consciously aware of my energy levels (physically, as well as emotionally) and be upfront with my clients about my and their role throughout our journey ahead. Because I love what I do and am passionate about supporting the families I work with, I find it easy to go the extra mile, no matter what time of the day, which means I have to be careful I am still spending the time I want and need with my own family and whanau.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I guess the first steps are often the hardest, so deciding not to go back to work as a social worker was scary and exhilarating at the same time. Being in my late 30s with two children under 4, starting a new career and building my own business was nothing I had seen myself to ever aspire to. Yet, here I was returning to study and pulling all-nighters, while still up early in the morning being emotionally available to my two children. All of this while going in and out of lockdowns! I got through it all with the support of my partner and my very own little village.
I have also found the need to be active on social media a challenge. This might make me sound old, but I have never spent much time on Facebook and until I had started Your Village I didn’t even have an Instagram account, so getting my head around reels, posts, stories and hashtags is an ongoing challenge, but I am up for it.
Lastly, the prejudice and misinformation being spread around sleep support makes me both sad and angry. All too often I see opinions being promoted as facts. Some claim to be backed up by scientific studies, but often when you actually look into the references provided, it is clear that the information is intentionally being taken out of context to suit a particular narrative. Who has time to fact check everything they read online? This information is then repeated, often with good intentions, but all this does is continue the spread of misinformation, fear and judgement. Instead, families with young children need and deserve scientifically based information and foremost kindness, acceptance and support.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
I do what I love and what I am good at. If I have an idea, no matter how “crazy” it might seem at first, I can give it a shot and go for it, without needing someone else’s permission!
This freedom is of course a double-edged sword: being my own boss comes with quite a bit of responsibility and uncertainty, which can be emotionally challenging. While I can more or less pick my own hours of work, which is great while having little children, I am also putting in a lot of “unpaid” hours, so believing in my vision and staying motivated is essential.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
So many ideas and so little time!
I am very motivated to improve access to quality information for parents around sleep in children. I want to provide support to parents to help them make their own decisions based on their lifestyle, values and what feels right to them.
I am planning on setting up classes & workshops (in person, as well as online), where parents can ask questions and share experiences about all things sleep related. These workshops will provide a place to access information and advice based on science, practicality, and most importantly on kindness, compassion – and be free from judgement!
Photographer: Alena Ya: www.lifestylephoto.nz.
Visit the Your Village website to find out more, and join their supportive communities on Facebook and Instagram. You can also email Vera at vera.yourvillage@gmail.com.
