#MumStory: She Wants To Run A Full Marathon With Her Kids
A full marathon is 42km.
By Terri Kue -
#MumStory is a series by The Singapore Women’s Weekly to uncover the underrated and underreported moments in motherhood and parenting — because we believe every mum has a story worth telling. Got a story to share? Email us at sww@sph.com.sg or slide into our DMs on Instagram.
If motherhood is anything, it's stress-inducing. Learning to deal with the pressure that comes with looking after children is important for any mum. For Matilda Sng, she does this through running.
However, running isn't just good for managing stress. The 40-year-old banker views the activity as a way to bond with her children. The mum of three -- two girls aged 12 and seven, and a boy aged two -- hopes to one day run a 42km marathon with her little ones. She also encourages her kids to take part in different sports.
On top of honing her kids' sports talents, she actively tries to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle by being mindful and trying to reduce the amount of waste created.
Read on for her #MumStory.
My husband and I have always wanted kids. I personally believe that having kids can bring a sense of purpose to many marriages. Parenthood comes with its unique set of challenges and responsibilities, and our children bring us immense joy and a sense of completeness.
The rewards and fulfilment gained from watching children grow and thrive outweigh the difficulties, making the journey of raising a family incredibly special for me and my husband.
How has running impacted your motherhood journey?
Running, for me, works as a means of de-stressing and organising my thoughts, particularly in managing the mental load that often comes with motherhood.
I recall a moment during the 32km SG Run race in 2019 when I subconsciously reflected on my interaction with my kids. I realised that my kids were more obedient and receptive when I spoke in a calmer tone. Running hence provides a way to take a break and clear the mental fog in my head to make space for thoughts and reflections.
Please tell us about your ambition to complete a 42km marathon with your kids.
It started with my father. Running has always been very close to his heart; the best way to bond with him is by going on a run with him. Watching him run from a young age was always an inspiration to me -- it played a big part in me ending up as a runner. We also enjoyed signing up for races and marathons together, and the memories we shared through participating in them together are priceless. He also motivated me a lot along the way, and that is how I always strive to do better.
Just like running helped me bond with my father, I believe that running marathons with my kids will be a great way for me to bond with them and create memories together during the training process. Running a marathon is one of my life's bucket list ambitions and I would love to help my kids check it off from theirs as well. My kids have grown up watching their parents and grandparents be fit; that has influenced them to want to run marathons in the future. This is one of the reasons why they are actively participating in school sports and activities.
For now, my eldest is in the school's track and field team, and my second-born has just started athletics training with a private training academy. My youngest is still exploring his talents.
How do you encourage your children to pick up running?
I sign them up for kids' races such as the SCSM Kids Dash. They are happy to receive medals for their effort and that serves as motivation. But right now, honing their talents is more important to me as a parent.
Honing the talents and interests of my kids is a good way for them to cultivate a habit of doing what they enjoy. It teaches them discipline and helps to build a well-rounded and balanced personality. And as they see their hard work and talent blossom, it will increase their self-esteem and confidence that they are good at something.
How do you balance your time between motherhood and running?
I keep my weekday runs short and I do my long runs early in the morning on weekends before the kids wake up. I don't watch much television, so there is ample time for both running and mummy duties.
Since becoming a mum, running has become much-needed personal time. Being a mum can be demanding and running is a way for me to have that personal time for thoughts, reflections, fitness, and sometimes, just silence.
I try to practise zero-waste habits wherever I can. Sometimes it can be a bit difficult since my kids are young, but we try to recycle and reuse materials, containers and plastics whenever we can.
My kids usually make tiny jewellery from recycled beads and materials. As a family, we carry our own bags when we go grocery shopping. Whenever I get plastic bags, I reuse them by filling them with garbage before disposing them. Additionally, we reuse glass containers such as jam bottles by storing other things in them. A zero-waste lifestyle is all about making conscious choices as an individual and a family.
It is important to know that achieving a fully zero-waste lifestyle might be impractical due to accessibility, budget, and/or lifestyle constraints. My family and I intend on adopting zero-waste practices in specific areas of our lives, and gradually expand our efforts over time.
I believe that it is meaningful to try to live a zero-waste lifestyle as it is our shared responsibility to protect the environment and conserve resources. Zero-waste living often goes hand in hand with choosing healthier, more sustainable options, and sets the foundation for a better future, particularly for the younger generation. It instills in them a sense of responsibility and inspires a lasting change.
How do you teach your kids to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle?
Kids often observe and follow. So instead of telling them to do something, I try to be a role model by continuing to practise a zero-waste lifestyle myself. I hope to set a good example for them.
The experience of travelling with children can be quite different from the idyllic holiday scenarios we envision. I wished someone told me that travelling with kids is akin to taking care of them in another country, not the holiday we imagine. I wish I had taken the opportunity to travel more extensively before starting a family.
Not only that, but as mothers, it's crucial to recognise that we are still human beings with our own needs, including the need for me time to destress and recharge. It is perfectly okay and necessary to take some time off for ourselves to do things that we enjoy. It is also important to understand that constantly hovering over our kids is not a healthy habit. They must be given the chance to just be kids.
What do you love about being a mum?
I absolutely love the moments when my children affectionately run to me for cuddles or seek comfort for their bumps and abrasions. I will always cherish moments when my children enthusiastically share their achievements with us. These interactions create deep emotional connections and bring immense joy and fulfilment to me.