Society’s Expectations, Role Models, and Pursuing Passions, with Ngiam Xin Wei

Managing expectations placed by society on mothers, pursuing passions despite a busy work and family schedule, and carving out time for yourself. Xin Wei shares with us her experience mothering two young children, and how she learnt to be physically and mentally present no matter how busy work gets.   Ngiam Xin Wei is Managing Director of Deliveries at Grab, the iconic Southeast Asia technology company that recently went public. Xin Wei is a veteran Grabber who joined in 2015. Prior to her current role in deliveries, she held key leadership positions including head of GrabHitch, the social ridesharing service, and the Head of Economics and Marketplace. Recently, Xin Wei was recognized as Prestige 40 under 40 and Singapore 100 Women in Tech.   We discuss the stresses new mothers suffer from, such as expectations on breastfeeding and making excessive sacrifices for the sake of caregiving. Xin Wei believes that breastfeeding, as with parenting decisions, is about choosing what fits you and your child. She also shares how, in the long run, keeping your passion aflame has a valuable influence on children. That’s why she sets aside time for other activities, like exercise, learning something new through podcasts, or building her wine collection. To get in touch with Xin Wei, find her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/xwngiam   Don’t forget to head over to www.parents.fm to stay up to date with new and previous episodes, join our community of parents in tech or drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you!