Going “off book”// Episode #6

What if home isn’t a place on a map but the person who falls asleep in your arms? That’s the thread we pull as Alla Kamenskaya joins me to share how a decade-plus of living across Russia, the USA, the Maldives, Switzerland, China, and Singapore gave way to a new season shaped by a toddler, resilience, and a redefined career path.

We get honest about the gap between preparation and reality. Alla arrived at motherhood with checklists, courses, and a can-do mindset—and still found herself stunned by postpartum emotions, mom brain, and the slow, painful grind of a month of breastfeeding challenges. You’ll hear how she navigated the noise of well-meaning advice, chose what to keep, and learned to trust her instincts when nothing seemed to fit the handbook. The eventual breakthrough became more than a feeding milestone; it was a lesson in surrender, patience, and self-compassion.

From there, we talk community and identity. As an expat, Alla intentionally built networks—expat meetups, Russian-speaking groups, and mom circles that trade tips without judgment. She shares how hard it was to let others help, what finally shifted, and why reclaiming me time through tennis changed her mood, confidence, and outlook. Along the way, we explore stress relief that works in real life, the surprising joy of bedtime smiles after a stormy day, and how to balance ambition with presence when your industry expects long hours.

If you’re navigating a career pause, early parenthood, or a move far from home, this conversation offers practical steps and a gentle reminder: ask for help early, curate kind communities, protect your energy, and define success on your terms. Subscribe for more stories that blend candor, culture, and courage—and share this episode with someone who could use a little hope today.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome And Guest Introduction
• 0:54 A Life Across Continents
• 2:55 Redefining Home Through Motherhood
• 3:58 Career On Pause And Time Crunch
• 7:46 Postpartum Shock And Mom Brain
• 11:05 Breastfeeding Struggles And Breakthrough
• 14:22 Control, Trust, And Accepting Help
• 17:32 Finding Me Time And Tennis Comeback
• 19:32 Building Community As An Expat Mom
• 23:15 Values, Personality, And Support Networks
• 26:08 Stress Relief Rituals And Joyful Moments
• 29:36 Nonjudgmental Support And Following Instincts
• 31:44 Hopes For The Future And Rapid Fire
• 37:54 Closing Notes And CTA

Transcript

Alla: 0:00

Every child and mom is so different. If you're struggling, if you are hurting, or if you don't know, go ask for help. Everyone understands and everyone actually I think wants to help e specially if it's your circle. So the support system of um friends, girlfriends, maybe some professionals, uh, it's very important to use.

Edit: 0:34

Hello and welcome to The Juggleverse. I'm Edit and I want to thank each and every one of you for joining us. Your support has been incredible. Across just the first week after launch, we managed to reach the top 25% of new podcasts, and I couldn't be more grateful for this community. Today's episode is especially meaningful because I have an inspiring guest, Alla Kamenskaya, whose life story is a testament to adaptability and strength that everyone should listen to. Born in Vladivostok, Russia, Alla's journey has taken her across continents, living and working in the USA, Maldives, Switzerland, China, Russia, and now in Singapore. Her experiences are as diverse as they are inspiring, and her story beautifully highlights what it means to be a global citizen, a dedicated mother, and a resilient professional. In her own words, motherhood has been a journey filled with surprises, challenges, and sometimes unanticipated joys. Today we'll explore her unique perspective on juggling motherhood with a career, culture, and a life that defies borders. And I promise you'll hear stories and insights you haven't heard before. So let's dive in. Hello Alla, welcome to the podcast.

Alla: 2:02

Hi, Edit. Thank you so much for such a lovely introduction and uh bringing me in. It's uh really, really nice to be here and very honored.

Edit: 2:12

Was the introduction true for you?

Alla: 2:15

I think so. It sounds very uh inspiring for me. I hope I keep up. Yeah.

Edit: 2:21

Is it interesting to listen to such an introduction about yourself?

Alla: 2:26

I mean, I never heard that before uh in that way. So yeah, I was like, oh, interesting, yeah, something special.

Edit: 2:35

Okay, moving from Russia to the USA, then uh to the Maldives, Switzerland, China, and now Singapore. Yes, that's what I uh that's how I introduced you. Do you feel different kinds of home? Or is it the people, uh, the culture, or something else that makes it feel like home?

Alla: 2:55

Well, honestly speaking, um, I think once I left a long time back, like 15 years ago, um I was not really looking for the home. I was just looking for um um adventure, for culture, for some exploration. And um the home, like home what I would say I grew up with, I just got it uh now because uh I got a son. And before it was just uh me, my suitcase, uh my husband eventually, and yeah, the whatever adventures it brings. So I think the home, it's uh I I don't feel like I'm I belong to some certain places anymore. I think I'm a global citizen, as you said, and um uh yeah, once I got my son, um I felt like now I have a people that are my everything, my home, and then I feel more like home. But before it was just exploring with no no home base, I would say like that.

Edit: 3:58

Yeah, balancing a career, raising a toddler, what are the difficulties that you have to uh face day by day, and what are the most surprising things um in your daily life?

Alla: 4:13

Well, since um before I used to uh I get used to travel and um walk uh and live at the same place, let's say in the hotel, I would not really uh care much uh about anything except my walk and my performance. I would stay in the hotel most of the times where everything got cleaned, organized, I would get the food and this and that. And then once I got pregnant, I got so much things to organize in my life I have never experienced before. And on the top of that, I used to wake up, take care of myself, go down to walk. Uh was no other things to do other than walk. And here we are now, uh totally upside down with uh one human being constantly asking for me for this and that.

Edit: 5:11

It's just especially for attention, for your attention.

Alla: 5:15

I mean, attention is is the only thing he wants 24-7. I think the rest he can manage. So yeah, it's the difficulty is just the time. There is not enough time, then sleep. What is sleep? I mean, now it's getting better, then you know he is getting close to two years old, but uh it's like you don't sleep, you don't eat, you have no time for shower, uh, you just try to figure out what he wants because he doesn't talk to you, only cries. And yeah, I mean Korea at the moment uh I put on stop. Uh it was I decided to do it like that. Uh, but when I do go back to um do my job, it would be a challenge because uh hotel industry requires a lot of extra time, a lot of office hours, and uh uh I still would like to put my son to bed and to to bathe him and you know do like proper mama duty, and I think that would be like to to jungle between uh baby and work, it would be really hard.

Edit: 6:25

That would be challenging, but maybe this is not the right time yet.

Alla: 6:29

I maybe definitely I mean I think um every mother has to feel how it works. Some moms just you know go straight to work, some moms don't. I mean, at the moment I feel like I spend more time with the baby, but I'm already checking kindergartens, and you know, uh day cares uh because it eventually it will happen. But um I don't know when I will be ready to do that either, because it's really nice to spend time with your baby. I mean, I I waited for a while to have it, so I just fully enjoy it at the moment and yeah, see how it goes.

Edit: 7:08

And you live for the day then?

Alla: 7:10

Yeah, I mean I have a full-time walk as a mom, but uh yeah, every day is uh like a walk day.

Edit: 7:17

Motherhood often comes with a lot of assumptions, but did you imagine it like that?

Alla: 7:22

Uh some parts, yes. Uh for example What were these parts? Uh for example, I would expect that I wouldn't have time. Um, I would expect that I have to be devoted. I was mentally getting ready for that for some time, for some years. And then when I was getting pregnant, and like I knew where I'm going. And uh yeah, and I try always to plan the things I was trying to prepare, going for the courses, for the prenatal, this and that. And then, you know, he was born, and yes, you are prepared, but then you are not, because you still have your your baby, your life, and you don't know how it comes out. Like, yeah, I mean, sometimes he cries, sometimes he needs this, sometimes he needs that, and I'm alone, I don't have anybody, I don't know what to do, and then you're like, oh my god, you know, how do how do you copy? And yeah, so I mean, I didn't expect um, you know, everyone talks about mom brain, mom, mom mentality, but I didn't expect it would hit me that because I'm quite hands-on person, and then at some point, especially first weeks, you just you don't know what's with your emotions, you you forget the things, you you like uh I you say something, and then what did I say? And then you you you know, like you cannot remember, and I was like, oh my god, I mean, is it me or somebody else? And then the body, my body was like something like there is an alien inside me or something, so it's yeah, physically, mentally, um, it was uh something I wouldn't expect that way.

Edit: 9:02

But in the first couple of weeks you were aware fully of what's happening with your body and with your sense and uh mental health as well?

Alla: 9:13

I think at some point, like I mean, I had a very easy pregnancy. I I mean I I get big and heavy and pain here there, but then uh when the baby came out and you know I started to to lose my passion and you know, like because I'm not I I can control myself. I'm very like hands-on person, but then I I couldn't sometimes I cry. I don't know why, and then you know, uh I couldn't concentrate, and then yeah, and my body hurts everywhere, like everywhere, and you know, like I was breastfeeding, my my breast was like, you know, another story like I have to tell. So it was really like something that I mean the life hasn't prepared me yet.

Edit: 10:03

But were these out of your expectations then?

Alla: 10:06

I I I mean I wasn't even thinking about that. I mean, because you know, when you read the books, when when you prepare, like they, you know, they say like, okay, prepare diapers, prepare uh some creams for the baby, okay. This is how you wash him, uh, this is how you feed him, and then, you know, and then you bring baby home and and he doesn't want to eat. But you I study, like I did some online courses how to feed the baby, but he didn't want to eat, and I was like, Why, why, why, why it doesn't connect, you know? And then yeah, it's it was a bit of a challenge. Uh, I mean, I just stick to to myself and just push it through, but it was not something you would control, expect, or believe, unless you really go through it.

Edit: 10:50

So you mentioned uh also the importance of resilience in your personal life. Can you share a moment when motherhood challenge challenged you profoundly and how you navigated through it?

Alla: 11:05

Yeah, I mean, I think the whole um motherhood is something to stay really strong and resilient. Um, I think with me it started actually from the beginning because I'm very hands-on person and I try to prepare for everything in advance. This is like this is me. And then, you know, uh, I took a lot of courses online, offline about how to manage the first few weeks and um, yeah, about breastfeeding. And then had a very nice uh five days in the hospital, fantastic. Like I was taking care so well. I bring my baby home, um, he sleep. He, I mean, he was no trouble boy, and then he wakes up, he's hungry. I try to breastfeed him, he doesn't take it. I try, uh, you know, I had luckily I had my mom and I had a nanny. Uh, we try, like, you know, turn, do this, do that. In the hospital, they show me how to do it. I mean, we were practicing it, nothing works. And he starts to scream. I mean, he is hungry, he's a big boy, and then I'm like, oh my god, what do I do? And then, you know, uh, I start to search, I start to look for some uh help. I mean, um, in the hospital, they they teach me the ways, like, okay, if he doesn't really take it, then there is a little cup, and then you have to pump the milk and this and that, and I'm like, but he's hungry and I have to do something and I can't. And then it was a battle of uh I would say two, three weeks when uh my baby didn't want to take the milk, but in my head, in my mind, I was like, I have to do it, and it was painful for him, it was painful for me. We had to go to um like um physiotherapy who who would uh call my baby. Uh I had to have a couple of lactations consultants that come and go, and it was a battle of I think first myself because I was annoyed and I was in pain, then my baby who constantly cries because he's hungry. But then after one month, he started to eat properly. Like he just took it like it's he's supposed to take it. And I was like, oh my god, I mean, seriously. That was not something I was prepared because it's just like emotionally, it's hard. Then you have your hormones, then uh you know you have a lot of advice from your like parents, your friends, and the consultants, and you have to choose what's what's right. But I had And you also have your own instincts. Yes, like that that you know, then I know what is right, and then you know, and then all this kind of mix and match, and at the end, yeah, in the end, he's he he started to eat, and he's because they also like the baby has to gain weight. He started to gain weight finally, and then I was like, oh my god, okay, at least something I already succeeded as a mom. I learned together with my baby how to breastfeed him. I mean, that was a tough start.

Edit: 14:06

Uh you said that uh after your your son was born, there was a um, let's say a small team around you who helped you and assisted you. But afterwards, day by day, could you manage to build your own community, your wider community with a baby? And how could you do that?

Alla: 14:28

Honestly speaking, I could manage everything except giving my baby away to someone. Uh like uh because yes, I had um Nanito who would help, and my mom and my dad was there, and my husband was there. And then yeah, um they're like they're all trying to help, and then I was trying to figure out how and what how to organize our daily schedule, and then at some point, yes, I um the food was there for me, and then the the house was cleaned, and then everything was fine, but I for I think first two months I wouldn't be able to give my baby away to anybody, maybe for short term, just because I was afraid they'd they do something wrong and then they don't know what.

Edit: 15:17

So it was because of you and not because of the baby that he didn't want it?

Alla: 15:21

No, it was just me that I was like I had um help, I had a nani, but I didn't want to give too much. I wanted to be with him, I wanted to see him, I wanted to make sure everything is alright. And then the rest of the uh routine was taken care of. There was someone who would uh clean the house or who would cook for me, and then eventually my husband uh would take over and then I would go for a walk maybe alone or something. But uh yeah, I mean I I try to uh to do some task force for others.

Edit: 15:56

And what was the turning point after two months? What happened that you were able to give this kind of um uh task to others to handle the baby and to take care of the baby?

Alla: 16:08

Well, I think at some point I just got really tired that you know I couldn't take a shower, I couldn't go to the toilet, I wanted to, you know, uh to take a rest, but and then I was like, okay, come on, you have to trust your guts, you have to trust other people, it will be okay. And then yes, I had a very nice uh nanny for my baby whom I started to trust while my husband was away, and then I would give it to her for a couple of hours, and then yeah, I think until he turned one, I was it was me, my uh husband, and that nanny that the baby was taking care of, nobody else could touch him still, but at least I had my moments, you know.

Edit: 16:56

During this one year, could you manage to find your me time?

Alla: 17:00

Yes, eventually, yes. I mean, uh after the things would be settled, when I would figure out eating, sleeping, cleaning, and also time, I I started to do things for myself. Um, I I learned about it before that you know you shouldn't really go deep dive and forget about your things. So, yes, I went I went to play tennis. Uh I went to play tennis um because I I did that before, and uh at the time the the group I was playing with, they told me um there is a team which is already like um full, but there is a space uh and we would go for um just some unprofessional competition. Would you like to join? And I said, Okay. And my baby was like uh six months, and I said, Okay, let's go for competition, let's play. And then it I think that also kind of opened up for me. That there's another world. There is another world, and my baby will be fine, you know. Like there are really nice people, you already checked them, they will take care of him and yeah, you go Allah go, like take care of yourself. And then I think I changed um mentally. I was a bit more like uh switched on, I was like in a better mood. I mean, I had uh time just for the game for for to meet in my girlfriend uh during this ten years um lesson. So yes, I I I went out from that circle and I'm happy I did.

Edit: 18:36

But was it difficult to admit that uh you you have to change your world around you and not only concentrating on the baby? Or was there a sign that uh reminded you that okay, now it's time to put more effort on in myself?

Alla: 18:55

I think I was just testing, testing, testing, testing, and that at some point I'm like, okay, if I if I do it now, what's gonna happen? You know, I would I would go like playing, then I would run back and I go, okay, all good, all good. And then again, again. And I was I was just extending the hours and uh letting myself cool down, I think. So I I think I kind of build it up in the way that yeah, I mean, now I can let my baby be with the nanny and I know he will be okay, and I'm totally fine with my mind about it.

Edit: 19:32

How do you build your community um in a new country? You traveled a lot uh in your in your life, but is it difficult to rebuild a community all the time, or can you handle them remotely as well after moving to another country?

Alla: 19:50

Honestly speaking, this is the most most um hardest thing for me, uh the community, because um I'm a very human-oriented person and I like people around me. I mean, I choose wisely, but then I get attached to them and then I don't want to leave them, you know. And the first thing normally when I come to the new place, I would look for um expat groups, for the community groups, for my um Russian-speaking groups. That's that's what how I learned that there are people like you here, just you have to find them. Like in Singapore, it was really uh funny because the moment I arrived, I I searched on Instagram some Russian-speaking uh people in Singapore, and then uh immediately there was a group of ladies, it was post-COVID, that they would organize some kind of gatherings with some restrictions. But uh I was like, I have to go there. I'm I have to find them, I have to talk. I mean, how's life here? I mean, I don't know anybody, and then you know, I jump in and then yeah, from that moment, uh, some of the girls I met, like four years ago now, I'm still friends. I'm good friends with them. And I'm grateful. I I stepped out of my boundaries and I went to look for people, and then yes, you there is so much community, you just really have to look for it. Unless, like, I mean, you are in uh already like in the walk, then you also have your community. But if not, like at the moment I arrived, I was not walking, so I'm like, okay, no, I'm not gonna sit at home, I'm gonna find this, I'm gonna do that. There is like, but there are a lot of things. And then, yeah, I mean, this is what I do, and then the people, yeah, I get attached to the people, and that's that comes another problem. That at this stage, I mean, after traveling so long living abroad, I start to to choose less people to be friends with. Because you you don't want to be hurt? Because I know I know at some point it's not our home and we will depart. And yeah, now I think my community is very small. I really uh it's like it's not that I'm bad or something, I just don't want to hurt myself, and I really try to stick to some people because yeah, it hurts to lose them. Uh I I have still um friends that I met 15 years ago. We are in contact on social media, on WhatsApp, but it's not the same unless you really live in the same place, unless you uh have some interaction together. It's just you know, your lives is going away from each other, and you just don't sometimes you don't have time to talk to that people anymore. And yeah, I mean, and all these memories you you had to before together, it's it's really hard to lose for me.

Edit: 22:44

Are you building now the community around you in favor of yourself or in favor of your son?

Alla: 22:51

Oh yeah, well, uh, when I came, it was um definitely uh my own interests, and yeah, my husband also we kind of we we are both of us is like uh very people-oriented uh persons, but uh now I start to create um on purpose uh the baby groups. Like I do do have an expert community for babies, and I have a Russian also community for babies, and uh I figure out it's much better to struggle as a mom with another mom by together when by a while, you know, your babies is like just rolling around playing or doing something. So I intentionally started to build it, yeah, like maybe a couple of months ago, and now all other mums join us, and we have a very funny group of, not funny, like very cool group of mums from all over the place, which is like met because of this, because of that, because of that, but I started it. Like we've just last week we were in kindergarten, and it was uh the girls I even didn't know, but then we would start to figure out how they end up in this kindergarten, then like, oh that's Allah, Allah invite me, I invite you, you you're like, oh okay, that's nice, you know. So yeah, now it's more about my son.

Edit: 24:13

Yeah. Um, in communities of mums, personalities and characters often matter deeply. Um, when you meet other mums or form other networks, as you mentioned, how do you feel uh uh they perceive you, they accept you because of your personality?

Alla: 24:34

Well, I hope they do, you know, because um yeah, I think I attract people because of my um positive thinking, uh, openness, uh kindness, and yeah, when especially now with the baby, I always try to, you know, to research something, to find something, then I would share. I also like to other moms to share. So I think uh the I hope the the the ladies with whom we are teaming up together with our babies, they do think that I'm a positive person, so like a good person and meaningful person, and that's like maybe my personality what attracts them. And then then they would say, like, oh, your baby is so smart, oh he does this and that, how did you do that? And then I would tell the whole story, how I did that, where to go, what to look, you know. So I I guess I'm kind of resourceful for them, also. I hope. I mean, but so far, so good. So far, so good.

Edit: 25:33

Yeah, so in this network, there's always a dynamic, right? Yeah. How you manage to go and enroll on with to improving these um relationships?

Alla: 25:43

Yeah, I mean, we we we all have a common goal now, uh, to make the best out of our babies. So, you know, we I I mean we are teaming up and just going there, here, everywhere.

Edit: 25:55

So you uh mentioned your kindness, but what other qualities or traits do your um closest supporters appreciate most about you? Well, um, I think, at least what my husband says, I'm very stubborn.

Alla: 26:15

I mean, this is like no discussion. If something is on my mind, it will happen. Like I'm a very like goal-oriented uh person, I'm a achiever. And uh if I promise something to someone uh around my friends or um mums or anybody around me, that will happen. So I'm very trustworthy, first worthy person. Like they know if Allah said it it she said that means something.

Edit: 26:45

Okay, but who is the boss in the family, your son or you? It's very hard.

Alla: 26:52

It's very hard. I mean, um to say I I try to be in charge as much as possible, but you know, my baby, uh my son, I mean, he's not really a baby. He knows what he wants. And um uh he's definitely uh try to get it. He will use uh his voice, he's very loud, or he will try to, you know, to to point it or whatsoever. So I would say 70% is me, 30% is him, but I think it's gonna change towards him more because he's not talking yet. You know, he's just like using his voice and uh his emotions. But uh he's definitely a baby boss, yeah.

Edit: 27:41

What are some unconventional strategies you can use every day to handle stress?

Alla: 27:49

Uh I mean I think all the mums uh has their own things.

Edit: 27:54

But what do you have?

Alla: 27:56

Uh sometimes I would just go and um have a coffee. Uh I mean, it's guilty that I like Starbucks. I I know it's not um uh the best coffee in the world, but uh actually since I started to travel, uh I would find that uh if there is a Starbucks, I would go there because it's kind of atmosphere that cools me down, uh gives me some um silence and uh help me think something through. So um yeah, I would sneak for a coffee. Or if I have more time, I would go to do maybe my nails or like hairdressers, something something to make me comfortable and uh that no one is around. That that that would be I think something, yeah, something for myself.

Edit: 28:46

But is this uh make you feel comfortable if you go to hairdressers or to make your nails?

Alla: 28:54

I just like the idea that someone is taking care of me instead of me taking care of someone. So yes, I relax. I I I like I like that type of interaction, I would say.

Edit: 29:06

So we were talking about the baby boss, right? But in the midst of uh the chaos, what moments of joy or triumph do you cherish the most? There must be some of them.

Alla: 29:19

Well, you know, um no matter uh how hard the day was, uh he developed recently this really nice thing when I put him to bed, like uh he somehow always uh go to my hands, lean his head forward, and he smiles at me. And this is something I'm like, oh my god, I he's so joyful and cheerful baby, and you know, like just when maybe an hour ago he was making drama, like destroying the things, and then when I put him to bed, I look at him like this is totally worth it. The whole day, the whole year, the whole month. He's uh this is my favorite time actually of the day to put him to bed, to look at him smiling and then nicely sleeping. And then I could just stare at him for like 10 minutes, 15 minutes. It's it's it's just so cute. I don't know if it's every mom does it or it's just my thing, but when I put him to bed, when I look at him, when he's like smiling and relaxing, this is this is amazing. This is my my favorite part.

Edit: 30:26

This is so beautiful that you've become so emotional. Yeah, I know, I know.

Alla: 30:31

I mean the babies is just yeah, yeah, yeah.

Edit: 30:33

It's true, right? Yes, it is, it is. If you're looking forward and you could design your ideal support system for moms or future mums, juggling parenthood and careers, what would it look like? Honestly speaking, I think um as you are experienced now.

Alla: 30:53

As I'm experiencing now, the the thing I know for sure that every child and mom is so different, you really cannot like predict or advise something. But um what I figure out that if you're struggling, if you're hurting or if you don't know, go ask for help. Like there are so many helpful um groups, therapists, uh, or even like your girlfriends. Like when I was in need, I ask and people really reply because everyone understands, and everyone actually I think wants to help, especially if it's your circle. So the support system of um friends, girlfriends, maybe some professionals, uh, it's very important to use. And then maybe if you have time, you can also read because uh there are so much resources now. Uh when it's a bigger situation, when it's more you have more time, you can actually go and study the things, like everything is available. So I would say that's very important to go ask, search, look for help. And then yeah, I mean, we are in uh 21st century the the the life is really fast, and um the the faster you are the better you are like it's like how you should uh how you should proceed and then but don't you feel that in groups as well?

Edit: 32:28

That it it matters how better you do, how you can um do it better. Maybe this is also a quarrel among mothers as well that I can do it better than you do. Don't you feel that sometimes that in in these certain groups there are this kind of competition between well, definitely not in my groups. Okay.

Alla: 32:52

I mean, I I know what you I I understand what you say, and uh um yeah, there are there are people like that in every situation, not just the baby groups. But what I find, especially when you're expat, especially when you're abroad, normally the women, the mums, they are kinder to each other. So uh at least try. I mean, try try to go and to ask and to support uh to get some help and then the rest, I think. All the mums by default has uh instincts and all the mums know what is right. And if you think whatever they tell you it's wrong, then you're probably right it's wrong. So just stick to your guts and listen to yourself and then balance it. That's that's what I would recommend.

Edit: 33:39

How do you see yourself in 10 or 15 years' time? I don't know. Really, this is a question. Uh what will that Allah be doing that time?

Alla: 33:52

Hopefully something something really meaningful. Uh I mean, um, yeah, I probably will be walking um and I hope it will be enjoyable. Uh walking and uh having a baby back in uh kindergarten or school maybe that time. Um I hope I will be really good mom later on. And uh I really believe that I can manage it and I have all the things for it, and maybe I will be some very good um executive, or maybe I will have my own business. I actually haven't decided yet, but I definitely would like to be a very good mom. That's for sure. I will try everything to do that.

Edit: 34:38

You will be, that's for sure. But at last and uh but not least, I have uh a surprise for you. Oh like some rapid fire questions. Are you in? Okay, well let's go all right coffee or tea, coffee, yoga stretch or nap? Yoga stretch, morning chaos or toddler storm morning chaos kids laughter or meltdown, meltdown, plan every detail or chaos coordinator? Plan all the details. Reading a book or pretending to listen. Oh well no well I read the book okay this time solo time or meltdown controlled chaos? Solo time. Cooking dinner or what's for delivery? Yeah, delivery for sure. Sleep in or hit snooze forever. Sleep in supporting others or being supported? I like to support others. Which is harder, digital detox or social media scroll marathon? Um I think social media marathon is harder. Saying yes or why did I say yes? Sometimes I have this question: why did I say yes? Is it difficult to say yes or regret saying yes?

Alla: 36:23

Sometimes it's difficult to regret to say yes because I'm sometimes way too positive.

Edit: 36:31

We can getaway or couch potato. Getaway. Favorite comfort food or I need a snack now. Yes, snack now. Catch with other mums or hide in the closet. I'll go catch with other mums. Celebrating small wins or hoping nobody notices. I will I like to party. The last one, silent meditation or dance like no one's watching. I would go for dance, yeah. Allah, I'm so grateful that you come. You can make it.

Alla: 37:12

Thank you, Edit. I mean, it's really special to be your guest. And uh thank you so much for believing in me. It's my first time ever, and I really hope I will bring some meaningful information for your followers.

Edit: 37:26

I'm absolutely sure, and thank you so much for coming. I hope you enjoyed it. Oh, I yes, I did so very much. Thank you. For all listeners, I hope Ala's story sparks a new perspective on motherhood, no matter where you're tuning in from. Remember, new episodes are coming in January 2026. More stories, more inspiration, and more ways to help each other keep juggling through life's beautiful chaos. Please don't forget to like and subscribe. It is essential for us. And if this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need a boost today. Until next time, keep juggling, keep laughing, and keep shining your light.