They say it takes a village to raise a child. Here at Temasek, we believe that employers can be part of that community to help families raise their children.

In celebration of Children’s Day, we spoke to three of our colleagues to find out how they juggle the demands of both work and family. Sharing his thoughts on parenthood, first-time dad 29-year-old Zechariah Neo said: “Committing to be an involved father while working is not easy today; however every little bit of encouragement or nudge helps.”

By implementing a host of family-friendly initiatives, we are proud to play a key role in building bonds across our families. To all parents and their children, Happy Children's Day!

Besides facing the prospect of having to tend to his newborn son around the clock, Zechariah also had to relieve his wife – who was following traditional Chinese confinement rules – in running all the family’s errands.

The Associate Director with Temasek’s Enterprise Development Unit counts himself lucky he received his manager’s full blessings to take a straight two weeks’ leave from the 20 days of paternity leave he is entitled to.

Adds Zechariah candidly: “It’s not the easiest decision to go on extended leave as I knew my colleagues would have to cover my work for me. But their support made it possible, and the fact that I could be constantly there for my son and wife is a priceless experience I will never forget.”

Equally thankful was wife Carrie Chaw, who also works for Temasek. Says the Senior Associate with Organisation & People: “It was an emotional roller coaster as my body was adjusting to the hormonal upheaval that was taking place after a tough labour. Having Zec there to always encourage me kept me sane while we adjusted to new routines.”

Watching Yim Mei and her children interact, we were struck by the closeness they shared. The three of them laughed and joked openly with one another. It wasn’t always this way, as the 42-year-old Senior Officer with Organisation & People readily admits.

“It was only these two years that my children realised that I could cook some of their favourite food, like steamed prawns and mee sua!” quips the mother of two, who has been with Temasek for the past 15 years but moved to part-time work in 2013.

Aside from the quiet satisfaction of watching her family savour the dishes she whips up, Yim Mei also enjoys spending time revising schoolwork together with her children. This has helped her better understand the challenges they face in school.

“It’s been a blessing to be able to spend their growing up years with them. We are a lot closer now, and they know I will always be there for them.”

When Alison Lim’s one-year-old son Lester was down with a bad bout of stomach flu late last year, the 35-year-old working mother knew she had to take a leave of absence from work as her retired parents were already busy tending to her other two young children.

The Associate Director with Temasek’s Finance Department counts herself fortunate to be able to tap on Family Sick Leave, which is special leave the company grants to staff when their family members fall ill. This leave is deducted from staff’s own medical leave entitlement. This allowed Alison to focus on nursing Lester at home as he did not have much appetite.

“My parents are my children’s main caregivers when I am at work, but having flexibility with my leave, as well as understanding colleagues and bosses, was such a great help during worrying times like these,” Alison shares gratefully.

Now that Lester is back to his usual lively, bouncy self, Alison is happily back at work. She however always makes it a point to bring her children out to parks and indoor playgrounds during the weekends – to forge more happy memories with them, but also to give her parents a breather!