I don't plan to publish any article this weekend but seeing the jerebu situation is getting worse and I knew it's effect our weekend routine so I decided to write and publish one article about this.
Being a working mom is never easy. Every day comes with a long list of responsibilities, from preparing our children for school and travelling to work to attending meetings, meeting deadlines and managing household chores.
But when jerebu hits, our daily lives can become even more challenging.
For a working mother, jerebu is not just about looking at a hazy sky or experiencing hot weather. It also brings concerns about our children's health, our own well-being and how we can continue managing our responsibilities when the air quality is poor.
As mothers, we naturally want to protect our children. At the same time, we have work commitments that cannot always be postponed. We still need to attend meetings, complete assignments and fulfil our responsibilities at home.
Kadangkala, cabaran sebenar seorang ibu bekerja bukan sekadar menguruskan kerja dan keluarga, tetapi bagaimana kita menghadapi situasi yang di luar kawalan kita sambil memastikan orang tersayang berada dalam keadaan selamat.
In this article, let's talk about how jerebu can affect the lives of working moms and some practical ways we can protect our families while managing our everyday responsibilities.
1. Worrying About Our Children's Health
One of the biggest concerns for any mother during jerebu is her child's health.
When the air quality deteriorates, parents may start asking questions. Is it safe for our children to play outside? Should they attend outdoor activities? What if they develop a cough or experience breathing difficulties?
These concerns can be particularly challenging for working mothers who need to send their children to school or childcare before heading to work.
We cannot always stay beside our children throughout the day. Instead, we rely on teachers, childcare providers and other family members to help care for them.
That is why checking the air quality and following school announcements become important parts of our daily routine during the haze season.
For mothers with young children, it may also mean finding alternative indoor activities to keep them entertained when outdoor play is not advisable.
Sebagai ibu, kita mahu anak-anak membesar dengan sihat dan aktif. Namun, apabila jerebu melanda, kita perlu menyesuaikan aktiviti harian mereka demi menjaga kesihatan.
Sometimes, being a responsible parent means explaining to our children why they cannot play outside as usual, even when they do not fully understand the situation.
2. Trying to Stay Productive at Work
Imagine starting your working day with concerns about the air quality, your child's health and the arrangements you need to make at home.
Then, you arrive at work and your emails, meetings and deadlines are waiting for you.
This is one of the realities working mothers may face during periods of poor air quality.
Even when we are physically present at work, our minds may be occupied with family concerns. If we experience headaches, fatigue or respiratory irritation, concentrating on our tasks can become more difficult.
For mothers who work in an office, travelling to and from work may also involve exposure to polluted outdoor air. For those who work outdoors or commute long distances, the challenges can be even greater.
Unfortunately, work responsibilities do not automatically disappear when the weather becomes unhealthy.
However, we can make small adjustments where possible. We can prioritise urgent tasks, take appropriate breaks, discuss flexible arrangements with our employers and avoid unnecessary outdoor meetings when air quality is poor.
Kadangkala, kita bukan tidak mahu memberikan yang terbaik di tempat kerja. Kita cuma perlu menguruskan lebih banyak perkara dalam satu masa, termasuk kebimbangan terhadap kesihatan diri dan keluarga.
It is important to remember that productivity should not come at the expense of our health. If we are feeling unwell, we should take the necessary steps to care for ourselves and seek medical advice when needed.
3. Daily Routines and Outdoor Activities Need to Change
Jerebu can also disrupt the routines that make family life enjoyable.
Weekend outings, playground visits, outdoor exercise and family picnics may need to be postponed when air quality becomes unhealthy.
For children who enjoy spending time outdoors, staying inside can feel frustrating. For parents, it may mean finding new ways to keep them occupied while managing household responsibilities.
A simple weekend plan can suddenly require extra preparation.
Instead of going to the park, we might need to organise indoor activities, prepare meals at home or look for suitable indoor places with cleaner air.
These changes may seem small, but they can add to the mental load of a working mother who is already balancing work, parenting and household duties.
Here are a few indoor activities to consider when outdoor play is not advisable:
Reading books together or having a family reading session.
Drawing, colouring or doing simple arts and crafts.
Playing board games or puzzles.
Preparing a simple meal or snack together.
Having a movie afternoon or a family storytelling session.
Trying age-appropriate educational activities at home.
Of course, indoor activities should take place in an environment with reasonably clean air. Avoid assuming that every indoor public space is free from haze exposure.
Kita mungkin tidak dapat mengawal keadaan cuaca, tetapi kita masih boleh mencari cara untuk menjadikan masa bersama keluarga bermakna.
Sometimes, the best family plan is simply to slow down, stay indoors and enjoy time together.
4. What About Our Own Health as Working Moms?
As mothers, we often put our children's needs first. We think about their meals, school, safety and comfort, sometimes forgetting to check how we are feeling ourselves.
But working moms are also affected by poor air quality.
Exposure to haze can cause or worsen symptoms such as eye irritation, throat irritation, coughing and breathing difficulties. Some people may also experience worsening asthma or other existing respiratory conditions.
At the same time, the usual demands of working life continue. We still have to wake up early, prepare our children, travel to work, complete our tasks and return home to another set of responsibilities.
When we are already tired, dealing with discomfort caused by poor air quality can make the day feel even longer.
This is why taking care of ourselves matters just as much as taking care of our children.
We can begin with simple steps: checking the Air Pollutant Index (API), reducing unnecessary exposure to polluted air, drinking enough water, getting adequate rest and seeking medical advice if symptoms develop or worsen.
If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, follow your healthcare professional's advice on managing it during periods of haze.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience severe breathing difficulties or other serious symptoms.
Ibu yang menjaga diri sendiri bukanlah ibu yang mementingkan diri. Kita juga manusia yang memerlukan rehat, penjagaan dan perhatian.
We cannot pour from an empty cup. Looking after our health helps us continue caring for the people who depend on us.
5. Practical Tips for Working Moms During Jerebu
Although we cannot control the weather, we can take practical steps to reduce our family's exposure and make our routines more manageable.
Check the Air Pollutant Index (API)
Before leaving home, check the latest air-quality readings for your area through official Malaysian air-quality updates.
Pay attention to health advisories, especially if you have young children, older family members or anyone with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
Reduce Outdoor Activities When Air Quality Is Poor
When air pollution reaches unhealthy levels, reduce strenuous outdoor activities and follow official recommendations.
This includes outdoor exercise, playground visits and other activities that may increase the amount of polluted air we breathe.
Keep Indoor Air as Clean as Possible
When outdoor air is polluted, close windows and doors where practical and safe to do so. If you have an appropriate air purifier, use it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Avoid adding indoor pollution through cigarette smoke, incense, candles or other sources of particles.
Wear an Appropriate Mask When Needed
A well-fitting N95 or equivalent particulate respirator can help reduce exposure to fine particles when worn correctly. Ordinary surgical masks generally provide less protection against fine haze particles.
Choose a suitable mask and follow health advice, particularly for children and people with breathing difficulties.
Plan Your Day in Advance
Check the air quality before planning your commute, errands or family activities.
If possible, group essential errands together, move outdoor activities indoors and speak to your employer about temporary flexible arrangements when conditions warrant them.
Communicate With Your Child's School or Childcare Provider
Stay informed about school announcements, outdoor activity restrictions and any relevant health precautions.
Make sure the school or childcare provider knows how to contact you if your child becomes unwell.
Give Yourself Permission to Rest
Not every day will go according to plan. If you are feeling unwell, reassess your priorities and seek medical advice when appropriate.
Rest is not a reward that working mothers must earn after completing every task. It is part of taking care of our health.
6. A Gentle Reminder to Every Working Mom
Jerebu reminds us that not everything in our daily lives is within our control.
We can plan our schedules, prepare our children for school and organise our work tasks, but environmental conditions can still disrupt our routines.
During these times, it is worth reminding ourselves that we do not have to manage every situation perfectly.
Some days, we may need to postpone family outings. Other days, we may have to adjust our work schedules or ask for help with childcare.
And sometimes, all we can do is focus on what matters most: protecting our health, caring for our children and taking things one day at a time.
Tidak mengapa jika rutin harian kita berubah ketika jerebu. Tidak mengapa jika ada perkara yang perlu ditangguhkan. Kesihatan dan keselamatan keluarga tetap menjadi keutamaan.
We do not need to feel guilty for making reasonable adjustments during difficult circumstances. Being a good working mom does not mean doing everything without difficulty. It means learning to make thoughtful decisions for ourselves and our families.
Our Families' Health Comes First
Jerebu affects more than the appearance of our skies. It can influence our health, work productivity, children's activities and the everyday routines we sometimes take for granted.
For working mothers, these challenges can feel particularly complicated because we are balancing professional responsibilities with the constant desire to keep our families safe and healthy.
While we cannot control when jerebu arrives or how long it lasts, we can stay informed, follow official health advice, make practical adjustments and remember to care for ourselves along the way.
To every working mom reading this: please take care of yourself, too. Your health matters just as much as the health of the people you love.
Untuk semua ibu bekerja, semoga kita terus kuat menghadapi cabaran harian. Namun, jangan lupa bahawa kita juga berhak untuk berehat, mendapatkan bantuan dan menjaga kesihatan diri sendiri.
Let's support one another through these challenging days.
Let's Share Our Experiences
Have you ever had to change your family's routine because of jerebu? How do you manage your work responsibilities while protecting your children's health?
I'd love to hear your experiences and tips in the comments. Let's learn from one another as working mothers.
Because sometimes, knowing that another mother understands what we are going through makes the journey a little easier.
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