My journey with children began long before I became a mother.

When I was in Form 3 (Year 9 in Australia), I wrote a Chinese composition about my dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. I was the top student in Chinese in my class, probably because I really liked my Chinese teacher, who inspired me to work hard.

Later, during university, I decided to pursue paediatric physiotherapy. Although my career path changed, my interest in working with children remained. I never imagined how much becoming a mother would add to that journey.

The Beginning of Motherhood

My journey into motherhood began more than a year before I became pregnant.

I spent over a year preparing for pregnancy, visiting a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner every week and strictly avoiding anything cold, including cold drinks and ice cream. I was looking forward to having a baby and wanted to prepare myself as well as I could.

When I finally discovered I was pregnant, I felt excited and happy, but also worried. Before realising I was pregnant, I had taken a particular Chinese herbal medicine twice that I later learnt was unsuitable during pregnancy. I couldn't help worrying about whether it might have affected my baby.

During my pregnancy, I often worked late at the hospital. I remember singing the ABC song to my baby while I was working, with him still in my womb. To my delight, the first song he learnt to sing was the ABC song! That little connection between us has always stayed with me.

The Early Days

After my son was born by Caesarean section, I experienced the baby blues. I still remember insisting on walking to the nursery to see him, even while I was attached to an intravenous drip. I just wanted to be close to him.

Breastfeeding was another challenge, with inflammation, pain and discomfort. I sought help from a lactation consultant and, despite the difficulties, continued breastfeeding until he was two years old.

My professional knowledge also became part of my everyday life as a mother.

As my son had been in the breech position, I arranged a hip ultrasound shortly after birth to screen for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). When he was three, I also requested a pelvic X-ray to check his hip development.

When he was just over a month old, I noticed that he continued to hold his thumbs adducted into his palms. I immediately began early intervention exercises and took him to an occupational therapist, who made a night splint for him.

I also took him to an ophthalmologist before he was one month old. He started wearing glasses at two, and I still remember his reaction when he could suddenly see the world more clearly. It was such a special moment to witness.

Watching Him Grow

Like many parents, I treasured all those little firsts — his first smile, first laugh, first grasp, his babbling to his stuffed animal friends, his first words and first steps.

I even entered him in a baby crawling competition, where he won first place! These little memories still make me smile.

As he grew older, I wanted to be involved in his school life, even while working full-time.

I remember writing the script for my son's group drama performance at school. On the day of the performance, I travelled an hour to work, another hour to his school to watch the children perform, then an hour back to work before finally making the hour-long journey home.

I still remember how excited my son was to see me there. It made all that travelling worthwhile.

And now, that little boy is 18 and attending university. Sometimes I wonder where all those years have gone!

Growing Together

Being a paediatric physiotherapist gave me a strong foundation in child development, but becoming a mother brought a different perspective.

I knew about developmental milestones, assessments and interventions. Yet I also experienced the worries, uncertainties and everyday challenges of raising a child, while trying to balance my clinical work with family life.

Throughout my career, I have supported many children and families, sometimes watching them grow over 10 years. At the same time, I was learning and growing alongside my own son.

Now, eighteen years later, we have begun a new chapter of our lives in Melbourne.

Through Bloomwise Physio, I hope to share not only my professional knowledge, but also some of the personal experiences that have shaped the way I understand and support children and their families.

Children grow, and we grow older and wiser.

Together, we Bloomwise! 🌻