As another Mother’s Day came and went, Jaslyn Ng found herself reflecting on the annual tributes and celebration, hoping for the day when workplaces move beyond symbolic gestures to genuinely value the contributions and perspectives of mothers.
It’s always beautiful to see people pouring their hearts out on Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day, dedicating tributes to the strong, selfless women in their lives. Yet it’s disappointing that these same qualities are often overlooked in the workplace. In my opinion, when women are given job security and the right support, they thrive – and their contributions become invaluable.
Motherhood has changed the way I see the world, and, in turn, how I design for it.
I never truly appreciated the importance of accessibility until I found myself pushing a stroller, carefully navigating footpaths, looking for ramps, and hoping for just a little extra space. Suddenly, all the minimum clearances I once drew on paper made perfect sense. I felt firsthand the relief of finding a semi-private nook to settle my baby while out and about. These moments made me a more critical thinker when I returned to my drawing board, no longer just designing spaces but truly understanding them.
Watching my children grow has taught me the power of flexibility – not just in life but in spatial design too. Children are unpredictable; what works today might not work tomorrow. I have learned, through trial and error, how to adapt, how to let go of rigid expectations, and how to embrace the unexpected. This ability to listen, adjust and evolve has made me a better designer and a better collaborator.
My daughter’s ASD and ADHD diagnosis opened my eyes to something I had never truly considered before. I grew up in a culture where neurodivergence was often misunderstood and dismissed as misbehaviour or a lack of intelligence. But now I see the world differently. I notice the sounds, the textures and the hidden stressors in environments that most people don’t think twice about. This awareness has become an essential part of how I approach design and workplace relationships.
These are just a few of the lessons motherhood has given me – lessons that have made me a more thoughtful, empathetic architect. If I hadn’t walked this path, I might still be designing in one dimension, unaware of the complexities that shape real human experiences.
And so here is my plea to the industry: Support women with children. Give them the flexibility to fulfil their responsibilities without fear or guilt. Offer them security so they can focus on excelling in their work. Be conscious of biases – whether in hiring, promotions, or daily interactions. We cannot claim to be designing for a diverse, inclusive and sustainable future while ignoring the very people who bring these values to life.
This Mother’s Day, you might have reflected on your mother’s strength and resilience. Now, imagine if she had been given more opportunities – more support, more recognition. And better yet, imagine being the one who provides that opportunity to the women around you today!
Jaslyn Ng is a Chinese-Malaysian-born registered architect, architectural illustrator, and a devoted mother with over 20 years of experience in health, education, and public projects across Australia and Asia. Jaslyn is passionate about architectural illustrations and storytelling, combining her creative skills to foster diversity and wellbeing. She is a published contributor and was featured in Architect Victoria for Migration Women Architecture.
