Do algorithms reflect our anxieties? 

Choice overload: Did it erode mums' instinct?

The comparison trap 

Rahayu on mum guilt

Screen time struggles

Keeping it real on social media

Can we be less competitive?

The tuition dilemma

Using social media as a tool, not a trap

Finding a mum community IRL

No algorithm knows your child more than you

Mothers today have more advice than ever before. But when does helpful information become overwhelming, and what can we do about it? 

Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday.

Social media has become a lifeline for many mothers - offering advice, reassurance and community at the tap of a screen. But what happens when the endless parenting tips and constant comparison start to undermine our confidence instead?

In this episode, host Vanessa Chelvan sits down with Huda Rasid, founder of The Mum Collective, and Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam to talk candidly about the pressures of raising children in the digital age.

From information overload to screen time guilt and the pressures of competitive parenting, they unpack why so many mothers feel like they're constantly falling short - even when they're doing their best.

The conversation also explores practical ways to build a healthier relationship with social media, trust your own instincts again and find real support beyond the screen - reminding parents that no algorithm knows their child better than they do.

Highlights (click/tap above):

5:20 Do social media algorithms reflect our anxieties back at us? 

9:54 Too many choices have eroded mums' confidence in their own instincts 

13:00 Getting caught in the comparison trap  

18:04 Rahayu on mum guilt and parenting her son 

23:45 Screen time struggles and why parents may feel judged 

27:50 Keeping it real on social media and examining your own triggers around screentime 

33:08 Intensive mothering: Can we be less competitive?

37:42 The tuition dilemma 

41:42 Using social media as a tool, not a trap

45:10 Finding a mum community IRL

47:50 No algorithm knows your child better than you do

Host: Vanessa Chelvan (vpchelvan@sph.com.sg)

Read Vanessa's articles: https://str.sg/gr5Z

Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jHdJ 

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Elizabeth Law

—

Follow The Mother Load limited series every Friday (July 3-31):

Channel: https://str.sg/oMofY 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/8Kbv 

Spotify: https://str.sg/DELD 

Youtube: https://str.sg/HnaV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg 

—

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: https://str.sg/HnaV

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB 

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#themotherload

Mothers today have more advice than ever before. But when does helpful information become overwhelming, and what can we do about it?&nbsp;
Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday.
Social media has become a lifeline for many mothers - offering advice, reassurance and community at the tap of a screen. But what happens when the endless parenting tips and constant comparison start to undermine our confidence instead?
In this episode, host Vanessa Chelvan sits down with Huda Rasid, founder of The Mum Collective, and Minister of State Rahayu Mahzam to talk candidly about the pressures of raising children in the digital age.
From information overload to screen time guilt and the pressures of competitive parenting, they unpack why so many mothers feel like they're constantly falling short - even when they're doing their best.
The conversation also explores practical ways to build a healthier relationship with social media, trust your own instincts again and find real support beyond the screen - reminding parents that no algorithm knows their child better than they do.
Highlights (click/tap above):
5:20 Do social media algorithms reflect our anxieties back at us?&nbsp; 9:54 Too many choices have eroded mums' confidence in their own instincts&nbsp; 13:00 Getting caught in the comparison trap&nbsp; 18:04 Rahayu on mum guilt and parenting her son 23:45 Screen time struggles and why parents may feel judged 27:50 Keeping it real on social media and examining your own triggers around screentime 33:08 Intensive mothering: Can we be less competitive? 37:42 The tuition dilemma 41:42 Using social media as a tool, not a trap 45:10 Finding a mum community IRL 47:50 No algorithm knows your child better than you do
Host: Vanessa Chelvan (<a href="mailto:vpchelvan@sph.com.sg">vpchelvan@sph.com.sg</a>)
Read Vanessa's articles: <a href="https://str.sg/gr5Z">https://str.sg/gr5Z</a>
Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://str.sg/jHdJ">https://str.sg/jHdJ</a>&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Elizabeth Law
&mdash;
Follow The Mother Load limited series every Friday (July 3-31):
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/oMofY">https://str.sg/oMofY</a>&nbsp;
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/8Kbv">https://str.sg/8Kbv</a>&nbsp;
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/DELD">https://str.sg/DELD</a>&nbsp;
Youtube: <a href="https://str.sg/HnaV">https://str.sg/HnaV</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>&nbsp;
&mdash;
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: <a href="https://str.sg/wvz7">https://str.sg/wvz7</a>&nbsp;
Get more updates: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>&nbsp;
Watch The Mother Load on YouTube: <a href="https://str.sg/HnaV">https://str.sg/HnaV</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store: <a href="https://str.sg/icyB">https://str.sg/icyB</a>&nbsp;
Google Play: <a href="https://str.sg/icyX">https://str.sg/icyX</a>
#themotherload

Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday.

This series isn’t just for mums – it’s for anyone trying to make sense of where careers and motherhood intersect. Through candid conversations and lived experiences, we unpack the issues shaping everyday decisions - from childcare and career progression to guilt, ambition and the invisible mental load.

Host: Vanessa Chelvan

Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Elizabeth Law

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Join us for a five-part series on working motherhood from July 3-31 with episodes out every Friday.
This series isn&rsquo;t just for mums &ndash; it&rsquo;s for anyone trying to make sense of where careers and motherhood intersect. Through candid conversations and lived experiences, we unpack the issues shaping everyday decisions - from childcare and career progression to guilt, ambition and the invisible mental load.
Host: Vanessa Chelvan
Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Elizabeth Law
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.