SG Mum Swaps 18Hr Work Days For Swedish Slopes & Family Time

Sassy Mama

2 days ago

'Kids here really get to be kids… Preschool is all about play, and kids spend loads of time outdoors—the Swedish attitude is 'there's no bad weather, only bad clothes.' The focus is on emotional growth, independence and just letting them enjoy childhood, which is such a breath of fresh air compared to the very structured, achievement-focused system I grew up with.'
Singaporean mum-of-two, Hana Yusof, lives in Järfälla, a suburb in the Stockholm region, Sweden, with her Swedish husband Erik Sahlström. Hana, who works in tech, met Erik in Singapore when he was DJ-ing and she was working 18-hour days–she says she had to drag him back home to Sweden! They're now happily living a slower, more balanced outdoorsy life, spending a lot of time on the slopes with their two kids, Hugo, who is 12 years old and Maya, 9. One of the biggest pluses of life in Sweden? The work-life balance, where Hana says, 'People here really respect personal time, and there's no pressure to always be 'on'. I used to feel like if I wasn't constantly productive, I was falling behind. Life in Sweden helped me understand that rest is just as important as ambition.' We chat with Hana about her experience of giving birth and raising kids in Sweden, and how life abroad has given her a deeper understanding of what it means to be Singaporean.
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When did you move to Sweden and what were the reasons you decided to move there?
We moved to Sweden in 2012 for the amazing weather… just kidding! I was born and raised in Chai Chee, Singapore. Erik is Swedish, but at the time, he'd been living the good life in Jakarta, Bali, and Singapore for about 10 years as a DJ. We actually met in Singapore when he was studying at the School of Audio Engineering (SAE).
The move was mainly about wanting a better work-life balance. I was running my own design agency back then, and 18-hour workdays were pretty standard. I couldn't see myself keeping that up with a family in the picture. Erik was perfectly happy in Singapore—I kind of had to drag him back home to Sweden! But in the end, it turned out to be the best decision for us. Now we've built a life here that's active, outdoorsy, and way more balanced (even if I still miss my hawker food!).
Favourite aspect about living in Sweden?
What I love most about living here is the quiet, humble, nature-loving vibe. Life feels slower in a good way, and we spend so much time outdoors as a family—whether we're snowboarding, hiking, or just hanging out in the forest.
The work-life balance is a big one, too. Coming from the super fast-paced lifestyle in Singapore, it was such a refreshing change. People here really respect personal time, and there's no pressure to always be 'on.'
And I really appreciate how everyone gets a fair shot here—no matter your race, religion, or income level. There's a strong sense of equality, and that kind of environment feels really good to raise a family in.
And the worst part?
Definitely November. It's dark, grey, and feels like the sun disappears for the whole month—it's a real mood.
I also really miss my family and my old, true friends back in Singapore. That kind of connection is hard to replace. While we've built a lovely life here, it's not the same as having those people who've known you forever just a short drive or MRT ride away.
And honestly, no one really 'passes by' Stockholm. Friends and relatives are always popping over to London or Paris, but Stockholm isn't exactly on the way to anywhere, so we don't get many spontaneous visits!
How do you think parenting (and schools) in Sweden differs from Singapore? What do you appreciate most about it?
Kids here really get to be kids. There's a lot less pressure—especially in the early years. The focus is more on emotional growth, independence, and just letting them enjoy childhood, which is such a breath of fresh air compared to the very structured, achievement-focused system I grew up with.
Preschool is all about play, and kids spend loads of time outdoors—rain, snow, sunshine, it doesn't matter. The Swedish attitude is 'there's no bad weather, only bad clothes.' My kids have built snow forts, climbed trees in the rain, and they just get so much out of that connection with nature.
When it comes to academics, it's way more relaxed. There are only mandatory national exams in Grades 3, 6, and 9—and even then, there's no class ranking. No top student lists, no scores published publicly. Most of the time, kids don't even know how their classmates did, which really removes that competitive pressure.
If a child needs more help or extra challenges, there's support either way. It's not one-size-fits-all, and that's something I've really grown to appreciate. It helps the kids feel safe and confident, and actually enjoy learning. Teachers here are also really approachable. It feels like you're working with them, not just being told what to do as a parent. They know the kids well—not just academically, but who they are as people. Education is totally free all the way through university, and yes—if they go on to higher studies, they actually get paid to do it. That still amazes me.
On top of that, kids are treated equally no matter their background, which makes it feel really inclusive.
But what I love most is the freedom. The freedom to grow at your own pace, to be a kid, to figure out who you are without all the pressure. It's such a gift, and I'm really grateful our kids get to experience that.
What do you find is the hardest part of being a parent living in a foreign country?
The hardest part has definitely been the lack of babysitting or close-by family support. When the kids were younger, Erik and I barely had date nights.
His parents live seven hours away, and while we're grateful for the rare visits from either side of the family, we had to make the most of those precious days—cramming as many date nights in as possible. It made us more independent, but it wasn't easy in those early years.
Were your kids born in Sweden? Anything stand out?
Yep—both Hugo and Maya were born in Sweden, and childbirth here was almost free! I had a c-section with Hugo and a natural birth with Maya, so I got the full experience.
With Maya, I had terrible back pain in the last months—I could barely walk. Thankfully, I was able to take parental leave before giving birth. In Sweden, we get 480 days of leave per child to split between parents. It's not a big payout, but it covers the basics, and more importantly, there's no pressure to rush back to work.
Erik got 10 paid days off right after the birth, which was a lifesaver. And honestly, I was kind of relieved not to be in Singapore during the newborn stage. Back home, you usually get a 'confinement auntie' who moves in, cooks you 'healthy Asian food' (read: fried chicken wings), and takes over the baby while the husband disappears into the background—because you're seen as too 'fragile' or 'unpure' to do much.
In Sweden, it's real teamwork. Just me, Erik, a tiny baby, and a whole lot of trial and error. It wasn't always easy, but I'm really glad I did it this way.
Tell us about your career pre- and post-kids
Before kids, I was running my own design agency in Singapore. It was intense—late nights, weekends, never really switching off. Everything was about the next pitch, the next client, the next project. How many deals could I close? How much money could I make? That was the measure of success.
I used to think my career was the most important thing—what drove me and gave life meaning. And while I still care a lot about doing work I enjoy, becoming a parent and moving to Sweden really shifted my perspective. Work is important, but it's just one part of life—not the whole thing.
Here, no one really talks about how much they earn (which makes sense because income tax is so high—you've got to be really earning to live flashy). Instead, people focus on whether you enjoy your job. The mindset here is: if you're fulfilled, success will follow. And that balance has shown me what truly matters—my well-being and my family.
Now Erik and I both work in tech, and we're lucky to have flexible jobs. We work from home a few days a week, take turns doing drop-offs, managing training schedules, squeezing in a quick run or climb, and logging back on in the evenings if needed. It's not always calm, but it works for us.
Every time I go back to Singapore and see friends with helpers—doing laundry, cooking, and especially scrubbing toilets—I get a little envious. That is true luxury. But hey, I've learned how to clean bathrooms between meetings. It's not glamorous, but it gets done—and it's oddly satisfying.
And honestly, I'm grateful for being Singaporean and for my early career experience. Singapore gave me a strong foundation—the drive, the discipline, the attention to detail—and that stays with me. Most people I've met here know how successful Singapore is, and whenever I mention my background, it's met with a lot of respect. It's something I'm really proud of.
We love how your family leads such an active life—tell us about that.
We're 100% addicted to adrenaline. We all snowboard and Maya competes at the national level). Hugo has swim competitions and his own teenage life in Stockholm, so Erik and I take turns. One of us stays back with Hugo while the other takes Maya up to the mountains.
Erik runs marathons, and I go climbing plus I started gymnastics at 41 to improve flexibility and mobility for snowboarding—yes, I can do front flips now, and I still get a rush just thinking about it.
A few years ago, I tried springboard diving for a season just for fun, and unbelievably, Maya picked it up too. Now she trains diving three times a week and competes whenever snowboarding takes a back seat.
Is there something you do to keep your children in touch with their Singaporean roots?
We visit Singapore every year, and I teach them the basics of Malay culture and Islamic traditions—like greeting elders with salam, using the right hand to receive things, calling adults 'auntie' or 'uncle,' and even basic prayers, which they can recite by heart. I'm really proud of that.
On raising multilingual children…
It's a chaotic mix! Erik speaks Swedish with the kids, and we speak English with each other. I speak Bahasa with them (except when I'm angry or in a rush!). They usually reply in English or Swedish, but they understand everything.
They know both formal Bahasa Indonesia and even Bahasa Melayu pasar when I speak with my mom. Honestly, we might need to find a new secret language soon—they're catching on to everything!
What's the first thing you do when you land in Singapore?
Eat, obviously! First stop: roti prata with dalcha—with my hands, of course. Then it's pandan waffles or pandan chiffon cake from a bakery under an HDB block. And nasi padang… I dream about it. The second we land, it's straight to the food.
Top five places in or around Sweden for parents with kids:
1. Stockholm: Super stroller-friendly, easy to get around, lots of free museums for kids. Great halal, Asian, vegetarian and vegan food options.
Favourites: Junibacken, Skansen, Vasamuseet, Tekniska Museet, Gamla Stan.
2. Åre: Take the overnight train from Stockholm and wake up in a snowy mountain village. Slopes for all levels, sledding, great food. Kids love it!
3. Malmö: Diverse, relaxed, and just across the bridge from Copenhagen. Good halal food, parks, beaches, and indoor play spaces.
4. Gothenburg: Friendly vibe. Home to Liseberg amusement park and Universeum science centre. So many play cafés!
5. A nature cabin getaway: Rent a simple cabin by a lake, BBQ, hike, pick berries. The kids love the freedom and fresh air is next level.
What's the local cuisine like and do you eat out or cook at home?
We mostly eat at home. Contrary to what people might think, we don't eat Swedish meatballs every day! They're more of a special occasion dish. What really stands out in Swedish food culture is the obsession with sauces. There's a sauce for literally everything. Bearnaise sauce here is what chilli sauce is to Singapore—essential, and goes with way more things than it probably should.
And let's not forget fika. Swedes are obsessed with it. At around 3pm every day, offices pause for coffee and something sweet—usually cinnamon buns, carrot cake, or kärleksmums (a kind of chocolate coconut cake).
What's the one thing you would miss about Sweden if you moved away?
Oh, so many things. But if I had to pick just one—it's the space. The quiet, the nature, the ability to breathe. We've got forests right outside the city, lakes around every corner, and trails you can run without seeing another person for half an hour. That kind of stillness is rare and so calming.
I'd miss the seasons—especially winter. I know that sounds crazy to some people, but I honestly can't imagine life without snow now. Snowboarding every weekend, the crisp cold air, running in the woods while everything's covered in white—it's become our rhythm as a family. It's our happy place.
And then there's the work culture. I love that people actually log off at 4pm to pick up their kids, that fika breaks are sacred, and no one expects you to be constantly reachable. The balance here has taught me so much about what really matters—my well-being, time with my kids, and not feeling guilty for resting.
I'd also miss how grounded and humble everyday life is. No one here cares what car you drive or what brand your clothes are. It's about enjoying the small things—like grilled sausages by a frozen lake, hanging laundry in the summer sun, or walking barefoot on warm rocks by the water.
And I know the kids would miss it too. They've grown up snowboarding, biking to school, jumping in lakes after dinner. They have so much freedom here. They know the woods like their backyard, and they're used to fresh air, open skies, and seasons that change the world around them.
What do you dread and look forward to most about moving back to Singapore?
If my parents ever needed me, I'd be ready to move back. I'm prepared to do that when the time comes—family comes first. But after being away for 13 years, I honestly don't know how I'd adapt.
I'd definitely look forward to being close to my family and lifelong friends again. There's comfort in being around people who've known you forever, and I know the kids would love having their grandparents and cousins nearby. And of course—Singapore's unbeatable when it comes to convenience and food.
What I'd miss is the space, the quiet, and the slower rhythm we've gotten used to here. Life in Sweden is more relaxed, and I'm not sure I'd easily adjust to the fast-paced energy again. My kids have grown up with so much independence and freedom here—I think it would be a big change for them too. Also, let's be honest… I'm not sure I'm ready for that full-body humidity again!
So while I know I'd go back in a heartbeat for my family, I also know it would be a huge adjustment—for all of us.
How do you think Singaporeans can benefit from living overseas?
Living overseas challenges you in ways you can't really prepare for—it pulls you out of everything that feels familiar and safe. But in that discomfort, you grow. You question things you always took for granted. You learn how other people live, think, and raise their kids. It gives you perspective—on your own country, your culture, and yourself.
It also teaches you to slow down. Coming from Singapore's fast-paced lifestyle, I used to feel like if I wasn't constantly busy or productive, I was falling behind. Living in Sweden gave me space to breathe and helped me understand that rest is just as important as ambition. I left for a better balance. I stayed for the peace. And along the way, I found out who I really am outside the noise.
And strangely enough, being far away has made me appreciate Singapore even more. The food, the warmth of the people, the shared cultural shorthand that only Singaporeans really get—I didn't realise how much that mattered until I was no longer surrounded by it.
For many Singaporeans, living overseas can spark a journey with identity. You might go through phases of feeling disconnected from your roots—maybe even embarrassed at times, trying to blend in or not stand out. But over time, there's often a rediscovery. A deeper understanding of what it means to be Singaporean, and pride in where you come from. That's been true for me, and I've seen it happen to others too. I hope that by living this way—blending cultures, staying curious, and keeping our roots alive—we're also showing our kids that they don't have to choose just one version of themselves. They can be both. They can be all of it.
And hopefully one day, they'll look back and feel proud of every part of who they are. Living overseas doesn't make you less Singaporean—it just gives you more layers. It expands your worldview without erasing your roots. We'll always be a little torn between two homes, but honestly, I think that's a beautiful kind of privilege.
'You don't lose your roots—you grow new branches.'
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