Podcaster Says, ‘Children Are Not A Hindrance To Our Dreams, They Will Fuel You To Drive Better’

TV Presenter, podcast host, and keynote speaker Joyce Pring, recently touched on an increasingly popular lifestyle choice among modern couples. On an episode of “Adulting with Joyce Pring,” Joyce and her husband, actor and host Juancho Triviño discussed the concept of DINK, or Dual Income No Kids couples, and the ever-changing perceptions of family life, especially relating to career and personal aspirations.

At the start of the podcast entitled “Rise of the Dinks,” Joyce reflects on her and Juancho’s decision to start a family. Joyce candidly shared, “When Juancho and I got married, we were both 26, and at 26, Juancho was like, I want to have a baby… And initially, I was the person that said I don’t want a baby. I want to pursue my career until I’m 30 and then when I’m 30 we can start thinking about a baby.”

“I felt like I was at the top of my career, I had so many things going on for me. I was still on TV, I was doing all of these other international things and then I was hosting a lot of events, I had a lot of endorsements. So parang ako, no absolutely not, I’m not gonna get pregnant and raise a child at the height of my career and then I had to pray about it and then it was months and months of prayer and you know what God revealed in my heart?” Joyce then went on to share what made her reconsider motherhood.

“It was this understanding or it was this assumption that the best thing that I could ever offer the world is my talent, my time, my treasures through my work.

“That was it in my head. That was the best thing that I could offer. But instead, God was calling me to an even higher purpose of motherhood where I understood na hindi pala nag-e-end sa career yung macocontribute mo sa mundo. And sometimes, actually I will say a blanket statement, na mas importante yung isang buhay that you can be a vessel to bring into the world, that you can help mold, love, care for, nurture, guide, and teach.”

The mom of two then emphasized, “That’s even more important than whatever amount of money, fame, or success that you could get in a career.”

Joyce then admits that the changes associated with parenting is hard, “So that was a hard change that really happened but I say that with a caveat, I do understand why some people don’t want to have kids and I do understand why some women are you know, careful about pursuing to have children in their marriage because it’ very very difficult. Let’s be honest, having children will call you to be the most sacrificial, the most selfless, and perhaps the most exhausting journey of your life.

“It is the best thing ever, we love it so much, it’s the biggest blessing of our lives. But it is absolutely, absolutely not for the faint-hearted because it’s really difficult.”

Children are not a hindrance to one’s career

When asked for their advice for people who might still be on the fence about having kids “because of the practical things that scare them about having kids–it’s going to change my body, it’s going to change my lifestyle, it’s going to cost me financially, who can afford children in this economy?”

Joyce responded that a couple will manage to raise their chosen family, no matter the difficulties, “If you really want to have a baby, no matter how hard it is, you can survive. Obviously I’m talking from a standpoint of you’re not that poor in life… I assure you, if you’re stable, if you are a smart worker, and if you continue on that path, just working and working smart, working hard even, you can do it.”

She then challenged the notion that the most important thing that women can contribute to society is their career accomplishments, “I want to address this to all women out there… who have been lied to by society that the most important thing that you can amount to is the career that you put out there. Let me tell you as somebody who was very successful at her career, that there is nothing, absolutely nothing that has given me more life than my family and my children. It does not compare, it really does not compare.”

Joyce then emphasized, “So if you have a desire to have children, to have a family, don’t push down that because you will say, I still have a career, I still need to do this. I’ve met so many incredible women who got out of med school, got married, got pregnant immediately and then started doing their residency… They went to medical school, law school, whatever while they’re raising their family. If women have done it before, what is stopping us from doing it right now?

“Children are not a hindrance to our dreams. If anything, they will fuel you to drive better, to be more proactive about your dreams, but to have new dreams,” she asserts, highlighting that aspirations and familial roles can coexist and enrich each other.

Other perspectives on parenthood and career

Joyce’s insights on juggling both career and family responsibilities were picked up by a news page and several netizens aired differing opinions. One remarked, “It only applies to women who have strong support system families who have the financial capability to support your dreams while having [a family] at the same time. But for women who live [paycheck to paycheck], they can’t have both. They need to set their priorities.”

Another commented, “Children are not a hindrance for others, but lack of money and lack of support system are hindrances. Who will look after your children while you’re working? You can hire a nanny but only if you have enough money. Not everyone din has a relative na pwedeng pag-iwanan ng bata. There are so many things to consider especially if you have a neurodivergent child.”

Another netizen called her out, saying, “You live a life of privilege and it has blinded you to the realities of the ordinary Filipino woman. I have two children of my own. And I agree that there has been no greater joy in my life than having them. But I won’t dare use my parenthood as a badge of superiority to make other women feel less for not being one.”

On the other hand, other netizens agreed with Joyce’s point, with one saying, “Becoming a mom made me realize that there’s so much more potential in me. It made me selfless, goal-driven, and a multi-tasker, and it’s all because of my child.”

These insights highlight the differences in women’s experiences and the variety of challenges that they face.

Ultimately, Joyce’s insights encourage women to evaluate what constitutes success and fulfillment for them, and perhaps, advocating for a society where women can freely choose their path without sacrificing their personal dreams or familial aspirations.

What do you think about Joyce’s thoughts on children and career?

Read here to read inspiring stories of full-time moms who re-entered the workforce.