Jaenique Swartz
BALANCING the demands of motherhood and a career is a challenge that many mothers have to face daily.
For Mary-Lee Schrywer, a mother from Walvis Bay, this struggle became not only a personal bout but also a catalyst for creating a business aimed at assisting other mothers in similar situations.
Schrywer, the founder of Millennial Mama, has developed an organisation offering transportation, daycare, and lunchbox solutions for other mothers.
Her venture serves as a beacon of hope for parents in need of support, particularly those grappling with the daily challenges of balancing work and family.
Having experienced the difficulties of managing time and resources as a working mom, Schrywer identified common struggles many parents face.
One major pain point was the time-consuming task of packing lunchboxes and the associated costs of buying groceries every week without a meal plan.
“I know that was one thing I struggled with the most and it was always time-consuming resulting in me getting late for work almost every day,” she explained.
Millennial Mama aims to alleviate this burden by providing a fixed-rate service that includes lunchboxes, sparing parents the hassle of daily meal planning and grocery runs.
So, paying a fixed amount and not having to worry about packing a “balanced” meal every day and not having to make grocery runs every second day is a win-win situation for her clients.
She envisions Millennial Mama as a second home where both children and parents can feel cared for and supported. Her dream is to create a world where parents can entrust their children to a comprehensive service that includes transportation, daycare, and organised after-school activities.
This vision is rooted in her desire to offer the support she wished she had got during her early journey into motherhood.
“Imagine a world where your baby is being picked up from home, dropped off at school/daycare, and lunchboxes will be delivered.
After school, kids are picked up and taken to after-school classes, swimming lessons, mathematics classes, etc., and all you as a mother just do is get you and the kids ready for the day,” Schrywer beams.
While Schrywer faces challenges, including funding setbacks as some investors withdrew support, her determination remains unwavering. She emphasizes the importance of shutting out noise, staying focused, and trusting in her vision with unwavering faith.
Schrywer takes pride in knowing that Millennial Mama is a source of positivity in the lives of mothers.
Recognising the significance of routine and structure in a child’s life, she navigates through trial and error, offering a helping hand to those in need.
Although awaiting approval from the council of Walvis Bay to implement some business ideas, Millennial Mama has already begun making a positive impact.
She continues to prepare and plan for the future, remaining steadfast in her commitment to supporting mothers in their journey.
“We are all in this together, let’s be kind always. And let us raise God-fearing children because they will need Him more than anything else in this crazy fast-paced life,” Schrywer said.
-jaeniqueswartz@icloud.com