Can you imagine being a busy DJ and mum to a two-year-old?
Well, that's exactly what DJ Natasha Faisal of 987 FM does. She's been in the biz for years and is one of the most sought-after DJs and hosts in the country. But when she's not doing her magic on air, she's busy being a homemaker and a hands-on mum to her two-year-old daughter Luna!
So how does one juggle having a career in media, being a wife and a mum? We chatted with the successful DJ about her parenting journey - from balancing work and life to handling toddler meltdowns like a pro.
Being Mum to Toddler Luna
Life can be very chaotic when you're balancing a flourishing career and raising an active toddler. But for DJ Natasha, it’s all about keeping things as routine as possible.
"We try to keep to a routine," she told TheAsianparent. "But sometimes it's different all the time."
Natasha starts her days around 6 a.m. when she gets Luna ready for school and then heads to work at 987 FM until the show ends. Then more family time!
When she's at home, DJ Natasha makes sure that she cooks as many meals as possible, and of course, squeezes in as much bonding time as she can with her only child.
“When I'm with Luna, we try to do something together—maybe it's watching a movie together or playing with toys," Natasha Faisal said. "We have got our favourite things to do before we wind down. Of course, there will be days where it takes more effort to put her to bed, but nothing too challenging at most."
And despite having a very exciting job, Lunchbox's resident DJ shares that since she became a mum, she looks forward to getting off from work and heading home, with just one very important stop.
"I love seeing Luna’s face light up during pick-up time. If I have to sacrifice only one and I can only spend time either starting a day or ending a day with my kid, I would very much like to end it with her and then let my husband do the drop-off."
And when Luna goes to sleep at night? That's Natasha's favourite time of day! "Comfort nursing helps both of us," she said.
“She'll go in for hugs and kisses between the story times”
Luna is growing, and with that comes new interests. She’s becoming more aware of her surroundings and is starting to express her likes and dislikes. Lately, the young mum is noticing that her toddler is already having a preference when it comes to food.
“We start eating and exposing her to food very young," but according to the DJ, recipes that are rice-based, like congee, are a hit on Luna’s menu, just like soups and stew.
Taking after her mum, Luna listens to music and sounds a lot, and one of their bonding activities is discovering sounds. They also do biking and swimming together. And their favourite? Bedtime stories.
“You'll never know what the parent is going through”
When her daughter Luna was two years old and two months, Natasha Faisal admitted that they had never really faced the dreaded "terrible twos" moments.
Now, though, she has a new problem: Her little one doesn't like holding hands when they go out. And while Natasha still feels like it's necessary for them to hold hands in public places, she understands why parenting requires some creative solutions—like the anti-run leash or the lock that chains parents and children together as they walk around.
"I used to judge parents who used these," she explained. "But now I've learned that you never know what the parent is going through and whatever gets them out of the house or gets anything done is fine by me!"
“Luna bonded the family.”
The best part of having a baby, according to DJ Natasha Faisal, is the sheer joy that Luna brings.
“My husband and I, we now find new things and we learn new things about each other,” she said. “It's also strengthened our marriage and our relationship. It's really like a project that we're constantly working on together.”
And it's not just the new experiences that make it fun—it's also the bonding time with her husband, Iqmal Jumaat.
“It's a lot more fun so in general, the whole experience of having a whole other person in your life is very rewarding,” she said. “They're growing and while they're growing, we're growing too as people as parents so yeah it's it's a whole journey that I'm enjoying."
“I like how she gives herself her own, like she validates herself”
Like most kids her age, Luna loves watching a certain teacher on YouTube.
“All the parents, everyone on TikTok, all the parents are recommending Miss Rachel. We love Miss Rachel. She's aware of the episodes she's seen before and she'll kind of signal to me, ‘Hey, we've watched this. Why are we still watching it again?’” the DJ mum explained.
DJ Natasha also shared a tidbit about Luna’s growing vocabulary.
“Recently, she started seeing this new thing. She says, Wata Wata. I'm like, Oh, is it your friend's name in school? She'll be like, Yay, Wata. I'm like, she'll say it on her own. Like, she goes on a slide, Yay, Wata. She takes a bite of her food. Yay. Wata. I'm like, Who is this? Wata? Is it like an imaginary friend? Wata is well done. Well done. Yay, Wata. Oh my gosh." "I'm still trying to figure out," DJ Natasha continued adding that Luna also said "Matau, yay Matau!" But DJ Natasha couldn't figure out what that meant either: "I don't know."
“She’s not there to make my life difficult on purpose”
Regarding handling meltdowns, Luna’s mum has a tried and true method: distraction.
“I tell myself to ignore the surrounding, to ignore the environment. And I also tell myself that the child is still not developed. They don't know anything. So I have to trust that she's not there to make my life difficult on purpose. I'm trying to understand what she wants.”
The key for DJ Natasha and her husband is learning to trust their daughter—and finding ways to distract her when she becomes overwhelmed with excitement or frustration.
In the situation of a meltdown, it’s important to remember that your child is not doing this to upset or anger you. He or she is just growing and learning, and if you let them know that you are there for them and empathise with what they are going through, they or will be able to calm down much easier.
So when her daughter's meltdown is distracting the environment or disruptive, like if they're at a wedding or a nice restaurant, Natasha prefers to leave the area. She understands that it’s normal and that “they’re developing and that's why you gotta trust. There's no point in getting upset and angry. It's only going to trigger their emotions.”
“I owe it all to a great support system.”
Being a mum and a working woman is hard work, but DJ Natasha has found a way to make it work with the help of her husband and close family members.
She's a busy mum of a toddler, she's got her own career as a DJ, and with all of these commitments and responsibilities, it's important to DJ Natasha that she makes time for herself—which means that if there are appointments or events that pop up at the last minute, or if she needs to go out with friends or colleagues at night, she can count on her family to help out.
"I live very near to my mom," DJ Natasha says. "She's just a walking distance away. Sometimes we have last-minute appointments or events, or when we go out at night or for work. I'm just very lucky that my parents are more than happy to be around."
Having a husband who’s very much involved in raising Luna helps DJ Natasha in balancing her many roles.
“Find your circle, find your people”
It's easy to feel alone when you're a parent. You're not just raising your child, you're also learning how to be a parent and finding your own way in this role.
But DJ Natasha found that being a parent is also a great way to find friends who understand what you're going through because they're going through it too. And these new friendships can help you feel less alone when things get tough.
When asked for parenting advice, DJ Natasha shared that finding a community that understands can make a difference in your life as a parent.
“More than anything, just embrace their journey and find the joy in every day. But more importantly, find that community, that circle where you can share your experiences with people who may also be going through the same thing as you.” “In this journey, I made a lot of new friends. I made a lot of mom friends. I've lost some friends along the way as well. It's a very evolving process. I take each day as it comes and it's gonna be a new different day all the time.”
“It's a constant scavenger hunt every day with you, Luna”
We asked DJ Natasha for a message for Luna and here’s what she candidly shared:
“I want her to know and remember about the time she threw my digital watch, my Apple watch, into the washing machine. Oh my gosh, she's a little cat. I don't know, even her teachers say she acts like a little cat.” “She's got a secret stash for, for a while. I lost my watch for like a week. I couldn't find it. And then I found it in the washing machine, and when I opened up the laundry basket, I found my missing spoons for parts of toys. I want you to know it's a constant scavenger hunt every day with you, Luna.”
“Me time has to be a constant thing.”
In a world where multitasking is the norm, DJ Natasha says it's important to make time for yourself.
She has some tips for all of us: eat right and get enough sleep.
"I'm making time to go with a girlfriend, although I'm still at an age where I still want to be around my baby all the time. So, any kind of plans that I make with my friends, we end up like dragging our kids along. It's a lot more fun. So yeah, for now, it's the everyday little things.” she said and added, “Making my hair before I go to work instead of throwing it into a bun, I feel like that's a win if I doll up and get dressed and get to work looking up pretty. I feel like that's also how I show love to myself…”