It all began with a couple of articles by columnist Petula Dvorak that I read on the Washington Post. The first one was “Midnight
moms are in the grip of holiday mania” followed by “What is the point of
having kids if your life ends when theirs begins?”
The titles say it all, don’t they? The first one was about
how working moms have to deal with their careers during the day and how the
struggle to make up for the time spent away from family keeps them up through a
major part of the night. But the article scared one of the readers and put him
off the idea of having kids. His question made it as the title of the second
article by the columnist.
That set me thinking, have I ever let that thought form in my
head? Have I ever felt like my life ended when my baby was born? I didn’t have to wait a heartbeat on that one
– NO, NEVER!
Sure, the life I knew, before my child was born, changed. I
may have been this ambitious career woman, the carefree wanderer, the
experimental dancer. I gave up all that of my own free will to become a full
time mom. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a life! Yes, I am primarily a mother,
so my day begins with what to make for breakfast for my kiddo and meanders
through school, extra classes, hurt limbs and bruised egos and ends with menu
and play date planning for the next day. But that hug and good night kiss (for
the time being at least) that I get at end of the day, the adoring eyes that
say I can do no wrong - makes it all worth it! I am growing and learning with
my child. Each day brings with it its share of amazing discoveries and exciting
adventures, all seen through the wondrous eyes of my little one. I wouldn’t
trade that for anything in this world.
There are moments when I envy the neatly put together working
women who I see on the train on my way to drop my kid at school. I wonder how
different my life is from theirs – me in my jeans and sneakers that scream “mom
clothes” with the quintessential all-encompassing tote and them in their
starched suits and killer heels with smart handbags. But all it takes is a tug
at my hand, the tug at my heart, to pull me back to what I would rather have in
my life. And I bet the multitasking abilities of a mother would put the most
efficient of professional to shame :).
I don’t feel like I have lost my identity. I intend getting
back to work soon and am sure I can juggle being a professional at work as well
as being a mother. Aren’t all the working moms doing just that? It’s not a
piece of cake. But for every hour of lost sleep, there is a memory to cherish, for
every extra hour of effort put in; there is a smile to treasure. My child has
enriched my existence, made me a stronger person. So to those who say they
don’t want a child, I say – your loss.
"The soul is healed by being with
children." - English proverb
The articles referred to can be read
here:
How did I miss such a joy..it was pleasure reading ur every word priya ...am ur new follower now..first for ur words n then to ur recipes:)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sireesha - you just made my day!
DeleteThanks for sharing very interesting blog post with us. We are also working in the same industry. Grip Food Besan powder
ReplyDelete