Woohoo! it's the weekend! Oh, wait... I'm a mom! 

Being a badass millennial mom, especially with a 9-year-old in tow, is like conducting a circus with a demanding ringmaster who also happens to be your offspring. It's a daily performance filled with unexpected plot twists, costume changes, and plenty of snacking - either nibbling or gobbling. From deciphering the latest reel trends to mastering the art of alpha generation lingo, we pull it off with such an ease that we deserve to be celebrated every day and not just once in a year! And let's not forget the endless negotiations over screen time, bedtime, and whether or not dudhi or gajar halwa can be considered a legitimate dessert. But amidst the chaos and the occasional meltdown we navigate the parenting journey with love, laughter, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Oh, yeah! Posing for the cam is mandatory 😉

As Mother's Day approaches, I find myself pondering upon the ups and downs of motherhood, especially with a 9-year-old daughter who has practically mastered the art of sarcasm. So, in honour of this occasion, here's my open letter to her where I share some heartfelt reflections on the rollercoaster ride we call parenting, sprinkled with a generous pinch of sarcasm.

"Silence is golden until you have kids but silence after having kids is suspicious."

Once you sign on to be a mom, 24/7 is the only shift they offer. Yes, indeed! 

It's Mother's Day eve, and as the lil' one is gearing up to unfold the surprises to make me feel special, the conversation starts...

Liz: Moma, what's the biggest adventure of your life?

Me: Carrying you in my tummy, and moving around effortlessly for 9 months.

Liz: Seriously, I thought a stork picked me from the heaven and left me at your doorstep.

Me: I wish that was true, it would have at least saved me from the stretch marks which I wear as a badge of honour and achievement!😉

Me, with my lil' angel 😇

Nature has bestowed a woman with one of the most precious gifts - the gift of being a mother. The experience is surreal! However, every woman is different, and it's often best to let her make her choices, and break the age old stereotype while embracing motherhood without being judgmental. 

Let her decide whether to embrace motherhood or not to.

Whether to have one child or more.  

Whether to give birth, and raise the baby or place the baby for adoption. 

Whether to embrace motherhood by conceiving or through adoption. In many cases, the later is the only option one is left with.

Whether to embrace motherhood through self conception or surrogacy. 

Whether to freeze the eggs for latter use as she focusses on her career or not to freeze.

Whether to opt for  the donor insemination or to be a single mom.

Whether to be a pet mom or to nurture a human cub.

And, lastly let her decide if she wants to continue with the pregnancy or abort it for the betterment of her mental and physical health or the impending financial matters, because nothing is more important than the well-being of a mother to nurture a healthy baby.

Pregnancy is a process, it shall pass, and so shall the postpartum phase. However, motherhood is a journey, it shall continue. 

Finally, after being a Mother, let her decide if she wants to raise the child, by being a badass mom or an easy going mom, because motherhood doesn't come with an operating manual. Its a natural instinct to protect your offspring and to provide them with the best things in life!

Here's wishing all the moms a very Happy Mother's Day! 😊

"Motherhood is an integral part of a woman's life but  her identity is much beyond being a mother."

It's 11:00 pm and as I had a long day, I'm about to call it a day but the lil' one insists on some baby and moma time with deep conversation.

My 7 year old: Momma, what's the biggest adventure of your life?

Me: Carrying you in my tummy and moving around effortlessly for 9 months.

My 7 year old: Seriously? I thought a stork picked me from heaven and left me at your doorstep.

Me: Wondering if that could have been true or just like surrogacy, if we could have contemplated on baking our bun in someone's oven. But we were too young and naïve then to even think about it back in 2014. 😃 

Motherhood is the most precious gift the universe has bestowed upon a woman. Creating a miniature inside you is nothing less than a miracle. Although many women don't get to experience this phase directly, surrogacy has proved to be a boon for them! 

What is Surrogacy?

Infertility is an issue creeping into the modern society. But surrogacy gives a ray of hope to couples battling infertility. Surrogacy is a legal arrangement where a  woman (a surrogate mother) agrees to carry a baby in her womb belonging to another person/people (couple) who will become legal parents of the child after the birth of the child. The surrogate is compensated as per the agreement for renting her womb. Long story short - surrogacy is like you baking your bun in a rented oven. Period!

Representative Image: Pexels

Types of Surrogacy:

Traditional Surrogate: One where a surrogate gets inseminated by the sperms of the prospective father of the baby. The surrogate is the biological mother (as she is the egg donor) and she agrees to hand over the baby upon delivery to the couple who hired her. Yes, you got it right, Preity Zinta's role in the movie Chori Chori Chupke Chupke.

Gestational Surrogate: In gestational surrogacy, an 'In Vitro Fertilization' (IVF) technique is used to gather the eggs from the mother (an egg donor) and it is fertilized with father's sperm (sperm donor). An embryo is formed outside the womb (in a lab) and then placed in the womb of a surrogate. The surrogate hands over the baby after nine months to the couple who hired her. Yes, you got it right, Phoebe Buffay in reel life in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. And in real life, Preity Zinta-Gene Goodenough and Priyanka Chopra-Nick Jonas who embraced parenthood recently through this method. 

Phoebe Buffay in F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Reasons for Surrogacy:

While reasons for surrogacy are quite personal, a few can be ageing, health issues, career commitments, single parents or homosexuality. In fact, a lot of celebrities have become single parents through surrogacy such as Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Tushar Kapoor and are nurturing 'Designer Babies'. 

Surrogacy Law in India:

India is known as a hub for getting surrogate mothers and a lot of couples from overseas visit India in a hope of finding a right surrogate and fulfilling their dream of becoming parents. Often movies are a reflection of the society and the movie 'Mimi' portrays the surrogacy saga remarkably!

India legalized gestational surrogacy in 2002 and since then many clinics specializing in surrogacy have flourished over the years. But in order to curb the exploitation of women for commercial gains, the Surrogacy Regulation Act with amendments was passed in the year 2021 that accounted for altruistic (selfless) surrogacy wherein no monetary compensation is offered to the surrogate except for the reimbursement for any medical expenses incurred during the pregnancy phase. 

Surrogacy Procedure in India: 

Incase a couple or an individual (single parent) wishes to embrace parenthood through surrogacy, they can visit any of the infertility clinics within their reach who would be providing step-by-step guidance on the process. 

Cost of Surrogacy in India:

Altruistic surrogacy isn't that expensive barring the medical expense during the pregnancy period. However, the chances of getting a surrogate who will agree for altruistic surrogacy  are very bleak. On the contrary, commercial surrogacy will cost anywhere between 13 lakhs to 20 lakhs depending upon the procedures. 

No matter which method you adopt to embrace parenthood, your love towards your child will always be unconditional as a parent. Further, nurturing them and watching them bloom into self-reliant  human beings is an experience that cannot be expressed in words!

Happy Parenting! :)

As a parent, if you have ever cancelled or adjusted your appointments and work schedule just to accommodate for something as silly as a playdate or a slumber party, take a bow! 

The squad on a playdate

If you ever thought that dates always had that 'romance component' attached to it then probably you need to widen your horizon.😊 With a fast-paced lifestyle, nuclear as well as single child families, parents are often concerned of lack of social interaction and development of interpersonal skills in their children. Also, not to forget the online classes due to pandemic that led to lack of physical interaction with their pals for almost 2 years. Hence, making an actual play time appointment - often referred to as a 'Playdate' is obvious. We had one such playdate recently that was followed by a slumber party (a sleepover) and it was quite refreshing!

How to Plan a Playdate and/or a Slumber Party?

1. Finalize a location: 

An exotic location would be ideal but if not possible, at least a spacious indoor or outdoor area should be good enough for kids to have fun. 

Our recent play date and slumber party at a scenic location (Igatpuri, India)

2. Finalize the date and timings: 

Matching everyone's calendar and finalizing the date and timing is indeed a task! Usually, weekends and public holidays suit all. So go for it.

3. Prepare a checklist: 

Prepare a checklist of things to carry or arrange. Divide the task of arranging things by giving the responsibility to everyone. Get the kids on board in preparing the checklist and organizing things. These majorly includes snacks for your lil' ones. In the process, their planning and organizing skills will be honed.

4. Finalize the games: 

Social interaction and interpersonal skill enhancement being the objective, plan the games accordingly. Take a break from the gadgets by keeping them at bay. Have a proper balance of indoor and outdoor games to the extent possible. 

5. Reward the kids: 

Reward every child for their participation and enthusiasm. Let them return back in high spirits and plan for more such playdates and sleepovers. 

Happy parenting! :)

"A year from now you wish you had started."

Representative Image: Pexels

2021 - The beginning of a new decade started with a bang until a few days in Jan as we discovered that the man of the house has been tested positive for Covid. But early detection, timely treatment and isolation helped us overcome that phase. As the days passed by, we were able to get the jabs - a step towards defeating the virus! 

The year has dispensed some rare pearls of wisdom to nurture and cherish and out of those, the five most important ones learnt the hard way are:

1. Health is Wealth: Although we have heard it multiple times, we often take it for granted. But better late than never. Eating right, moderate exercise and adequate sleep is all that your body needs to keep going. And, don't forget to laugh often till it hurts your belly. 😂
2. Learning Never Stops: Every pro was once an amateur. You are never too old to learn any new skill or venture into new career avenues. 
3. Expressing Deep Sense of Gratitude: Expressing gratitude towards everyone around us for their tiny gestures of kindness doesn't hurt anyone! Also, being grateful for every single breath, good health, company of loved ones and privileges. 🙏
4. Introspect: At times its better to be be quiet and let it go...because inner peace is better than having your last word. Introspect and meditate to build your focus on important things that matter. 🙇
5. Family is Everything: No matter how much one fights and argues over petty things, making time for each other and being there to celebrate all the special occasions and success alike is what contentment feels like. The tightest hugs, kisses and cuddles is what keeps you going through every season. 👪

The phone gallery never lies, when we try to recall the good times we cherished in the year! Wishing all a prosperous 2022! 😊

Cheers to 2022!💜

"God could not be everywhere, and therefore he created mothers." - Rudyard Kipling

If we were ever told to make a list of people who have loved us unconditionally in life then our Mother's name would surely top the list! Having said this, if  you are reading this and are independent (well settled) in life but still have a Mother who has got your back then take out a moment to thank your stars! 

Representative Image-Pexels

The second wave of covid-19 has hit us all very hard and as we are sailing through turbulent times, it's dreadful to wake up to news of young kids losing either mother/father or both the parents to the virus across the country - turning their world topsy-turvy in a blink of an eye. These kids are young - some are less than 10 years of age, some have just entered their teens and some might be adolescents. 

It's difficult to even imagine the kind of emotional loss they would be undergoing in years to come and how vulnerable these kids would be to various external elements at a tender age. This Mother's Day, Spare a Thought for such kids...

It's disgusting to know that a lot of 'fake' social media campaigns have popped up in last few weeks and  are collecting funds, asking for sponsorships and inviting people for adoption by posting some random photographs of such kids . This is a cognizable offence and such people need to be taken up to task. 

The least we can do to help such kids if we ever come across is as follows:

• Inform the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Every district has a CWC. It's imperative to inform CWC irrespective of a guardian that might be available among close relatives.
• Or the information of such children can be shared with Childline (1098) and you would be guided further. 
• Care must be taken to protect the identity of the child to avoid undue stress to him/her as provisioned under section 74 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• Or you can visit https://wcd.nic.in/ for further details.

Every child deserves a mother especially in the primitive years of life. But let's pray and be hopeful that these kids find love and comfort in the families that would adopt them or the care centres which might be their new home. Although, it would be difficult to fill the void that would be created due to the untimely death of their parents.

We all have given our mother enough in form of stretch marks, hair fall, sleepless nights, a sore throat and much more...and she has only given us unconditional love in return. Raise a toast to this 'unconditional love' on this Mother's Day and don't forget to spare a thought for the less privileged.

Happy Mother's Day, 2021!😊

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/collecting-funds-online-for-kids-who-lose-parents-to-covid-19-to-be-cognizable-offence-101620390246545.html

The academic year has just passed us by and while we are still getting acquainted to the virtual learning environment, the next academic year is already knocking at the door (for some boards in April and for some in June).  

As we gear up for the new academic year, here is my conversation with the lil' one (in brief) who is about to kickstart the new academic year from next day (12th April).

10:00 pm - Liz (All excited): Momma, which compass box should I take to (virtual) school tomorrow...the regular pink one or the orange double decker one or the pouch with the princess picture on it or the simple blue pouch. 

Me: How does that matter...because you are going to attend from home. 

Liz: No momma, you have to tell...

Me: Okay, take the pink - simple one...easy to open and close.

Liz: No...I want to take the orange colour - double decker one.

Me: Then why did you ask me when you have already made up your mind? 

Liz: Just like that.

Any guesses on how I must have reacted? 😐

Representative Image: Pexels

Kids and their fascination for stationary items is just beyond my understanding!

This is just one incident, but imagine such endless and often meaningless conversations that makes you feel like ripping your hair apart; especially when you are in middle of some important work - staring at the laptop screen. 

With the second wave of covid and the stringent guidelines, work from home and virtual learning seems to have extended. And in this boundaryless office at home, the lil' one pops up anytime, setting an apt example of open door policy, often leading to delay in task at hand. Maintaining sanity in these times of insanity is quite challenging for many mothers and everyone has their own way of dealing with it. I would like to share a few things that has helped me to deal with such situations:

Make a Daily Schedule & Share it with the Child: Sounds a tad bit professional for the household, but it is an amazing practice for teaching organizing skills and time management to the child at an early age. Mention clearly that during the working hours, nobody should loiter around or talk/ask unnecessarily as it causes distraction leading to more delay in work. 

Include Short Breaks in Between: Include multiple short breaks in between for interaction or just to keep an eye on what they are doing. Check their assignments or activities in these breaks and give them some stars and smileys that can motivate them to do better.

Make Time for Mother-Baby Interaction: It is said that working mothers spend less time with their kids but they often tend to spend quality time. Set aside at least one hour daily for some quality time that will enhance your bonding. This could be used for interacting, reading stories, playing games or simply cuddling.😊

Channelize your Expressions in the Right Direction: Don't ever hold back your expressions when angry, frustrated, happy, sad etc. Just express it, but ensure to channelize it in the right direction so as to teach your child the importance of expressing feelings from the young age. Remember, being explicitly reactive to every situation is again not desirable.

Here's hoping you have loads of sanity in these insane times! 😉

Beyond the four walls of an 'academic' classroom, is a practical world that every child should learn to embrace at an early age. Extra Curricular activities helps in bridging that gap!

Outstanding grades in academics doesn't prepare a child for life but extra curricular activities does in some way.  Because there is so much to learn beyond the four walls of the classroom especially from the practical aspect point of view.  

Representative Image-Pexels

As a parent, I would be fine if my child does average or a lil' more than average in academics because I opine that extra curricular activities go a long way in shaping the overall personality of a child, right from the young age. Although grades matter, so does extra curricular! 

Needless to say that this pandemic has left kids with plenty of time at their disposal as schooling has been virtual. Also, many organizers of hobby related courses or extra curricular activities have shifted their base to online classes or have opened up their centres with proper precautionary measures. As a parent to a six year old and a mentor to many, I have personally observed the following positive changes in children as they participate or enroll in various extra curricular activities.

• Overcoming Stage Fear: To overcome stage fear, you need to grab the stage and be there. You just can't overcome it by being a passive spectator.
• Smart Kids: Smartness might be inherited to some extent, but external environment plays a vital role in enhancing it. Extra curriculars provide that environment.  
• Bold Kids: One can easily notice kids becoming bolder as they engage more in extra curriculars.
• Better Social Skills: As extra curricular requires one to interact with diverse group of people beyond their classroom, social interaction skills as well as interpersonal skills get a boost automatically.
• Overall Personality Development: Personality development is a process and doesn't happen overnight. Enrolling kids in various extra curricular activities at a young age, helps in shaping their overall personality. 

On one lazy Sunday morning, the lil' one sees me clearing a few of her favourite things from her wardrobe and the conversation starts as follows:

Lil' one: What are you doing, momma?

Me:  Making place for your new clothes and toys.

Lil' one: But why are you taking out my old clothes and toys?

Me: So that we can give it in charity. Don't you remember what teacher said - 'sharing is caring.'

Lil' one: All agreed, momma but I want to keep all of these for my memory. When I grow up, I'll revisit all of these...it would be so much of fun...yippee!

Me: Dear, if we are gonna store every single item of your childhood for a stroll down the memory lane when you grow up then probably we'll have to built a separate house to accommodate all of it. 

Representative Image - Pexels

Convincing kids and being able to get rid of their (once upon a time) favourite stuff is not a cake walk, especially when you have kids who are so attached to each and every thing they possess. 

Here's a sneak peek into how you can plan and store some of the precious things and Memories of your Tiny Tot:

• Year wise Photo Albums: With the advent of social media, we don't need any occasion to click & shoot. All what we need to do is to stagger all the good clicks and shoots as per birthday year into folders and store it on the cloud. 
• Pop up Boxes: A lot of ideas and options are available online but what I prefer is getting done those cute pop up or explosion boxes (through the one's who know to do it) and artistically arranging a lot of pictures in it. On an average, one pop up box can accommodate nearly 100 pictures in an artistic way with some messages that could be written on it. This can be a perfect gifting option for your  lil' one on their special day.    
• Collages: Decorating your walls with photo collages will never be considered as outdated. Every photo collage frame on the wall has its own story and charm!
• A Forever Storage Box: This is something that I have been doing for my lil' one. All you need to get is a good size storage box (plenty of it are available online). I prefer storing all those tiny special items of my child in it which are no more used now like a favourite toy, favourite t-shirt, favourite booties, clips, hairbands and much more.

Dear 2020, you will always hold a special place in my heart...forever - for a year full of a roller coaster ride that you have been! 

Representative Image-Pexels

You have turned out to be a blessing in disguise in multiple ways. I have never been in a house arrest for so long - not even during my maternity leave period😉 - thanks to the quarantine phase! And I'm grateful to you for all those things that you have made possible in this span of lil' more than 9 months which otherwise was always a distant dream!

Here's my List of Gratitude and a Sneak Peek into My 2020:

No Sun Exposure = No Tan: Have survived without a sunscreen, confined to the house. Saved big bucks on cosmetics and back to my original colour.😂 (Since we were just back from Goa a few days before the lockdown was announced.)

Shopping: Absolutely haven't shopped a single apparel or a pair of shoes...and glad that I have still survived. Man of the house is extremely pleased with me for saving big bucks over petty things. 😂

Cooking + Baking Skills: Since everyone was racing on social media, showcasing their culinary skills, I too joined the bandwagon...and voila, in the process, I have sharpened my cooking as well as photography skills! One must have gauged this through my Instagram stories.😉 

Netflix and Other OTT Platforms: My Netflix and other OTT series list was extremely long. But I sincerely owe it to 2020 for helping me tick off many items from the list...finally! 😴😴😴

No Commute in Rainy Days: Mumbai rains and floods have always been a spoilsport especially while commuting to work. But this year, have thoroughly enjoyed the rainy season without having to worry about commuting to work. Thanks to work from home! ☂😃 

Cozy Winters: This winter has spared us from those early morning commutes to work in the chilly weather. And so has it saved our CLs which were mostly utilized under the pretext of sleeping a lil' longer during the winter mornings.⛄ 

Quality Time: Quality time with friends and family over an online game of ludo, gartic and more. And those zoom meets with family and friends dispersed all across the globe truly delighted our soul!👪

My Blogging Journey: This was long overdue...2020 helped me discover the hidden blogger and content writer in me for which I shall ever be grateful! 🙌💜This was the year when PurpleChicS was born. 😊

Good Health: For keeping all the near and dear ones safe and sound in this pandemic.

Dear 2020, you have nurtured us and transformed us in ways beyond our imagination...here's bidding you a heartfelt adieu and looking forward to a prosperous 2021.

Wishing all a very Happy & Prosperous New Year 2021! 😊

The Man of the House wakes up in the morning to find a post it note stuck on his forehead which read as, "you owe me a big Christmas gift this time for my day long toil and burning the midnight oil to complete the lil' one's school activity. Yours truly, Love of your life." 

Clueless as he was, he asked me inquisitively what happened last night? And here is how I had to convince him to play the good Santa card in terms of gifting!

8:00 am: I, trying to put off the wake up alarm and still with a sleepyhead, trying to make the 'to do list' for the day. The task for the day includes Christmas decoration, never ending professional commitments, parlour appointments, making Christmas sweets and also helping the lil' one with online videos from the school. "Oh God, it's gonna be a long day", I grumble - as the baby still doesn't want me to step out of the cosy winter comforter.

9:30 am: I start decorating the tree with Christmas ornaments without much help from the lil' one though she enjoyed watching me do it and listening to the Christmas carols in the background. Detangling more than 25 meters of LED lighting from the boxes was such a time waster in the entire process! 

Finally, It's up and full of Christmas Ornaments

11:30 am: I'm finally done with decorating two trees (one on our top floor and one on the ground floor). And also done with uploading a 10 sec video of my Christmas tree on all the social media handles because as they say, "social life matters more these days than personal life." 😉

12:00 noon: My scheduled lecture starts, followed by unending professional commitments. It's almost 1:55 pm and I shut my laptop for a quick lunch break. 

2:00 pm: I'm about to reach out to my plate and the phone starts beeping continuously with watsapp messages. I, murmuring to myself, if I could only sue the messaging app for intervening 24/7 in my life - I see the messages. Oh...our online exams had just started at 2:00 pm and resolving the queries of pupils was a priority than my lunch.

3:00 pm: Finally, the portal says that all have successfully submitted the exams and my mind says that you can relish your lunch now. Yes, at 3:00 pm.

3:30 pm: Time for some Christmas sweets. Although very amateurish,  I express my sincere gratitude towards YouTube! The only search engine that excites me about trying my hands on a variety of dishes. I try making a few sweets and run to catch on my parlour appointment at 5:00 pm. Although we are going to attend a virtual mass for Christmas...still, no compromise on beauty regime!😉

6:00 pm: Still at the parlour when my lil' one's school sends a message about a virtual Christmas Party that is scheduled the next day at 9:00 am. And the message further says that they also except the children to  display their Christmas craft activity items. This means I'm on a roll, as we have not done anything pertaining to this. I call the man of the house in hope of help but in vain, as he too was busy with virtual meetings. After the parlour, I head straight to the stationary shop to get the material. As usual, racing against time! But it was essential as I didn't want my child to be left out in tomorrow's virtual session.  That's Mommy life. 😉

7:00 pm: I'm back home and extremely hungry and I open the refrigerator to grab something to eat. 

8:00 pm: Back to Christmas sweet making because it's a seasonal affair and the excitement level is at it's peak!

10:30 pm: I sit with my lil' one to make the Christmas craft activity as shown by the teacher in the video. And at 12:15 am - Viola! We are finally done.

12:30 am: I stick a post it note on the forehead of the man of the house who was fast asleep and snoring mentioning that you owe me a big gift this Christmas for my commitment towards the lil' one's school activity. And finally, I and baby call it a day!

All I could manage to do: A Snowman (that looked like an owl), a Christmas Tree & a Santa Card

"Indeed a long day", says the man of the house as he says, I'm proud of you my Superwoman!

Dedicated to all the mothers like me!

Here's wishing all a Merry Christmas! 😊

My Snowy Christmas Wreath at the Entrance...coz Life comes in a full Circle

Childhood is a bliss and if you get to experience it all over again with the tiny version of you growing up then it's truly ecstatic!

Fresher's Party-Cartoon Characters as Theme

I'm not a child expert or a child psychologist; I'm just a mother who speaks from heart and love to share my experiences on the this journey of motherhood. Today, on the occasion of Children's Day, here's how I have tried to rekindle the child in me over the years. 😊

Well, long story in short, I'm much obsessed with all the adverts on baby stuff and I still remember shopping dozens of hairbands when my baby was just 2 months old and hardly had any strands of hair on her head. I didn't stop only at the hairband, but the obsession was for the matching footwear too with every outfit, although she could hardly walk and every other toddler item I came across.😂

Liz at 7 months 😊

Then came the playgroup phase at the age of 1.5 years (yes, we enrolled her at 1.5 years...so officially we have enjoyed three blissful years of PG) and I just love the way these play groups engage kids through various activities and day celebrations these days. More than the child, I as a momma has always been excited with every celebration almost very week and have literally gone form pillar to post to arrange all the matching outfits and accessories simply because I personally enjoyed doing it in spite of the hectic schedule and it was therapeutic for me! :)

We became a Peacock 🦚 to understand the concept of Monsoon Creatures at PG

Lessons Learned:

• Be a kid with kids...it's fun!
• Get actively involved in their activities...it makes them feel happy and valued.
• Be encouraging always...it lifts up their spirit.
• Don't criticize everytime...it lowers their morale. 
• Never criticize in public, it's humiliating for the child and they might start hating you and might slip into depression.
• Develop a habit of bedtime moral stories...curious young minds learn well through stories.
• Show them your love through daily hugs and kisses...it releases love hormone oxytocin. (Refer the Love Hormone-oxytocin post in the Parenting & Motherhood section of this page.) 

Happy Children's Day to all Big and Small out there! :)

Healthy Mom = Healthy Family

Our body is the product of what we consume in terms of food, thoughts and the overall investments we make under the banner of self maintenance-cum-grooming! But many a times we fail to understand the basics - that is embracing a healthy lifestyle.

Representative Image: Pexels

Often I come across a lot of mothers who face severe health related problems post pregnancy. And I feel their pain as I too was on the same side of the fence once upon a time. Although, my child is six years today, it took me a while to overcome a lot of problems health wise. I'm glad that I prevailed and have come a long way in this journey of motherhood and through my experience, I feel, we mothers need to be more attentive to our body needs post pregnancy. According to me, the following are the 5 things that body demands post  pregnancy.

• Right Food: Our body is the product of what we consume and there is a thin line of difference between good food and right food. Good food might be a sign of your prosperity but may not be the right food for your health. Eating right means making seasonal changes to your diet and also trying to get most out of the seasonal and locally available food. For example, indulge in seasonal fruits and veggies that are full of antioxidants. Do not skip meals and avoid feasting on junk food and bakery items. These might please your taste buds for a while but they cause a long lasting damage to the body.   
• Regular Basic Exercise: Exercise need not always be intense. It could be as basic as stretching or walking for at least 30 minutes. I understand time is always a constrain for mothers and especially for working moms. But there is no shortcut to exercise. Time management and making it a daily ritual is the only key to healthy and fit life. I realized it too late and the damage was already done when I developed a severe shoulder and back pain. In spite of medical treatments, what came to my aid was regular exercise and a disciplined lifestyle. 
• Good Sleep: Good sleep is often underrated! But good sleep can do wonders to your health as it plays a vital role in calming the mind and healing the body. If you struggle with insomnia or find it difficult to fall asleep (just like me), try to create a conducive sleeping environment in the bedroom and use some aroma oil therapy.  (A detailed post coming on this soon)
• Self Pampering: Learn to pamper yourself and don't wait for your partner (or others) to do it for you. Spend a lil' extra time in the shower, go for hair and body spa treatments, listen to music, shop for yourself and shower all that love on yourself only because you deserve it. :) 
• Regular Health Checkups: Don't be ignorant about your bodily changes and health. With age and time, we ladies usually develop calcium deficiency as well as certain vitamin deficiency. Do regular blood and vitamin test (every 6 months  or at least once a year). Any abnormalities noticed in the body, please get it scanned. Because your life is precious and also because your kids need a fit and a healthy mom.
• Quality Time: Indulge in some quality time with your family and friends over the weekend if not daily. As a working mom, we face immense challenges at work and at times, work drives us crazy over the weekends too in case we have a deadline approaching. But quality time surely helps in unwinding from a stressful day.

Embracing motherhood is one of the best feeling in the world and cannot be expressed in words alone. But birthing a child obviously comes with certain challenges. And one among them is Postpartum!

Representative Image: Pexels

Quick Facts and Figures:

• Not every woman who delivers goes through postpartum (depression).
• According to WHO statistics as on 2018, 22% new mothers have suffered from postpartum depression in India and the percentage is increasing.
• It is treatable with proper medication, counselling and strong emotional support from the partner.
• It occurs due to hormonal changes in the body.

"I am a Mom and I safeguard my right to be lazy and to unwind myself by making time for it regularly."

Although not all jobs done as a mother churn out a hefty pay cheque; some are just non monetary benefits in form of precious moments -  treasured for life.

With their mighty guards on, they are always at the beck and call of their duty either as a working mom or as a stay at home mom - for the unique set of responsibilities they handle. 

A still from Workin' Moms-A sitcom on Netflix

Tips to Strike a Work-Life Balance for Working Moms:

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