Tag: motherhood

Perks of being a Stay-At-Home-Mom

Working mother or SAHM (Stay-At-Home-Mother)? Been there, done that!! The debate around this is endless. Each of these roles comes with its own set of advantages and guilts. I have been able to live through both. And trust me, it doesn’t matter whether you are a working mom or a SAHM, there are going to be different sets of crazy plus points and of course, different kinds of challenges and guilts that we go through. So, its best to stick to what works for you the best at the moment.

I had always been a very sincere student since my childhood, and I was raised to be a strong and independent woman, including the financial independence. I had always loved my job as a software engineer, but after Myra was born, balancing both the roles had become a roller-coaster ride for me. So, I decided to take a break and give a stability to one role. I have huge respect for the ladies who can balance both the roles perfectly. Even though I have a very supportive partner, I went ahead with the decision of taking things at a lighter pace for me. Now that my daughter is all set to start her school, I am looking forward to become a working mother once again. Since I’ve been a Stay-At-Home-Mom for the last three years, I thought of highlighting some perks that I enjoyed of being one. So, here are some of those that I have lived and loved.

What, you had some hobbies, mother??

Well, this is the time that you can blissfully ponder over what you liked doing the most while growing up. And by growing up, I mean when the mind was free to wander, when you wanted to try new things, when there was no 9 to 6 life, when the little thing you built made you happier than you could ever imagine. Well, yes, I am talking about that time, the beautiful time of childhood. I had loved to write. Writing was in my blood. But that time, it was all diaries, notebooks, letters, in short, “hand-writing”. It was stopped years back, once the full-time job got started, or may be even before that, when the actual run for career was started in college. But TADA, here I am now, writing religiously for my blog, enjoying each n every moment when I write. And it’s the same for cooking. I never cooked in my entire life as a student. I started learning to cook after my marriage, and that learning process sped up after my little one was born. And little did I know, that of all the things in life, cooking will be the one that I will fall in love with. It is therapeutic for me, cooking calms me down and makes me happy. So, here I am working on my blog, creating new recipes for my loved ones, and gearing up for the future recipe blog posts. And all this came with advantage, that I can earn money through my blog. What better than this? So, go for it ladies, those who decide to be Stay-At-Home-Moms, put aside your guilt pangs of giving a break to your career, and utilize that time to pursue your interests, and, if you can, then blog about it.

Let’s go out for lunch, mom!!

There are lots of times, that me and my daughter head to the local pizzeria to have lunch dates. Then we rush off to the local grocery store to do some random, but limited to a specific budget, shopping!! Being girls, we enjoy shopping like anything. Shopping is a therapy, be it for a simple candy (for my daughter) or a small kitchen tool (I love investing in different kitchen tools), we both love doing that. Apart from that, we love dropping in to the local library, and read for hours and hours altogether. I know all these things are possible even for a working mother, but I love the random part here. You just go whenever you or your kid feels like going sometimes.

The never ending hugs and kisses in the morning

Mornings are a bliss everyday. Waking her up is more of a long and lovely plethora of cuddles, lots and lots of hugs and kisses than anything else. Once she would start her school and I am back to pursuing my career, this will shrug to a small time of cuddles, and more of a rush rush to get ready. But till that time, I just want it to be a never ending affair.

The elaborate breakfasts

Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and you and your little one have the time in your hands, you can work on creating this time as healthy and nutritious as possible for them. Starting with a serving of fruits, to a more filling entree, followed by milk or yogurt ensures that they get the best possible nutrients. My daughter even loves watching me cook for her, and wants to give her ideas about what things to add in a particular dish, or how to serve a particular dish in an oh-so-charming way. The hearts and other shape cutters have always been to my rescue when she sometimes used to be fussy about something she didn’t like the taste of. But the simple cookie cutters have always been there to my rescue. These things take time, if need to be done on a day-to-day basis, but that’s the perk that a Stay-At-Home-Mom has.

Few months down the line, she will be in her school, and I will be back to being a working mom once again. But, the time spent with her at home will always be special and priceless.

Whether you are a working mom or a stay at home mom, I think the responsibilities in both cases are endless. And it is very important to support the decision that a woman takes. Every mom has a story, and judging her is the worst one can do. I salute each n every mother out there, who is working hard for her children and family. Cheers to all the super moms, since, every mom is a super mom. Till then.

Adios Amigos

Reflection: Down the memory lane

As she sat quietly, taking out each crayon, admiring the color and beautifully using it on her little canvas, creating her mini masterpiece, she forgot that she didn’t talk to me for almost an hour. Sitting beside the window, having soaked up the much needed Vitamin D of the day, my daughter made me fall in love with her again.

 

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I traveled back to the time when I was a little kid just like her, crazy about the subjects I loved the most, mathematics, science and drawing. Cursive writing was another thing that always fascinated me. I would forget about everything, hours altogether, just lost in my own beautiful world. Yes, some of us do enjoy being nerds I guess!!

There was a fire inside, to continue to be in the class toppers, year after year, giving my best in each n every exam. I saw the same fire inside her today. In a different form, in a different shape, but, the one which can take us places in life. It was the most beautiful moment for me as a mother.

It is really strange that the same fire, or rather the desire, keeps blurring within us with time. The desire which makes us run for the best, for the future which we want to have an amazing shape. As we grow old, we keep on killing it, yes, we are responsible for killing that day by day. It takes just a moment of realization to ignite it, and, we can actually move mountains again!!

Some moments are really precious in life, and this, this particular moment, is the one I’ll always remember. I found her, just like me, lost in her own world , with her canvas and her colors, creating another of her beautiful masterpieces. Some reflections are truly nostalgic.

Adios amigos

The fitness journal

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It all started as a joke between me and my sister, the 30 days fitness challenge (actually, #30dayfitnesschallenge as I love to call it), but it has become an important part of our daily routine now. We had put on some weight in the last few months, so this is how it all began. It has been few days, but I have already started feeling the difference it has made to my body and mind.

The benefits of working out are known to everyone, so I won’t go over them, but here’s my bit for all the people who give up continuing the routine, especially the stay-at-home-mommies. Since I was in the same phase, I couldn’t even think of going to the gym. So, doing workout at home was the only option.

I researched a lot before starting my journey, watched a lot of videos on the internet and finally bookmarked what would work for me.

The most important step was maintaining a journal. Noting down what exercises I did each day and for how long or for how many repetitions of each. This simple buy (small notepad) from dollar store has proven to be a life changer for me!! With each passing day, I am getting better and better. My stamina has improved and I try to push my limits every time. There were few no workout days as well, but the journal inspires me to start again. Keep the journal at an approachable place, I usually keep it by my bedside so that I check it every night and every morning. Just browsing through the pages gives me a push to start the day’s fitness hour. I am sharing a snippet of my journal in the picture.

We women tend to ignore our health as we become mothers. But I think that’s the best gift we can give ourselves and our families if we can maintain our health.

The move from Pune to California was very big for us. Being a Punjabi, our life literally revolves around food. The conversations start from food and end on food too. So, the move made sure that we gobbled up everything on our favorite list in India, since we were gonna miss that in California. And after coming to California, we were overwhelmed by the variety of food that this state has to offer. So, of course few more extra pounds got welcomed on our bodies. But I’ve realized that maintaining good health shouldn’t be a priority, it should be a part of life, part of daily routine.

Journaling has become a lifestyle for me now, as being fit is. I will be sharing my workout videos/posts in the coming weeks. So, get up, get going and push your limits. And write it down too. Give yourself the journal inspiration. Till then.

Adios amigos.

The puzzle

There are so many milestones that we, as parents, keep on waiting for, for our kids. The first word, the first walk, the first tooth etc. But this was one of those that I was not waiting for, rather it just happened, and made me realize, “Oh, another of her milestones!!”

Myra loves to play with puzzles. The ones that are the easiest to play are her favorites. She spends hours in library fixing the numerous puzzle games for kids there. So, we brought her some at home as well. She was able to solve many of them. But few which she found complicated, she wouldn’t even try. Well, but a game is a game. And when the kids want to play, they will play it, no matter how. So, she found her momma to her rescue for those puzzles.

Until one day, when she chooses to do it herself. Since mamma needed her time to cook biryani, the baby doll decided she wanted to try the complex puzzle.

An hour passed by, it was silence from her side. Another half an hour passed silently, and finally there was a loud shout, “I did it!!”.. I rushed towards her thinking what on the earth happened. And to my surprise, the puzzle was complete.

Well, it was just a game that she played. But for me, this was something she tried, which she never wanted to do till that time. I was really feeling proud of her, but it also made me realize that she’s growing up. And there will be many such phases or incidents which will happen in future, which might not count as milestones for some people, but for a mother, they are some of the biggest ones.

I really want to tell Myra that no matter what happens in life, never ever give up. Also, failing is not losing, you lose when you never try. So, keep trying the puzzles, keep connecting the dots, keep learning in life. Just like you did now!!

Do you also have any such milestone(s) to share about your kid(s)? Please mention in comments and let us know!!

Adios amigos!!

The bathtub -A tiny tale

The location was beautiful. It reminded her of the time they spent on their honeymoon.  They checked into the room and couldn’t believe their eyes. It was the most breathtaking sight from the window. The room was carpeted and it felt like walking on soft pashmina barefooted. She checked the bathroom. The flowers left a scent which could mesmerize anyone. It was smelling of lavender, her favorite.

The bathroom looked so regal. Paintings adorning the walls, flowers in vases everywhere. The potpourri smelling like a dream. It was so so perfect. She was so tired of the journey, she just wanted to soak in the bathtub and lay there for hours.

She poured some wine in the wine glass and kept it aside the bathtub. It was a complete stress relieving setup. She got hold of the book which she wanted to read from a very very long time and was ecstatic to finally delve into the words. She stepped into the bathtub and just immersed into the water. She wanted to lay there forever. She closed her eyes and started feeling the stress going away from her body. She took a sip from her wine glass. But…. She spit it out so forcefully as if she had tasted something very very bitter. Then…

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She leaped out of the bathtub, grabbed the old smelly clothes, quickly changed into them. And there she was, her one hand holding the soiled diaper and the other hand holding the smiling baby on top of the commode 😜

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To all the mothers out there, CHEERS !! 😄🍷