My next foray was into Teaching. Thinking that I was in the same school with Sid was going to be easy besides I would be back home by 4.30 in the evening, giving me time for the household chores. I was so wrong. I was swamped by work, carrying work home, checking books, correcting and framing papers. Anyone who thinks teaching is easy has to try it once. Besides, I had to drag sometimes sick Sid to school because I could not take an off. Teaching was slogging, I was underpaid and overworked. My life was extremely rushed and the parenting was suffering for sure. Since I had Gautam, I’ve been very firm that I would give him all the time as I had given Sid. I know my own career has been placed on the backburner but that is totally my choice.
Just a week back, I read in the papers that a nanny hired through one of the agencies in the home of a working couple at Bangalore was giving out their infant son on lease to beggars for Rs. 100 everyday. Imagine the shock we went through. This poor infant was drugged and handed over to beggars to be carted around in the streets. I felt really relieved that not even once have I ever left my child unsupervised with any maid or nanny. Often, we women are not able to monetarily measure our contribution at home and feel disappointed. But in the interest of our children, their safety and wellbeing from bad company, overload of information, child predators etc. it is really crucial that one parent has the time to communicate and stay connected with the child in order to sense if there is any problem. No matter what any working mother says these responsibilities at home and kids do get neglected because after all she is a human being too with the same 24 hours at her disposal. They have to be incredibly lucky to have a supportive mom-in-law or mom to look after their kids while at work.
So now I do freelance writing when I find work strictly doing it for very few hours daily. After all, all the money in the world cannot give the kind of time and caring which I can provide to my husband and my two kids. Kudos to all the moms in the world for making the right choice for their family.
Rachna
🙂 I can understand the situation through which you are going, as we are on the same boat.
We were blessed with a boy 4 months bac who was preterm born at 6 and half month and was in NICU for 20 days but now he is doing fine. Initially my mom and my MIL came to stay with us but now as wifey is planning to join office after 5 month ML things are a bit scary
One good thing with us that our company have their own creche in the premises and besides she will have 2 hr flexitiming for a year and if she wants she can work as part time. Weplanned for a nonny but after seeing that banglore incident decided not to get one.
We have to take him to the creche on 2nd Dec for 1st time. Lets see how things materialize….
Nice writeup there
Bhupesh
Well, all the best to you and your wife. I hope there is someone at home to fall back upon for those rainy days. You are lucky to have a creche in your company’s premises. It is a rarity these days. It will be difficult initially but more so once your son starts school. I don’t want to scare you off :). I think with your active support, your wife can manage it.
i don’t see why feminists should be mad at you..
ideally each family should decide for themselves..and the husband and wife should have equal rights to stay at home, (after the child is above 1)..
@ wise donkey – Ideally, yes but things are not that ideal, are they? Yes, a husband and a wife have equal rights to be at home but what is more socially acceptable and happens most often is that the wife takes a break or a backseat to look after the kids and frankly I feel that it is the right way.
I felt as if I was reading my own thoughts. I too have put my career on a side, just bcoz i want to be at home watching my kid grow and loving it
but sometimes do think that did i do the right thing, esp. when I c my friends climbing the corporate ladder
@Bhagyashree Thanks for visiting my blog. You are right, I also feel the same way when I see my own batchmates climbing up the corporate ladder. But then, the pragmatist in me kicks in.I have restarted my career, albeit, along different lines now. And, you never know, I might do much better than others doing my own thing. So, keep the faith, and do what your heart says is right. There will come a time when you will be able to do some gainful work as well.
Hey I read this and commented too. 🙂 Ya I know, am getting old.
I still hold the same views but Rachna with cost of living going higher with each successive day, very often a woman has to compromise isnt it?