Riding a tide called motherhood!

Tips from a stay at home mom, a working mother and a grandmother

Motherhood is a fusion of emotions. A mixed bag of sentiments such as joy, the feeling of accomplishments, sometimes guilt and uncertainty. But as years pass by we realize it’s all about how to balance this ride!

The month of March is dedicated to all amazing women. I got the privilege to interview three wonderful mothers. And I am excited to share their perspectives on motherhood.

Meet Pallavi Sapre 41-year-old, Mother of two and a stay at home mom

Question: How long have you been a stay at home mother and what prompted you to stay home with the kids?

Answer: I have been a stay at home mom for 14yrs. I decided to stay at home due to circumstances during and after pregnancy. I somehow couldn’t get back to work as I had my second baby.

Question: What do you think about working moms?

Answer: I have tremendous respect for working moms who can manage both work and family.

Question: What do you do all day and how you plan it?
Answer: Most of my day revolves around the girl’s schedule. Once I get my time then I do some exercise, watch T.V, read, go for a walk with friends, play badminton… etc.

Question: What is the best part of being a stay at home mother?
Answer: It has its perks. I get to stay with my kids all the time…. literally. I enjoyed each moment watching them grow, reaching each and every milestone. This is something I would love to cherish all my life.

Question: What is the piece of advice you would give to another mom who is contemplating becoming a stay at home mom?
Answer: There is no harm in becoming a stay at home mom but don’t get too comfortable with that role that you may not be able to come out of it. Enjoy it fully but at the same time keep in mind that one day you need to get back to work. This is very important as after a few years children will get busy with their own lives.

Question: What do you do to keep your mind and body fit?
Answer: For physical fitness, I play badminton, gym workouts, dance and for my mental wellbeing I go for walk with friends, read books.

Meet Nancy Hsu 42-year-old, Mother of two, Program manager.

Question:  Do you think it is easier or harder to be a working mom?

I feel its both, harder because you are juggling too many things same time. But for me personally, I feel easier as it helps me to stay mentally and emotionally healthier. 

Question: How do you manage the busy schedule, being a wife, mother and working in office?

My mother and husband help me to manage the day. I believe in taking one thing at a time and not get overwhelmed. And when things go bad just let it go.

Question: What is one thing you would like to do more often? 

Working out and having a exercise routine is something I would like to do more often.

Question: What is that one thing you would have done differently as a working mom?

I always wished to have dinner with my family which I often missed due to work and travel. This Pandemic made it possible for me to sit with my family for dinner every single day!

Question: What is the best parenting advice and relationship tips you would offer to other working moms?

Accept help if someone offers. For a successful relationship, its very important you spent quality time with your partner. Focus on what will matter to you after 10 or 20 years. It’s ok to not clean the house one day and spend time doing what you like. For me its spending time with my kids as I know they will soon go to college so each minute I want to make it a memorable one.

Question: What do you do to keep your mind and body fit?

Regular workouts, reading, watching TV, play board games with kids and spend quality time with family and friends. 

Meet Maria Damas, 72-year-old loving mother and a grandmother

Question: You raised 4 kids while your husband travelled for work?? How did you manage everything without losing your mind?

 Answer: I lived in El Salvador. My day started early at 5 AM before the kids woke up. I kept things ready for them and once they went to school I went to the gym to make sure I stay fit. While heading back home from the gym I bought fresh produce and groceries and cooked for my family homemade food. After kids were back from school remaining day was spent helping them with homework, cooking the evening meal and once the kids were off to bed I spent some time “me time” again by reading a book, watching T.V.

Question: What do you think you see parents worry too much these days?

Answer: Kids have easy access to gadgets and technology, and I feel this is what makes parents more worried as they have to be vigilant all the time. I feel back then we had more control over our kids but this might be due to cultural difference in different countries.

Question: What is your best advise to your kids at this point in their life?

Answer: To dedicate more time to kids as they are young and save money to prepare for a better future.

Question: What is your biggest piece of advice for mothers raising children today?

Answer: Discipline and sticking to the rules is very important .

 Question: What do you do to keep your mind and body fit?

Answer: I maintain my schedule and eat healthy food, I do not miss going for a walk, read books, relax and not to get involved in other people’s business.

It was a great privilege to be able to interview three powerful mothers. I realized each one of them has a very positive outlook on their choices of the role they took in their life. The stress on self-care and “living in the moment” is something that touched my heart.

I hope their outlook towards life, parenting and self-care will give you an opportunity to look into a new perspective and bring new light into your life and relationships with your family and with yourself.