Multi-Tasking

           Working mothers have many roles to play. As she doesn’t want her husband to bear the entire burden alone, she chooses handbag over the remote control and walks along with him in every step.

            Life is very busy for these women who need to be very patient 24/7. Soon after wedding, they have a hard time to get adjusted to the new house hold’s demands, thereby sacrificing their likes for the family members. She needs to do the household chores before leaving for work and give her best at work too. There is no much consideration at work just because she is a woman. In the evenings, the relay race continues and she has to complete the day’s activities before retiring for the bed.

           Once she is gifted with a baby, she has one more role to play. First three months, she spends happily with the baby but towards the end of the maternity leave, she fights bravely with the feeling to stay with the little one and continues working, now for the sake of the child. Either parents come to help or she has to seek the help of the day care centers. Life will be tough without understanding. But since guys too have consideration towards their spouse, they readily come to help. Many of them give up their habit of watching sports, news on the TV and spend time with the baby or help the wife.

         Work pressure, family pressure, financial commitments all have an impact on her health. She never gives her own self, importance but lives for others. She never has time to buy clothes for herself but always has time for family shopping. She never cooks her favorite dish but makes it for her husband. It has been ages since she has read a good book but she has time to read out stories for the kids. No compromises are allowed at home during the festivals too. For instance during the Durga puja, she has to arrange the dolls, make neivedhyam, finish her work for the day in office, come back home and has to do the next role!

          Once kids grow, the mom should teach the kid and even if the kid doesn’t have the fear of the exams, mom has! She spends time with the kid and builds his confidence, makes him attend tuitions, summer classes, other extra curricular activities like dance, music, etc... And engages him in all good things. But, it pains when kids tell her that she is not spending time with them! Kids too become adamant and demand much more and mothers already have guilt of not being with them and hence give in for their wishes.

         The other usual complaints are they are not visiting relatives, not cooking the traditional way, let loose the children, and that she is very proud that she is earning, etc,etc.. These are the challenges for the working mom. She cannot be everywhere like our tinsel town hero! But balancing all these is a great feat. End of it all, she needs her family’s happiness and kid’s achievements.

           The family’s support is always needed to keep her happy. It is all the same if the daughter or the daughter-in-law goes for work! She does not expect much but a kind word and a little understanding will suffice. Kids too should understand that mom is doing all these for them alone and adjust for tiny things like mom unable to plait the hair, playing with them, etc.. And no comparison with friend’s mothers! Once they become mom, they will understand their mom’s plight and her sacrifice in making them what they are today!