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Mom is changing

The new-age mothers are jugglers

FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE New age mothers play many roles

Shefali Tsabary, a young mother, jotted down her experiences of motherhood in her debut book "It's A Mom!" published by Penguin. The word `mom' got celebrity sheen, as actress Karisma Kapoor, who not long ago turned a mom herself, and Priyanka Vadra launched the book in New Delhi. Shefali claims her book, which deals with the emotional and psychological side of a mother-to-be, is the first of its kind.

Shefali, mother of a three-year-old, returned to work shortly after the birth of her daughter to complete her doctorate in clinical psychology and warns all mothers that they have a life beyond the baby — a body and mind, besides a spouse to reconnect with.

Be it a middle-class working woman or a celebrity, an artiste or a fashion designer, they now prefer to continue their career, remain in shape, take on more responsibilities and even train their children according to their timings. They admit it can often be heartbreaking, but they remain strong and committed to their work as well as family.

Says Karisma Kapoor, "I will definitely start doing films after a few months. My baby is too small." Says fashion designer Payal Jain, whose twins are six now, "I was working even a day before the birth of my kids. I never thought I wouldn't work after becoming a mother. In fact, I am now more productive and organised. I give them quality time by spending my evenings and nights with them, as I don't socialise."

Odissi dancer Kavita Dwibedi has put a halt to all her foreign trips for the sake of her one-year-old son. "But I haven't stopped dancing. My baby, trained automatically to my timings, feels happy seeing me dance." Guilt, though, never leaves these mothers, the `quality time' they spend with the kids notwithstanding. Especially when the little ones unwittingly let them know their absence is felt. Admits fashion designer Reena Dhaka, "When my kids were small, I participated in Mumbai Fashion Week and so on. Since I had to prove myself doubly, to show that my collection wouldn't suffer because of my new commitments, I had to work more. The collection didn't suffer, but the kids did. To erase that guilt, I help them with their homework; take them on trips to compensate." And other mothers, to keep themselves Mummy Number One, subscribe to websites that keep them posted on how to handle the changing attitude of the baby, their clothes, diet and so on. Many corporate houses now offer a full-time crèche. These are the mothers whose children grow up more confident and understanding. These are the children who treat mothers as respectable individuals rather than just `mom'!

RANA SIDDIQUI

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