Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Motherhood is itself a full-time job, being a mother of 4 kids, introduce us to a day in your life
Ms. Parul Kakad:
It’s only a full-time job if you’re paid for it. You become a mother out of choice not compulsion. Every woman has a right to what she wants in her life. All she has to do is have a voice of her own. Apart from what I just said. There isn’t a typical day in our lives. But I am a sucker for routine. At least for bedtime and meals.
A good night’s rest and food on time just makes for happy and satisfied children.
With this pandemic year, I’ve learnt so much more about kids and their temperament. That made me realise how much structure you need to have in a day. E-schooling has driven me nuts, but I guess we’ve all figured our way around that too.
At my house there’s a “no gadget rule” post school from Monday to Friday. No iPads, phones or television. It freaks me out to see them so tech savvy and plugged in all the time. And as a result, exposed to the real world at such a young age. But there’s only that much we can control when it comes to what they consume. So, I’ve tried to limit it.
So, a typical Monday to Friday routine would be waking up by 7.30 am getting the kids up for e-schooling. I generally stay available to help them and check my own emails, phone calls and plan the rest of my day.
I leave for work after their done from school and come back just in time for dinner around 7:00pm. Afternoons they play with a few neighbourhood friends, read, paint, or anything that they feel like doing – offline.
We have dinner around 7.30 pm and then either play board games, listen and dance to music, read stories or watch a movie. This is mostly family bonding time, for all of us. Me, my hubby, and the kids. Then it’s off to bed by 9.30 pm max. With bedtime prayers where we thank God for something non-materialistic that’s moved us that day. Or something that they’ve been grateful for. I recommend this one routine to all parents to encourage their kids to do, a gratitude list will go a long way in making them aware of what they have. Post this is “me time” where I probably hang with close friends or watch a movie. Or if I’m having one of those crazy work weeks, then my day ends around 1:00 am.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You mentioned that your fitness journey began after you were diagnosed with cervical spondylitis, what fitness regime do you follow? Also often mothers are unable to focus on fitness after having kids. 5 Tips for Mom-to-be and mom with a newborn
Ms. Parul Kakad:
About 6 years ago I had a spondylitis attack where my entire right arm was dysfunctional. I couldn’t even pick up a piece of paper. I wasn’t allowed to pick my kids for months and my third child was only 9 months old. For a mother to be unable to lift her child is so traumatic, I can’t even begin to explain it.
I had to be taken into surgery in an emergency and then I had 6 months of physio and started basic training and was introduced to yoga and got myself a professional trainer. My post-partum journey was tough, but it was a step ahead for me in terms of what fitness truly is.
People would tell me why, “do you need to go to the gym when you’re so thin?”. This is a BIG misconception that people have. You need some form of physical activity at least once a day no matter what you look like. It’s important for your mind, body and soul.