Motherhood

Spending time with my daughter on mother's day in her hostel was least on my agenda, but guess that was destined for today and I am enjoying every bit of it.
Having had a very conventional upbringing my own relation with my mother was quite traditional but she is the strong force behind my educational, professional and ofcourse personal journey.

My experience of motherhood has  taught me many a things and I am sure few more lessons to be learnt

1) Being a mother is being part of Nature's miracle : Giving birth to other living being is the nature's best miracle for expansion and I am grateful for it.  It is still surprises me how suddenly after giving birth to a child you start intuitively understanding how to take care, protect, nurture etc. (While this is also related to hormones, mother nature has a huge role to play to instill these emotions in us)

2) Being a mother is not just about caring and protecting always :To begin with, I thought being a mother was all about being around her, taking care of her against any hurts, it's much later I realised it is also about letting her fall, get up on her own and start walking again. Yet be there, when she needs you.
It is a difficult balance between being a pampering and disciplined mother, guess thats an art.


3) Life skills and Value system is the critical part : As was my duty to hold her hand when she started walking, it was equally my duty and was fun teaching her driving. I enjoy teaching her financial management skills as much as l loved teaching alphabets and colours to an adorable young kid.
Rather than telling her to keep digital platforms away for critical times, we had to make it a way of life at home first for her to subtly take the message .
Going on luxury vacation is only one form of exploration, we have explored trekking, kayaking and meditation retreats together as well.  Ofcourse, both of us have our terms laid out upfront for these outings, we try to enjoy what other one likes too.


4) Parenting is a test of patience : This is tested so often, be it on simple topics of what to eat, wear to complex topics of what professional course to take. When to get up in morning to which stock to invest in.
I am thankful bringing up a child has made me patient in other fields of my life too.

5) Self care : Last but not the least my biggest lesson is as much it is critical to take care of her, I need to take care of myself first, for motherhood is only one part of my life but not the life in total. This is the biggest lesson I want her to take.

I have frankly enjoyed every phase of motherhood and continue to do so but I liked being a friend more than being a disciplined parent. I am sure there are more twists and turns ahead in the journey, both with my mother and daughter and I look forward to it with open arms.