Mother’s Day is a day for many people to show their appreciation towards mothers and mother figures worldwide. Often in our endeavour to appreciate mothers on this day, we inundate them with choicest gifts, and telling them how much we value them in our lives.
This year Indian Weekender thought to do something differently and hear from mothers, instead of telling them how much they are valued about how they manage to do things for which they are so valued.
Celebrated in over 40 countries, Mother’s Day honours the mothers for their love, sacrifice and the bond they share with their children. Be a single mother, a homemaker, a working mother, motherhood is challenging and yet an enchanting experience for a woman.
Like homemakers, working women face a further challenge of creating a balance in work, life and giving time to their children. New Zealand will celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14.
Indian Weekender spoke to some of the working mothers in Auckland who shared glimpses of their journey being a proud mother, managing work and children.
Ella Kumar (left) and Sabitra Kandel (Right)
Ella Kumar, Local Board member and health and wellbeing promoter:
Motherhood is challenging. The feelings of giving in to anything the children say or want, especially while working, it is easy just to say yes to them then, but there are always consequences that follow. So separating their demands and requirements is important. To make an instant decision that is right for them in our stressed and overworked life is quite a challenge.
Nevertheless, I do enjoy being a working mother, it is also a stress buster for me, speaking to them and spending time with them is bliss. The one thing I enjoy about being a mother is being able to "give" that unconditional love.
Sabitra Hari Kandel, Indian Takeaway owner:
I have two children, nine and eleven years old. As they are growing up fast, keeping up with their pace of need gets quite challenging at times, but it also gives me a sense of satisfaction and completes my day. Like many working mothers, I have to get them prepared for school, make sure they take their meals on time, they get adequate outdoor sports time, study time and I get to spend some quality time with them.
Akshita Nama (left) and Vandana Patel (Right)
Vandana Patel, Real Estate Agent:
On a daily basis, the challenges of being a working parent are many like managing time between work and pick-up/drop-offs, their sports commitments, extracurricular activities, prepping meals and just making sure we as parents spend time with our boys.
I have to be organised and plan my days and months in order to overcome these challenges. One thing I have learned being a working mother is finding patience in all aspects of life, and motherhood has given me an entirely different perspective of life. Akshita Nama, Retail Manager:
I am very lucky that I have my parents and my in-laws who look after my boys while I work. At the same time I miss them a lot and have a sense of guilt always that I could be there for them more. I think the best part of being a mother is seeing your children grow and learn. It's exciting to see what their personalities are going to be, what their interests are going to be. Nothing compares to the smiles and laughter of your children, it can brighten the worst of days. I love being able to devote myself to the growth of my children, where you come last, being a mum makes you realise how much potential a woman has and how much we can really do. I want to be home to see my boys grow but at the same time I want them to see their mum working so that they know that women can do anything.