Tips for working moms
You’ve just become a proud mom. The new-born baby is a bundle of joy. You simply adore her. She is also a helpless infant who needs constant care. If both parents are working (as is the norm more or less), then how do they manage their schedules? They need to give their best to their jobs; they have to care for their home and their baby.
Since parents are partners, they need to think together. They need to explore the various options available to them and look at the assistance that they can get.
MATERNITY LEAVE FOR MOTHERS:
Most jobs allow maternity leaves. During this time, a mother’s post- natal needs can be taken care of. She can take her baby through the early and crucial stage breast feeding, bathing, changing nappies putting her to sleep; in addition she has to look after her home. All this requires tremendous amounts of time and energy. At a time like this she needs a lot of physical and emotional support from her husband and other family members. Thank God that the family unit is still strong in India (as compared to some other nations).
DAY CARE CENTRES:
Once the maternity leave is over, the mother has to rejoin work. What happens then?
- There are some companies in the corporate world which have taken steps to help their employees. Creches have been opened for children from 3 months upward; meals are supplied and one ayah per three to four children is provided. The parents can visit the children during their breaks.
- There are of course, plenty of privately run day care centers which also cater to the needs of infants. You’ll need to enquire about those in your particular area.
- Some companies allow mothers to work flexible hours from home.
- Some parents prefer that their children be cared for at home. If there are people you can trust and depend on, there’s nothing like it. In fact, that’s the best. I know of many grandparents who have pitched in and are taking perfect care of their little grand children. These grandparents and other relatives need to be appreciated for the service they are giving. Of course, this help cannot be taken for granted.
- One other option is for husband and wife to take turns at caring for the baby and being at home. This is possible if the couple is doing shift duties. So if the husband is on night duty and the wife is on day—the husband is at home during the day and the wife is out at work—vice-versa.
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Generally speaking, traditional norms are changing. Because of the pressure of making ends meet (or whatever the motivation for both parents working), interchanging of roles to a degree has become a necessity. There is no shame in a woman adding to the family kitty, or in the man of the house making meal. It’s all about partnership.