Category Archives: being a mom

Mothers and Freelance Jobs: A Match Made in Heaven

Feb 4, 2023 Mom and Ideas 4 Comments

In today’s fast-paced world, many mothers, especially those who left their full time jobs after pregnancy, are taking on freelance jobs as a way to contribute to the family’s finances, pursue their passions, and have a better work-life balance. In most nuclear families that don’t have a support system or possibility of a nanny or daycare, this happens once the child enters Grade 1 which essentially means longer school hours than preschool. This is also when the child has started becoming independent and can do certain things by himself / herself. That said, being a stay at home mom (SAHM) is a much tougher job and we hope that people respect the choices of a woman, whether she wishes to pursue her full-time career, a part-time job, a remote working option or a full-time (unpaid) task of a homemaker.

Freelancing offers a flexible schedule and the freedom to work from anywhere, making it an ideal option for mothers who want to balance their professional and personal lives. They can take on freelance projects during naps, after the kids go to bed, or even in between playdates and errands. This allows them to earn a steady income while being able to spend more time with their children of that is what they prefer.

The rise of the gig economy and remote work has also made it easier for mothers to find freelance jobs. From graphic design and content creation to virtual assistance and bookkeeping, there’s a vast array of opportunities available. Furthermore, platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer make it a little easier for mothers to find clients, market their skills, and get paid.

One of the biggest benefits of freelance work is that it allows mothers to pursue their passions and interests. Whether it’s writing, photography, or web development, freelancing provides an outlet for mothers to showcase their talents and grow professionally. This can also serve as a source of inspiration for their children, who can see their mothers following their dreams and being successful in their careers.

In conclusion, freelancing and motherhood are a perfect match. With the flexibility and freedom it offers, mothers can fulfill their responsibilities as a parent and professional, all while doing what they love. Whether it’s to earn extra income, follow their passions, or have a better work-life balance, freelancing is a fantastic opportunity for mothers to take their careers to the next level. It really helps to have some financial independence, right?

If you are a mom and have been able to pursue your career after a break, do drop a comment to guide other moms looking for opportunities. Please refrain from promotions, kindly only share about job platforms that helped you.

being a mom

What I did today when my daughter was at school!

Jan 12, 2023 Mom and Ideas Leave a comment

They say a woman should not interfere in another female’s kitchen. Well, I did that and the other female appreciated it 😊 Read on to know more!

I love toys, I guess more than my four-year-old kid 🤣 So I had my best friend come over yesterday. We met after 6 years as she stays in Australia and I in India. I met her younger 5-year-old daughter for the first time and she met my kid for the first time too.

We five gals had a great nail party and Draw the stem of the Apple game after having some dosas and followed by “Meeting Friends” Cake cutting time 😊 The girls decided to play with the kitchen set and made us some pretend snacks and tea. Oh what cute moments 😘😘

They tidied up the toys but we were in a rush to go out and the box wasn’t closing! So today, when my daughter went to her school, I decided to organize her kitchen things in the box. It was surprisingly therapeutic! Not a big deal but some things were sorted while sitting on a couch and it felt so good. Well, that my real kitchen is a real mess currently but one thing at a time 😊 Here’s a little video of the kitchen toys organization (simple stuff) that I put up on YouTube, do have a look.

Organising Pretend Play Toys – Kitchen Sets

PS We don’t have so many kitchen toys because of the gender of my daughter. She loves Lego, stem activities, puzzles, cars, equally. But we happened to receive many kitchen toys as gifts for her, and she loves them all!

I hope you have subscribed to my YouTube channel @momandideas as I am posting some interesting videos you might like.

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ig4kyZFolWg?feature=share

being a mom, mom interviews, parenting

Following your passion after a long break post childbirth is possible: Deepa Anand – Mom Interview

Jul 20, 2022 Mom and Ideas 4 Comments

I spoke to Deepa Anand, an artist mom who shares about her journey as a mom and an artist. Check out her Instagram page @deepa_artwork to see her amazing nature-inspired paintings.

Tell us something about yourself

I am an abstract artist and a mom to a 10-year-old boy. I create abstract paintings, mostly using acrylic paints. Recently, I have started making natural colours that can be used for painting. I also organise workshops like mud play for kids as well as grown-ups. It brings us so much closer to nature and it is kind of meditative. You can say that I am all about the love for nature.

How did you manage career and motherhood?

Honestly, I struggled a lot and ended up taking a long break that was not my initial plan. It took me years to strike a balance but I had to prioritise. Every mom’s circumstances, health, struggles and support system are different and I believe no one should compare moms. For me, it was not quite possible to manage full-time work while raising my kid in his early years.

Tell us about your journey to motherhood and beyond!

I studied art, came to Mumbai for post graduation in Fine Arts and then started working as a web designer for some time. However, deep inside I knew paintings were my true calling.

I left my job when I was eight months pregnant because my workplace did not offer maternity leave. At that point, I was certain that I will start working again once my baby turned one. But, I ended up being at home for three years. I just wanted to be with my child in his early years but also missed working at the same time.

It was a tough phase and I eventually started working part time. I picked a job that was close to my house. I would drop my kid to playgroup, rush to work, rush back to pick him in time and go home. I was perpetually running all the time, it was insanely exhausting with all the household work as well. I used to earn well when I worked full time but the compromised pay of this job was highly unsatisfying. I kept feeling I deserve better, much better.

Eventually, when my kid was seven years old, I stopped working part time as well. I guess it just wasn’t meant for me. I wanted to focus on him rather than doing a job that neither paid me well, nor seemed interesting anymore. The painter in me kept nudging me to paint instead. My husband also encouraged me and supported me in pursuing my passion.

So did you start painting and exhibitions immediately?

I did start practicing my painting skills initially. I also started networking among artists and taking advice from them. I also visited several art galleries. It didn’t take much time then to stock up on my art supplies. The good thing was that I had the liberty to paint as per my convenience and from my home or studio. This way, I could be with my child and give him sufficient time while also focusing on my passion while he was in school.

So we can say that you gradually ‘brushed’ away your mom-guilt!

Yes, of course! It took me a lot of time to strike a work-life balance and follow my true calling, but I am here now. I think life teaches you a lot with the challenges it throws at you.

What tips would you like to give to moms who took a break from their career but are just not able to restart even after a few years?

See, I restarted my career after a gap of some three to four years. Before that I worked part time as well. I had never thought that I would take a break like that. It somehow led me to what I should have always done – painting! I would like to say that don’t lose hope if things are not going as per your initial plan. Keep the spark alive. If and when you think it is possible for you based on your personal circumstances, give it a try again! Don’t worry thinking if you could ever work again, that is if you wish to resume working. It might take a few months or years, but stay positive.

Remember to:

Never give up
Follow your dreams
Start networking
Start writing your goals (be it work or personal)

If you had a full-fledged career before having a child and don’t wish to start working again, that is okay too. You are a good mom raising a wonderful person, that is what matters the most!

Such an inspiring story, right? Personally, I haven’t been able to give more time to income based work since the birth of my child and was worried if and when I will be able to get back on track. Her story does make me feel better, hopeful and motivated! How about you?

You can check out her paintings on her Instagram page @deepa_artwork and for enquiries about paintings, commission work or workshops, email her on deepaanand.artist@gmail.com

Follow @momandideas on Instagram

being a mom

When a mom falls sick

Jan 4, 2022 Mom and Ideas 1 Comment

All moms can relate to this, right? The younger your child, the tougher it is if you fall ill. Especially, if you aren’t the wealthy types with nannies and house-helps to handle everything while you get the required rest to recover. Lucky you, if you stay in a joint family where everyone supports and helps each other out or better still, if you have a partner who knows all the basic life skills, including cooking, cleaning and CARING!

The current Covid scenario hasn’t made it any easier with the fear of the virus every single time we moms are down with fever, cold, cough or any symptom remotely pointing towards it. We need to isolate ourselves from our kids until we are certain that we are in the clear.

How many of you have dealt with these questions/worries in your head when sick:

What if my child contracts fever or cold (any other contagious illness) from me?
Who will cook for my kid now?
What and how do I cook for myself and the family now?
It can’t be Covid, can it be?
Oh damn, more screen time now!
What about school/activities/playtime at home with me?
How do I manage all the chores?
The baby naps only with me but I can’t touch him/her yet!
I MISS HUGGING AND KISSING MY BABY!

The list is endless (add yours in the comments and I’ll update it).

What really irritates me is when someone asks me, “Oh you are sick now, so who will cook? The grownups can order from a restaurant but what about the kid’s food?” This question often supersedes the questions that can actually make a mother feel better – “How are you feeling now?” Or “How can I help you?”

C’mon, it’s 2022 and moms are humans too, you know, the species that when sick can heal with love, care, rest and medicines. Strangely (or maybe not so strangely), in many Indian households when the husband/kid or any other family member is sick, a wife/daughter-in-law is supposed to cook all healthy meals, soups, cut fruits and what not (which she does willingly, even when not asked for). She cares for them, worries about them and checks on them regularly. Unfortunately, when she is sick, she’s often all by herself and people only want her to get well soon because who will do the chores??? She still does as much as she could, because she just cant sit idle, she’s tuned that way.

So I have a few things to tell each and every person reading this so that the next generation has a better life:

Cooking, laundry and cleaning are life skills. These are not tasks for women alone. If you have a son or a daughter, teach them the same. You should learn every task you need to be done if you stay all by yourself at any point in your life. Dependency isn’t good. Oh how frustrating it was to see men posting videos of cleaning house or cooking when coronavirus and lockdowns just started!
For parents of small kids – Please let both boys and girls indulge in pretend play. Kitchen set, dolls and dollhouses, the washing machine toys, cradle toys are for both gender. Every single time you buy these toys for only girls while opting for cars and tool sets for only boys, you are making a contribution towards gender stereotyping.
Please teach compassion towards all to kids right from a very young age.
Practice gender equality at home. If a kid sees mom doing certain tasks and dad doing certain different tasks, the kid feels that’s the way it is meant to be.

And more importantly, if you have a sick mom/woman in your family, please care for her, check on her once in a while, tell her that she can relax and not worry about the chores, take care of her. If your friend/colleague is sick, please message and check on them because maybe they are feeling lonely in a house full of people where probably no one cares.

If you are a mom who is unwell, please ask for help, even if you need to ask several times. Please listen to your body and say NO when you must rest. Also, your child is observing you and you don’t want the child to grow up thinking that when a woman is sick, she still needs to do everything.

Stay well. Take care.

Hugs and love,
momandideas.com