"

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Am I a good mom?

The husband wasn’t in his elements since a week. As the day drew close, he switched off, his diet parted ways, and as the clock started ticking he used the washroom more, too.

Our baby was going to travel alone. Her first international travel solo @13!

I attempted to be busy so as not to affect her and maintain some semblance at home. But my girl was as chirpy and lively as only she can be. Busy packing, repacking, modelling and making mock videos like her current favourite YouTuber Zoella.

The better part on the day of travel I spent reminding her to keep the passport safe, the keys, phone… which she dismissed with the same air as she does my finish-your-cornflakes-make-your-bed-put-your-stuff-back… instructions.

Finally at the airport… I had to ask for a hug. “Oh mama! You want a huggie,” she said and wrapped her long arms around me saying, “be a good girl, mama!” And she walked off excitedly, while I stood silently praying to the Divine to keep her safe.
 
At the airport...before I could ask for a hug

I returned home and sat wide awake into the wee hours until the take-off time. Later, my friend laughed, asking: “Crazy you. Didn’t you have an early morning the next day…”

But crazy and more I am. I was. And I will be.

Over a decade back, in 2002, on a chilly December night I stood weeping at the Dubai airport watching my one-year-old being carried away from me. Those were the years when the system had failed me. And people, too. Women especially. But none saw my tears. That I was determined about. Not even my family.

With no visa to sponsor our baby, we decided to let my mom take her while I stayed back to switch job. The toughest decision I have taken to date. I was called a hard-hearted person; accused of being too selfish… “Career can be made later. Not kids,” said a friend. A woman colleague even exclaimed, “Are you a mother!”

The taunts haven’t stopped. Even now old-timers find me a classic example for anything related to motherhood. One of them said at a recent gathering, “Nisha! she’s a different make. Imagine staying away from your newborn…” the laughter and expert comments at the lunch table continued, while I switched off as I’ve mastered that art effectively over the years.

But my mastery makes all know-it-all-women believe I deserve their advice. When my girl was asking her dad a doubt in Math, a friend who was at home, said: “Why are you wasting her time with subjects like algebra… children need to do what they love to do…” I can’t remember if I laughed.

On another occasion, on hearing my girl talk about her classmates, she spat, “Take her away from that damn school! Why don’t you put her in…”

Every time, I am privy to such accusatory comments, I wait for the night to fall, when my girl comes over to give me her good-night kiss. Those nights I hug my baby tight and thank the Divine for giving me such a wonderful child. I turn over, pretending sleep, so she walks off to her bedroom quickly. And then I let it flow under the covers….silently… I’ll let the world spew on me. I’ll soak it all in…silently... praying my baby blooms into a beautiful lady with a heart to understand people, women, especially!

10 comments:

  1. Its tough.. but sometimes tough decisions need to be made. I have seen another acquaintance part with her 4 month old child because, there was no one to take care of her in the UK. She being a nurse and having to work on shifts, there was not much choice. They sent the child back to her mother who will be more caring she felt. Everytime I used to talk to her, she would exclaim about the impending parting. It was very tough and painful. I can understand how you must have felt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for sharing your friend's experience Ls and relating to me.

      Delete
  2. I was brought up in a similar situation too. Left with my grandparents when I was 6 months old until I turned 6 years old. I was raised like a princess by my grandparents and I think that was the best decision my mom took, though it broke her heart to part from me. Now, when I have a Lil one who's just turned 9 months, I understand her pain, her struggles and her sacrifice. Stay strong Nisha. You did nothing wrong. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yea Nancy, I entirely understand. My parents will do anything for a minute with my daughter. So wonderful of you say that you now understand you mom's pain. Thank you for the support! cheers

      Delete
  3. Nisha you took a wase decision in the interst of your baby. People will say many things but you ust ignore them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Everybody has their reasons Nisha, and those reasons do not make them lesser parents. In fact such situations just strengthen the bonds between the child and parents, in a healthy environment.
    I've been in and out of the house for last 8-9 years for professional reasons and my 16 year old son understands better than anyone why it is important for me to be away, and it doesn't bother him as much as it bothers the so-called well-wishers ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete