Working moms, how are you faring?

Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran made headlines when she took her newborn to work. In a photo posted online, the mayor can be seen holding her months old child as she signs a document. It is reminiscent of the times when former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden and Australian Senator Larissa Waters took their newborns to work. Most workplaces do not offer facilities like a creche for the employee's children. In Thiruvananthapuram, Technopark has had a creche since 2014, joining hands with Kudumbasree, but very few organisations across the state have followed suit. We take a look at other working mothers and how they cope with the demands of their jobs and that of their little ones.


I feel happy I went back to work at baby’s three months
Arya CA, lecturer

I re-joined college when my kid was three-months-old. I also did my PhD viva three weeks after giving birth. But while both my husband and parents are supportive, I face flak for going back to work so soon from others. I was excited that I could go back so soon because it's good for my career. I am financially independent and my child has a timetable which helps him adjust to other people early. I am very happy mentally. My husband steps up and takes care of the child and that's very important too. Baby care must be split between partners; it will make the family healthier in all aspects.


Society must put less pressure on new parents

Minu Alias, Founder of an autism school in Kottayam
In my experience, I've received substantial professional support and a flexible approach, but I recognise that not everyone enjoys these privileges. Only a few individuals have access to such support, and even hiring domestic help can be costly for middle-class families. In these circumstances, some are left with limited choices. When a mother leaves for work, they also worry about whether they are a good parent or not. If society puts less pressure on new parents, they will be able to manage with better mental health. Not having parents around will lead to speech delay and other developmental issues in children and leads to mobile phone addictions in children at a young age. We should consider and address these circumstances also.

My husband and I share chores

Ashly Kurian, a techie based in Thiruvananthapuram
Both my children were in the creche at my workplace in Technopark. Initially, I had hang ups about leaving my children there at barely six months, but seeing them adjusting to the change helped a lot. My husband got paternity leave; the period of leave varies depending on the organisation. With an older kid at home we share chores like cooking so that we can manage time between our children. It takes a combined effort to care for our children.



We should implement better systems for young families
Aswathy Mohan, doctor
Despite being in the medical profession, we only had 90 days of maternity leave, when I had a baby. It starts before the delivery itself if we take leave in the ninth month. Now, maternity leave is for six months. While our society is yet to follow it fully, husband and wife both should have equal part in childcare. That will help ease the struggles of many of the new mothers who return to work. If we advocate best care for babies , we should implement it everywhere.