I think it is tough to be a working mom. Though such moments like the one I have described below are few for me, the intensity when it happens everytime is too much to handle. I know every working mom in the world can associate with me on the guilt part for not spending enough time with the child.

My thought on this was kindled because of what happened at home on Saturday. I was feeding Kimaya her lunch. Normally this is the task which the maid completes in 15 minutes flat – for her, it is just part of her job and she has mastered it… With me or for that matter anyone in the family, Kimaya takes the liberty of running around, jumping up and down, spitting what is fed - anything that would test your patience. She was doing the same and I was elated when finally there were only two spoonfuls left in the bowl and she looked full.

My mom looked at what was left in the bowl and commented– ‘Give it to the maid, she will finish feeding it’. I got really WILD. I tend to ignore such comments normally, if it is said once, but if the same is repeated a couple of more times, then it gets on my nerve. Luckily I did not start screaming or show my anger – I tried analyzing the situation when I cooled down. I could clearly see that my mom’s intention was, in Kimaya’s usual meal two spoons were left and hence she should not feel hungry. For me, it was like telling me that I did not know how to feed my OWN kid!

It is not only this, but I feel bad and guilty on several occasions. Since the world is full of working moms and at work I share my feelings with some of them, I try not to be emotional and take any decisions hastily. Advice my fellow friends also to be patient like meJ. This too shall pass!

Can a day have more than 24 hours? I think that’s what we need in today’s world.

I want to spend time with Kimaya, get deeper into the tasks that I do in office, want to learn music, exercise, finish some household tasks, spend time with parents and grandmothers, blog, get some rest at the end of the day and especially weekends. Time just flies, I’m unable to do justice to even the first two in the above line…

I just run, run and run from doing one to another and the thought on the next thing on my mind pushes me to do an ‘OK’ job of anything I do. I know I can excel and do it thoroughly, but time???

I see that most of us prefer watching movies at home over theatres;twenty twenty matches over tests, buffets over elaborate dinner, tinned foods over cooking - shortened versions of just anything (even prayers) as saving time becomes far more important than the pleasure of doing it the old ways. I feel bad that I don’t even have time to talk to my grandma for 10-20 mts continuously nowadays, especially if I go to her place with Kimaya.

Are we really having a better life than our parents/grandparents? With all the improvements in technology, infrastructure, economy, etc., etc.,, shouldn’t that have been the case? I really really doubt it sometimes...