How to Manage a Career and a Baby


How to Manage a Career and a Baby - Thirty-five-year-old Ananya Kotian is an accomplished copywriter thriving in the lucrative advertising business, and an even more successful mother to her two young daughters. Interestingly, her life wasn't as rosy a few years ago when, newly shouldered with an additional responsibility of motherhood besides marriage, she had to give up her high-flying career to change nappies and sing lullabies. A decisive introspection, forthright communication with her family and a methodical negotiation at her workplace was all it took for her to find her feet back.

This is where organisations like Fleximoms, a service helpline that guides anxious-to-be-working mothers towards professional flexibility and optimum utilisation of skills, come into the picture. Anita V, co-founder of the ini tiative, says, "Today, companies are looking at different talent pools and women encompass a major section of that. It is often difficult for women to reorient themselves professionally after stepping into the threshold of motherhood."


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You’re the best judge

Deliberating on your goals and negotiating with yourself about what you want to give up and what you want to keep is the first step in decisionmaking. Be clear on what you want out of life and weigh the pros and cons in detail. Twenty years on, you shouldn't wake up one fine day and lament, "Damn my career! I wish I'd had the time to fuss over my daughter's dolls..."


Start with an ideal, end with a deal

Once you are sure of what you can deliver qualitatively, it's time to make up your mind on how much time and energy you wish to devote to your workplace. It doesn't hurt to negotiate with the HR department on certain terms and conditions that you put forward. Make sure your demands are compatible with the company's objectives.


Don’t mix business and pleasure

No. They are not supposed to be getting on like a house on fire. You bring some pending files home or bawl about the woes of parenting to your superiors, and you have just landed yourself in a new complication. Really, your kid wouldn't like to see you furiously typing away at your computer while she is fuming over a face-off with her best friend.


Prioritise


You have to choose what's dearer to you - attending that dance programme your kid's been raving about or the crucial meeting your boss has scheduled. Don't try to be a perfectionist, you’ll end up muddling both.


Be organised


Nothing is more important that starting your day with a meticulous plan. A disorganised to-do list will wreak havoc in both worlds. Have your appointments in place and deadlines sorted out in a way that an unanticipated event would not upset in your schedule.


Childcare facilities


Many organisations are opening up to the idea of setting up crèches in offices for working mothers. Avail yourself of such conveniences. Don't be shy to take help from family or find a babysitter. The keywords for this search are dependability, experience and time. Do not feel guilty about letting another person take care of your little one. ( idiva.com )





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