Is Mother’s Day a genuine dedication to the most important woman in our lives, or simply another mechanism for consumerism? Three mothers, Deepti Mahesh, Nidhi Pathak and Prateeti Shukla talk to Priyam Chhetri about motherhood at a time when the notions that surround it are in a state of flux.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Today’s mothers are living proof of that. But is it necessary to have a day dedicated to them or is celebrating Mother’s Day just another marketing gimmick? “Of course Mother’s Day has become commercialised just like everything else. Sales go up in all seasons and for any excuse, but it is still a chance for moms to celebrate their motherhood. And that is absolutely necessary,” says Deepti Mahesh, a mother of two boys and an entrepreneur, who runs the children’s space, Kydz Adda, sipping on her soda.
Nidhi Pathak, 32, a blogger and a mother of one completely agrees. “I agree. Of course it has become pretty much about advertisements. But while that’s true, it is also a day when we can go all out guilt- free! I think stay- at- home moms really look forward to this one day when kids do something special for them. I know I used to when I had just had Eriska.”
Prateeti Shukla, 44, feels a single day celebration isn’t necessary. “Mums work round- the- clock, balancing career and family. I feel treasured every day. It’s a good day for business though,” says the mother of two, who runs the Art Blend café in HSR Layout.
All the women agree that motherhood has evolved over the past few years. “The notion that moms must look a certain way has changed. She can be young, stylish and powerful. It is also rare to find women not working just because they have children. It is quite different from what we saw in our moms,” reflects Nidhi.
“Absolutely!” chimes in Deepti. “You have to try that much harder, but women today are doing it and they ace both.” The three also agree that motherhood has become sort of a partnership with children. “My son is 14 and has been helping out at the café for about a year now. He’s like a friend, a confidante and I’m surprised now and again at what a good partner he makes when lending a hand,” says Prateeti, beaming. Today’s children are quite understanding about their mother’s careers too, believes Nidhi. “They grow up seeing their mummies going to work and so they aren’t as clingy, but it is a good plan to put off having kids if one isn’t ready, because it does require a lot of commitment,” she observes.
Prateeti sees nothing wrong in having children late either. “The concept of the clock ticking is pretty outdated. There is now a growing trend of women puting off having children until much later, like in their late 30s. Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I had my second one at 35,” she points out.
Deepti agrees. “Parental pressure was perhaps one reason why women became mothers early. Since we’re mainly nuclear families now, that pressure is less. Women are also more empowered and can make such decision for themselves. I think planning it whenever, early or later is totally a personal choice and there is nothing wrong with either,” she concludes.
