1 year of holidays made me a little relaxed as I laid back and enjoyed my time with my baby. Time really flew and it was time to join back work. I was apprehensive and wondering how will I manage home, baby and work.
I made a conscious effort and have made a schedule for myself. My working hours are reduced in order to match Richie's nursery timings. In the mornings, I pack Richie's stuff for the nursery, have breakfast and run for work. My hubby has volunteered to drop Richie to the nursery,so that gives me some breathing space.
In the evenings, I pick him up and set for home. As soon as he is home, he loves to listen to music and play with his toys, while I prepare his favourite dishes. Sometimes he peeks in to see whatz cooking and indicates if he is hungry by saying "mam,mam". We play together, read books, dance and sing songs. Then we have a hot water bath, eat and wind up for the evening.
Life has become a bit hectic after joining work. Nevertheless I am enjoying it too.
Showing posts with label working women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working women. Show all posts
Work Life again
After a 1 year hiatus, I am back to work. It is going to be a nice challenge handling home, baby and work. Not that I am the first one to walk the road, but it is a different challenge for every individual. Richie has just started going to nursery school and he is adjusting himself very well, though he cried a couple of times seeing his mama go.. after all mama was in his vicinity all the time for the past 1 year. How could he bear the separation? And as I said earlier it was a reciprocal feeling. I felt like a part of me was taken away from me.
On the other hand, it feels good to be back at work. It is refreshing and gives a new dimension to life. When I come back home, I am all for Richie. We share stories and play a lot. We have so many new adventures to tell each other.It feels great.
On the other hand, it feels good to be back at work. It is refreshing and gives a new dimension to life. When I come back home, I am all for Richie. We share stories and play a lot. We have so many new adventures to tell each other.It feels great.
Looking for nursery in Japan for Richie
As I have to join back work soon, we are on the lookout for nursery for Richie.
There are 3 types of nurseries in Japan. The first type is the government owned ones, wherein the nursery fees depends on the tax paid by the working parents. Higher the tax paid, higher the fees. For the government nursery you have to apply in the city office (Kuyaksho). Second is the semi-government one, which is affiliated to the metropolitan (for us Tokyo-to). Third one is the private nursery, which is run privately by an individual or private organisation.
In Japan, the academic year is from April-March. April is the best time to get admission. Other time of the year, it becomes difficult to get admission as the nurseries get full and there are several people in the waiting list. We are having a difficult time to get entry. We tried several ones, but still no luck. Lets see what happens. Keep trying!!
There are 3 types of nurseries in Japan. The first type is the government owned ones, wherein the nursery fees depends on the tax paid by the working parents. Higher the tax paid, higher the fees. For the government nursery you have to apply in the city office (Kuyaksho). Second is the semi-government one, which is affiliated to the metropolitan (for us Tokyo-to). Third one is the private nursery, which is run privately by an individual or private organisation.
In Japan, the academic year is from April-March. April is the best time to get admission. Other time of the year, it becomes difficult to get admission as the nurseries get full and there are several people in the waiting list. We are having a difficult time to get entry. We tried several ones, but still no luck. Lets see what happens. Keep trying!!
6 month old baby feeding and sleep schedule
After all these days of on-demand feeding, I realized that Richie is still not getting enough. He was always hungry. I wondered, “what is going wrong? am I not feeding him properly?” I realized that though I was feeding him, it was all haphazard. He used to be not hungry enough and then refuse food. I used to think he had his feed and next within an hour he was hungry again.
My friend advised me to make a schedule. She said, once he is on a schedule, he will wake up for his feed at the stipulated time. Yes, it will seem difficult initially, but will be very beneficial to both of you in the long run. Some days in the schedule, and I am a happy mom. I even get time to blog as I am no longer worried whether he is getting enough. When it is time to eat, I feed him and he too is happy.
I am posting Richie’s schedule here. I thought, it might help someone who, like me is craving for time to do something for themselves. This schedule is just a guideline and you can change it to suit your baby.
8am – Wake up, drink breast milk/formula
8.30 - Play and Sleep (about 2 hours)
11am – Breast milk/Juice/Water and Play/Learn/Exercise
1pm – Lunch of rice and vegetable
1 – Sleep for 2-3 hours
3.30pm - Drink breast milk/Formula
4-6pm - Play, go for a walk in the park, drink water/juice
6.30pm – Light Snacks sweet potatoe, apple/banana puree, fruits yoghurt etc
7pm – Oil Massage and Bath
8pm – Catnap for 30 mins if the bath was too tiring;)
8.30pm – Dinner of rice porridge with fish/vegetables
11pm – Breast milk/formula
11.30pm – Sleep (+wakes up once or twice for feeds)
My friend advised me to make a schedule. She said, once he is on a schedule, he will wake up for his feed at the stipulated time. Yes, it will seem difficult initially, but will be very beneficial to both of you in the long run. Some days in the schedule, and I am a happy mom. I even get time to blog as I am no longer worried whether he is getting enough. When it is time to eat, I feed him and he too is happy.
I am posting Richie’s schedule here. I thought, it might help someone who, like me is craving for time to do something for themselves. This schedule is just a guideline and you can change it to suit your baby.
8am – Wake up, drink breast milk/formula
8.30 - Play and Sleep (about 2 hours)
11am – Breast milk/Juice/Water and Play/Learn/Exercise
1pm – Lunch of rice and vegetable
1 – Sleep for 2-3 hours
3.30pm - Drink breast milk/Formula
4-6pm - Play, go for a walk in the park, drink water/juice
6.30pm – Light Snacks sweet potatoe, apple/banana puree, fruits yoghurt etc
7pm – Oil Massage and Bath
8pm – Catnap for 30 mins if the bath was too tiring;)
8.30pm – Dinner of rice porridge with fish/vegetables
11pm – Breast milk/formula
11.30pm – Sleep (+wakes up once or twice for feeds)
Dream World - The land of the rising sun
After 2 days of continuos rains, the sun-god decided to shine on us. I am standing in my balcony and it feels great to breath the fresh air after the clouds have cleared up the sky. I like to bask in the morning sun, happy and contented about where I am and what I am doing. Sometimes it looks like a dream. I am working in Tokyo, Japan - The land of the rising sun, one of the world’s costliest city. It’s been more than 4 years for me here and I have enjoyed every bit of it with my hubby. It is a dream come true. In here, it is important to learn at least conversational Japanese language and I did it first thing after landing.
Another feather to my cap is, I am a MOM now and this feeling brings me a great deal of satisfaction and happiness. Richie was born here in Japan, this January, 2009. I started this blog because of him to pen down my thoughts about motherhood. I hope you feel good reading it.
I am proud of my son who is growing with each passing day to be a handsome individual. He is 6 months old now. He is learning and gaining the right skills and we are happily enjoying the days together. How good I feel to take care of his needs knowing that this li’l angel is depending on me for his every need. I know he will soon grow to be an independent person. Until then I am going to be loving mom, his guide, philosopher and above all his best friend.
Another feather to my cap is, I am a MOM now and this feeling brings me a great deal of satisfaction and happiness. Richie was born here in Japan, this January, 2009. I started this blog because of him to pen down my thoughts about motherhood. I hope you feel good reading it.
I am proud of my son who is growing with each passing day to be a handsome individual. He is 6 months old now. He is learning and gaining the right skills and we are happily enjoying the days together. How good I feel to take care of his needs knowing that this li’l angel is depending on me for his every need. I know he will soon grow to be an independent person. Until then I am going to be loving mom, his guide, philosopher and above all his best friend.
The Super Mom
If you are a working or a non-working mom, you have to develop multi-tasking skills. We are the project managers, the financial ministers of our home and we have to see to it that every task is executed successfully. There is no room for delays and errors. Else you get lots of complains. ;)
Agreed that working moms may have added responsibilities, but when you are full-time moms you tend to do extra activities of taking care of everything at home. From the start of the day, we are busy juggling and getting things done right from breakfast, laundary, cleaning, cooking, checking bills, food stock etc etc. The list is endless. On the baby side, preparing baby food, feeding, diapering, bearing up with tantrums during feeding and otherwise etc. We feel we have to make everyone happy. We want to get most of the things done in the few hours we have. Sometimes I feel, “I wish I had more time”. I would rightly give the title “SUPER MOM” to all of us.
Do you think it is worth it? No doubt about it!! It is worth every second. The joy you see on your baby’s face wipes out all the tiredness. The love and laughter makes you do more and more for him. The hugs and the wet kisses on your cheeks are enough to get you rolling…. These days will pass soon.. There won’t be these tiring days and mind you…there won’t be these hugs and kisses too. So make the best of these lovely days.
Though I am saying all this, do not be a SUPER MOM all the time by doing everything on your own. We tend to get so engrossed with home and children that we loose touch with ourselves. Ask for help whenever required, maybe from your hubby, your parents, your friend or a good old neighbour. Take time out for yourself too, so that you feel rejuvenated and can shoulder responsibilities in a better way.
Agreed that working moms may have added responsibilities, but when you are full-time moms you tend to do extra activities of taking care of everything at home. From the start of the day, we are busy juggling and getting things done right from breakfast, laundary, cleaning, cooking, checking bills, food stock etc etc. The list is endless. On the baby side, preparing baby food, feeding, diapering, bearing up with tantrums during feeding and otherwise etc. We feel we have to make everyone happy. We want to get most of the things done in the few hours we have. Sometimes I feel, “I wish I had more time”. I would rightly give the title “SUPER MOM” to all of us.
Do you think it is worth it? No doubt about it!! It is worth every second. The joy you see on your baby’s face wipes out all the tiredness. The love and laughter makes you do more and more for him. The hugs and the wet kisses on your cheeks are enough to get you rolling…. These days will pass soon.. There won’t be these tiring days and mind you…there won’t be these hugs and kisses too. So make the best of these lovely days.
Though I am saying all this, do not be a SUPER MOM all the time by doing everything on your own. We tend to get so engrossed with home and children that we loose touch with ourselves. Ask for help whenever required, maybe from your hubby, your parents, your friend or a good old neighbour. Take time out for yourself too, so that you feel rejuvenated and can shoulder responsibilities in a better way.
Pregnancy - Maternity Leave
The last few months, I was working non-stop as I had a deadline to meet. It was good to complete the work and start my maternity leave. What a respite!! :) I am in the 3rd trimester and have completed 36 weeks 2 days. It was fun working though, as my mind was occupied and baby also could enjoy the lovely walks to office. But, now that I am feeling little heavy, I cannot sit for long hours at the computer so it is a welcome change.
We had a small office get-together celebrating the end of a hectic year. My colleagues wished me for the days to come and for the birth of my baby. I am enjoying my days at home, setting up the house and making it cozy for our baby. I took out all his new clothes, toys and arranged them. It was a warm feeling. I spoke to baby and told him all that we have got for him. He was excited. Now baby hears and responds to my voice.
I have also put my hospital bag in place with all the necessary stuff for labor. I am planning to do regular exercise to strengthen my pelvic muscles and preparing myself mentally for the lovely days ahead. I know it will be very simple and easy. I just need to remember to relax. :)
We had a small office get-together celebrating the end of a hectic year. My colleagues wished me for the days to come and for the birth of my baby. I am enjoying my days at home, setting up the house and making it cozy for our baby. I took out all his new clothes, toys and arranged them. It was a warm feeling. I spoke to baby and told him all that we have got for him. He was excited. Now baby hears and responds to my voice.
I have also put my hospital bag in place with all the necessary stuff for labor. I am planning to do regular exercise to strengthen my pelvic muscles and preparing myself mentally for the lovely days ahead. I know it will be very simple and easy. I just need to remember to relax. :)
Pregnancy – Work Life Balance
As my job involves sitting long hours at the computer, I see to it that I take mini-breaks every 1 hour. During this break, I take a walk and relax my neck, shoulders, back, hands and legs by doing some simple exercises. I also practice deep breathing and drink a lot of water. Actually going to work, has helped me develop a good routine. It helps me to be active and sharpens brain cells. I would have been lazy being at home putting on too much of weight. For baby too, it is good experience listening to intelligent talks happening around in the office. He will becomes smart and develop good communication skills .
It has happened to me !! :)
Yes, it has happened to me. :) I am 4 weeks pregnant now and 8 more months to go. I am very excited. I am a working women and many of you may relate to this experience as well, as we all go through the same. I would like to share my pregnancy experiences with you. What a nice journey it is!!! So wait and watch for more.. There is lots to come.You can share your views too so that it can help other women too.
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