Emotions

At the 12 th Middle East Family conference, 9th Dec 2019 ????
Thank you Campden AbuDhabi and Aneel for offering me the role of a moderator for the topic ‘New Ways of Thinking’.
And thank you -Fares Khalid Bugshan, Ghazalah Moloobhoy, Bernhard Gademann and Thomas Zhang for generously sharing your views.
We had refreshing insights on the next gen’s priorities, their focus towards the growth of the family business and how they are able to assertively lay their footprints and balance the changing attitudes between the generations. What resonated with me was the next gen holding on to family values and respect, and the focus and passion for their work to drives them to success.

Game of Change talk on 19th Sept 2019, at Powai, organized by Dr Bhavi Modi, for Vrudhi Holistic Health Care.

Dr Bhavi Mody runs Vrudhi Holistic care and is a holistic doctor and homeopath who is passionate about conducting talks and events in the space of health and holistic living. Feeling happy to be able to contribute, take back and share my thoughts on stress and its effect on people and some easy tips to move to Zen at times.

Some online links for the same:

Link: https://bit.ly/2mzdcAU

 Link: https://bit.ly/2kZQMs4

Portal: Nat24 Link: https://bit.ly/2l4XgGg

Sharing links to my article titled ‘Don’t judge your Kids: A mom shares her parenting wisdom’

Online: Indian Express   Link:  https://bit.ly/2OpME2o

Links to the cooking Show: Maa Ki Baat, Episode 11, Kerala Iyer Sambar, featuring guess who:)

23th July 2019

‘We all have food memories don’t we? Let’s hear this mom’s food stories and memories while cooking up Kerala Sambhar in today’s episode..’ -Chef Ranveer Brar
#MaaKiBaat

YouTube line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Af0RMAvDX8&t=23s

Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/RanveerBrar/videos/360403394644385?s=646157728&v=e&sfns=xmo

A Fun Video link:

https://www.facebook.com/RanveerBrar/videos/456749195176273?s=646157728&v=e&sfns=xmo
‘Sharing some fun & interesting memories tomorrow with Geeta ji as we cook up…. what are we cooking? Well, stay tuned to find out!’ – Chef Ranveer Brar
#Maakibaat

My article as published in the ‘Bold Magazine’, May 2019 issue.

Happy reading!!!

Link: Geeta Ramakrishnan-Bold Outline-May-July

Some online articles on the ‘Mommy Summit’ at KidZania, R-City Mall, Ghatkopar, Mumbai, which took place in May 2019.

Nat24: https://bit.ly/2E4LPoq (Date: 11 May 2019)

Mumbai News Network : https://bit.ly/30hBBIC    (Date 10th May 2019)

Indian Education Diary.com :  https://bit.ly/2JAcpch (Date 11th May 2019)

Wonder-woman and Super-mans, mothers are no less than all our superheroes, combined. With the percentage of working women on the rise, there is hardly any difference in the number of hardships these women have to face. Having a career after becoming a mom is indeed tough, having to balance your family life, your professional life, while battling the constant guilt and taunts that are in addition to your work stresses, cannot be an easy job.

With five phenomenal women on the panel, KidZania along with Mompreneur circle decided to host a discussion, about the hardships of being a mompreneur. The truth of the not-so-rosy side of it, and how in spite of all of that, these women have beautifully managed to balance their work life and their motherhood. The esteemed panelist include Trupti OakNatekar (Co-founder, PATHFINDERS A Parenting Journey), Ms. Geeta Ramakrishna (Author of #1 Amazon Best Seller book ‘The Game of Change’), Shunila Joy Chauhan (Principal of Thakur International School – Cambridge), Dr. Bhavi Mody (Health Evangelist and Homeopathic Specialist), Gayatri Sundaram (Head of Content, KidZania India), and Ms Poonam Wadera was the moderator (MahaVastu Expert. Astro-Numerology & Dowsing Expert)

“I was absolutely delighted to be the part of this esteemed panel discussion which we had today with KidZania and mompreneur circle. It was a very exalting experience because my fellow panelist was super and amazing in terms of sheer experience and diversity in career. We got to learn so much because there was a principal, an author, doctor and holistic person. The audience was so open it is very interesting to see that because the mother usually doesn’t ask for help or come out to share her experience,” said Trupti OakNatekar, Co-founder, PATHFINDERS A Parenting Journey.

Gayatri Sundaram, Content Head, KidZania opines, “We had a healthy mix of moms across 3 decades of parenting. But the crux still remains that as a mother you should be guiltless, have some “me” time, ask for help, and be sure to distinguish between professional and personal requirements. Be patient and persistent to achieve both professionally and personally. Of course, there will be trade-offs and you need to be welcoming the same rather than fighting to have it all.  Learn from your child how to be happy at all times. Nothing is permanent and if you are a mom who feels the guilt, just remember this too shall pass. Just speak it out, and let go of the negative associations. In the end, you have a beautiful family that you are nurturing. And yes, as a mother you are doing a fabulous job, always! Give yourself some credit! You deserve it.”

Ms. Geeta Ramakrishnan, ontological coach, and Author of #1 Amazon Best Seller book ‘The Game of Change comments, “It was my honor to be a part of KidZania’s panel discussion centered on mom power to celebrate Mother’s day. The panel members were from different stages of motherhood right from mom with married kids (that is me) to mom with an 18-month toddler made an enriching discussion.  We spoke about time management, prioritizing ‘Me Time’, learning to say NO, asking for help and about having an open conversation and developing trust in our children. All power to KidZania and Mompreneurs for organizing such empowering event.”

Poonam Wadera, MahaVastu Expert. Astro-Numerology & Dowsing Expert adds “Balancing Entrepreneurship & Motherhood was an absolutely fabulous event.  The key take away for Mompreneurs is that while you strive to be perfect, do accept that sometimes things will go wrong and that is totally ok.  Additionally, at every step be it professionally or personally, lay the boundary limits of what one can do, cannot do & always reach out for help. Our community at Mompreneur circle encourages women to share their challenges as well as guide and support each other.”

Ms. Shunila Joy Chauhan Principal Thakur International School – Cambridge says, “It was great learning that helped me to appreciate the balance between the two roles: motherhood and career. Prioritizing, time management and self-care through ”me’ time are the greatest gifts to all mothers juggling between the two worlds.”

Manage your energy as a parent and be fully present

Geeta Ramakrishnan

By attending office calls during family time, you are sending the message that they are less important. The best part of childhood is the time you spend together.

The decision to be a parent entails huge responsibilities.

Being a perfect parent is a myth, yet it remains a constant endeavour. To begin with, the decision to be a parent entails huge responsibilities. As prospective parents, you need to give a serious thought to the time, financial, physical and emotional commitment. Yet, sometimes, too much thought, ifs and buts, wondering whether one is capable, if one can afford something, does not work either. The joy of parenthood is something that cannot be explained but needs to be experienced. You can never be prepared enough when your bundle of joy arrives and turns your world upside down. I believe children are a gift from God, as Khalil Gibran penned in these beautiful words:

Your children are not your children

They are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

As parents and especially with young children, you need to be high energy super-parents. You have to multitask, and be there for them and somehow magically manage your work, find time for yourself, your relationship and your social life. Young children depend on you for their physical needs and emotional support. It is worth investing to get a perfect time management routine in place, with both parents chipping in.

In spite of this juggling, often parents need some help and support. Enrolling grandparentsand friends or outsourcing help is often a win-win formula. It can give you some free time for each other, to gather your sometimes chaotic and fast-paced life. This allows you to be fully available as parents, where you are more fun to be with rather than feeling stressed and angry.

When you are with your children, give them your 100 per cent attention. By attending office calls during family time, you are unconsciously sending the message that they are less important to you, while ironically working for your family. The best parts of your childhood are not those expensive gifts your parents gave you, but the time you spent together, the times you laughed and played together. Wouldn’t you want to give the same to your children?

If your life is more organised and disciplined, your children learn by example. Co-create the rules and boundaries together, enrolling the children in the process. Define the consequences of breaking the rules. It need not be severe. Missing weekends out or having to wash the dishes perhaps. And follow through with it. Playing board games or doing a barbeque together are great family bonding exercises.

Your children learn from you. Empower them with good values like mutual respect and empathy. Teach them through example by living it yourself. Engage them in social discussions and increasing their awareness. Allow them to make their mistakes and learn from it, nurturing them into mature young adults ready to transform a better tomorrow, a better world.

(The writer is author of The Game of Change.)