Chai Time Chitchat #21

Many things are happening. Right from Corona in Mumbai/India to Abby's Never ending (seems to me) viral infection. I am not sure from where to start.

I am incredibly stressful about Abby. He has become so so clingy, under-stably. He had high grade fever for three days and now since one day low grade fever. No, he has not shown any coughing or cold symptoms. Mostly like a stomach bug. (Who knows!) With Covid-19 around, it is so scary to take him to hospital. Keeping grandparents away from him is also next to impossible. (Mission Impossible 1 is to keep them home without warning them about Covid-19)

Home front. Home is a warm word, even if it is messy. It is dirty. However, I have realised depending on others to keep it clean is a joke on yourself. The moment your maid is on leave, the panic strikes the elderly because they have forgotten to share their responsibilities amongst family members hence now the pressure is ON. Only on specific people of the home. I would rather partner with my husband and do the cleaning while my baby plays in the cot/play pan or with the nanny. I am not sure why in India this simple act of taking/giving full ownership of domestics tasks is so so difficult?

Work front. Don't even ask. I have been asked to work on US projects along with India projects. It is impossible to do 38294837 things at home, 84375973 for Abby- give him attention and pacify him because he is teething/he is ill , squeeze in time to work in day- leave alone at night. I am this close to resign, because I have zero time to introspect. (Oh the irony!) I have all the time in my life to earn but  moments with my baby (because there are 1039208 people ready to raise him albeit in their own ways) and peacefulness in my life -none are coming back. I have literally done zero stuff for my health or personal development. Zero books, zero painting, zero work out and the world is sharing articles on killing time in lock down.

On a positive note, I have been constantly getting support from Mr.ISB to take rest, while he takes care of vaccuming our part of the flat, cleaning utensils at dinner (while I do it at lunch), cooking dinner (I do it with the help of my MIL for rest of the meals) and baby sitting Abby(which he always always did) We are trying to really pull this through.

What we are not able to is - convincing other members of the family to stop spreading news on Media, keep themselves locked down, stop worrying about the next grocery bill or taking out money.
We are 30+ years old and we can really really manage a family. Blah, nobody is listening. Parents, I tell you!

What's up with you guys? How is Corona Lock Down treating you?

Don't stop having Adarakh wali chai, alright?

Squeeze In?

How the hell do you squeeze in time for yourself? 

You get up at the time your baby gets up, who just want to hug you for ten minutes and as soon as you leave him, he wants to monkey around. 

You feed him, you feed yourself and others. Tea, ah well it is no more a therapeutic experience because you are on a stand by for others to have tea, so that you can peacefully clean your bedroom and get ready. You get your Ola and call your mom who obviously is more interested in talking about your baby. Sometimes she is worried for the sore throat and coughing you have since eternity but oh well, the worry fades away in a minute.

You reach office, have a cup of coffee while rebooting system and making a couple of phone calls. However, you do get ten minutes of peace if you order tea customized for you. However, it is on the mercy of the canteen manager. 

You hog on the lunch quickly while talking to friends you have made. Ten minutes of walk downstairs is something you use to network however the same set of friends do hear to your comments and inputs on 23786 things going in the office. 

You work your ass off and coordinate with those carpool riders to reach home on time or just stare at the browser till you get an expensive cab booked. You buy a couple things needed home, remove earrings in the elevator and enter, Boom!

The baby is happy, you are more than happy. You cuddle and you snuggle. Baby does not leave you and Nanny is packing the bag before time. Mother In Law goes out for a walk while you try to answer calls while playing with the baby. You remember, you had put the cooker on the stove, you remember the numbers of whistles and partially prepare the dinner while playing with the baby. Yes.

You feed the baby, freshen him up and make him wear his night suit. You read him a book and let others play with him while hogging on to the dinner. You put your baby to sleep and you want to sleep as well. But, you want me-time.

Just when you think about it, you get a reminder on an upcoming deadline. You again work and juggle between work, me-time and putting the baby back to sleep if he gets up. You just collapse on the bed, while checking if the alarm is on for 5am next morning.

I am not sure how to 'squeeze in time for myself', when that is what I get to hear when I am seen with droopy tired eyes and fuming mind!

1. Work out

2. A cup of coffee/tea in peace

3. A warm bath

4. A Small 15 mins reading session

How? How do super moms do around the world. How?