If one were to describe an iron lady with a dream cum young, dedicated mother – the fitting expression would be rock star mom. What’s a rock star mom? A simple child loving, job loving, idle-fearing person who believes in what the God of Rock said, ‘Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.’
Sanjugtha, a model personality, with nerves of steel, had one focus while juggling between her lack of time and new born son. She didn’t want to take that long a break that most young mothers are forced to take for the sake of their new born. Yet, she didn’t want to compromise on the fact that her child needed her most during those formative years. Thus, together with her husband, she came up with a wonderful new and innovative process, whereby she, her husband and son could spend lots of time together, while still working to achieve their own individual dreams.
Working from home, after all, has its drawbacks, but if you can derive a process and tap the right clients, then it will all work for the better.
So let’s hear Sanjugtha’s story, as told to Paroma Sen-Basu
Tell us about you – What defines Sanjugtha?
In one word, it’s individuality. Individuality is the definition of freedom. I have lived my life my way. I don’t live for others, which makes life easier to lead. I believe in what the great rock star, Kurt Cobain, once said, ‘I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.’
What inspired you to look for work so soon after your delivery, considering that many young mothers just drop their career completely for a few years?
I have Thaasophobia or the fear of being idle. This is why the thought of quitting my job never crossed my mind. But, at that time, I had no idea that being a mother would automatically leave me with no time to be idle. Post delivery, the only thing that changed was my priorities.
In the IT industry (like others), there are roles, where you can be an individual contributor and not work in a team. So I was hoping I could get into any of these roles. The internet helps you to work from anywhere.
I assumed that an organization which talks about diversity would definitely give me flexible options. But it was hard. The problem with today’s generation is that most mothers feel that taking a break in their career will make it hard for them to get back, and compete with their counterparts. So they get back to work, sacrificing the precious time they could spend with their baby, during the crucial formative years.
I tried exploring every possible option so that I could work from home most of the time. I managed to do it for almost a year. I could not continue, because when you are the only person asking for such privileges, employers feel you are asking for too much.
I feel handicapped if I don’t earn myself. So I did not want to stop working.
And last, but not the least, my mother inspired me the most. She is 53 years old and still working. She did her post-graduation when she was pregnant and prepared for her profession until my sister and I went to school. It’s only after that she started her career.
