Hi there! This is the last post of the parent interview series featuring Khadija Rampurawala, Director of Communications and Public Relations. If you missed the previous interviews, you can read them here and here. These interviews have been so helpful in seeing all the struggles and the rewards that connect parents together.
I look forward to incorporating all of these beautiful conversations in my next picture book!
This last interview is particularly inspiring. Unlike Canada, a lot of countries still don’t have maternity leave, and Khadija has raised her son while working full-time with other children. Like the other moms I’ve interviewed so far, Khadija has taken the challenge and rolled with it. She’s grown the organization she works for while raising a healthy and well-adjusted child. Read on for the rest of this powerful woman’s story!
Interviewing Khadija
How has your life changed since becoming a parent, and what challenges have you faced along the way?
Since becoming a parent, my life has been filled with more chores, responsibilities, and stress. However, parenthood has also brought me abundant warmth, love, and a profound sense of purpose. There are moments when my days feel rushed and fast-paced as I attempt to keep up with the never-ending list of tasks. Yet, being a parent has taught me the value of stepping back and slowing down to match the pace of my toddler. For instance, while travelling with my husband, our vacation days used to be packed with activities. Now, when I’m travelling with my son, I carefully schedule just one activity a day, fully aware that my time will be devoted to diaper changes, naps, and feeding breaks.
Becoming a parent has also deepened my sense of purpose, as I am now responsible for another individual’s life. This newfound responsibility encourages me to reflect on my decisions and priorities, considering how they might shape my son’s future. For instance, I have chosen to focus my career within a religious-oriented, family-friendly organization, rather than pursuing a corporate job with a higher salary. This path provides me with greater flexibility in my schedule, facilitating a healthier work-life balance. Additionally, I have become more actively involved in my religion, with the hope that it will encourage my son to maintain a strong connection to our religious community and establish a foundation that supports him throughout his life.
Last, being a parent means that my thoughts are continuously consumed by my son, regardless of the task at hand—whether I am at work, in the bathroom, or enjoying an outing. The presence of my child in my mind, although overwhelming at times, is undeniably wonderful.
Parenthood has introduced me to a world of more responsibilities and commitments, but it has also given me an abundance of love, purpose, and cherished moments. Despite the challenges and the need for constant adaptation, being a parent feels like a privilege, and I’m filled with gratitude.
How do you balance your own interests and hobbies with your responsibilities as a parent?
Since becoming a parent, I feel that my time is no longer solely my own. In the initial year of parenting, despite my best efforts, I found it immensely challenging to carve out time for my personal interests. The needs of my newborn son consumed my days, leaving little room for pursuing my own passions. However, as time has progressed, I have pursued a more proactive role in reclaiming time for myself and my individual needs.
To create moments of solitude and personal growth, I have reached out to my husband and in-laws, requesting that they spend quality time with my son. This invaluable support allows me to dedicate focused attention to my own needs and desires. Furthermore, I have learned to integrate activities I enjoy into the everyday tasks of caring for my son. For instance, while nursing him, I read books and watch shows that bring me joy. During playtime, I put on music that I enjoy and have mini-dance parties. When the weather is pleasant outside, I take my son along in his stroller for long walks in our neighbourhood (that often end in the park).
Not surprisingly, I have discovered that the more I prioritize self-care, the greater my satisfaction in being a parent becomes. By nurturing my own well-being, I am able to provide more care and attention to my son. It is through this balance of tending to my own needs that I find myself better equipped to care for and nurture the needs of my precious child.
In the ongoing journey of parenthood, I have learned to embrace the delicate art of self-care, weaving moments of personal fulfilment into the fabric of my daily life. By tending to my own growth and happiness, I am able to flourish as a parent, creating a more nurturing environment for both my son and myself.
What advice do you have for other parents who may be struggling with the challenges of raising children, and how do you stay positive and motivated through difficult times?
Parenthood is undeniably challenging! I cannot think of anyone who has embarked on this journey without facing difficult times. There is always a never-ending list of tasks to tend to, often exacerbated by sleep deprivation, stress, and fatigue. To help with these stressors, I firmly believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a nurturing community of individuals who genuinely care for and support our family—be it friends, family, neighbors, or anyone who holds a special place in our lives. Having a network of people to lean on diminishes feelings of loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging.
Building such a community requires time and effort, but it is an investment worth making. If you can allocate time for just one thing for yourself, then create meaningful connections. Additionally, it is important to remember that children, like us, experience mood swings and undergo various phases. They can be incredibly adorable, fall ill, become irritable, or become incredibly clingy. However, each phase is temporary and with time, a unique bond forms between parent and child. Once this bond takes root, you may still find them exasperating at times (let’s be honest, most of the time), but you wouldn’t dream of letting them go. The immense joy they bring to your heart becomes an irreplaceable part of your life.
Ultimately, the happiness our children bring us far outweighs the moments of annoyance, creating connections, unlike anything we’ve experienced before.
What’s Your Story?
I’m grateful to Khadija for sharing her journey as a parent. Insights from parents like her inspire me to create stories and illustrations that reflect the diversity and richness of children’s lives.
I would love to hear from you too. How do you relate to children in your life? Was becoming a parent an easy or a hard choice for you? What are some of the biggest obstacles you’ve faced, and how did you cope with them? How do books help you bond with your kids?
It is so important to share our stories and experiences. Please leave comments so we can continue the conversation!
Tasneem Dairywala 