Well, Hello!
Monday, March 7th, 2011From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Hey there GUL blog readers! I am happy to introduce myself to you as the new Monday Mom. My name is Neetika. I am 30 years old and I live in the New York City area. I have been married to a great guy named Joe for almost three years. We are expecting our first child in the coming weeks.
I have always wanted to be a mom, more than anything else. Growing up, I worked hard in school, college and beyond, thinking carefully about my career ambitions at each step. But I knew that it would all take a back seat as soon as I had a little one. Which is not to say that I have no professional goals. Participating in this blog is a big part of my staying active as a writer, which is one of my passions. The fact that I can write about such an important facet of my life, and share those experiences with all of you, makes this that much sweeter. I hope you will enjoy the process as much as I do.
So, I know that I want to be parent. Just one small detail I need to figure out—how exactly do I do that? I have two concerns regarding childcare. First, there’s the ordeal of taking care of a new baby, as in meeting his or her basic needs. But I have a plan to address that, and let’s just say it involves someone named “Grandma” in a major way.
I also consider it my responsibility to raise a child who is well adjusted, curious, and thoughtful. When my children are in school, I intend to be an involved parent. However, children don’t go straight from the hospital to the classroom, do they? The several years spent at home as an infant and toddler are among the most formative. So how do I make the most of them?
I don’t actually have the answer to that— which is why I am so pleased to be involved with the GrowUpLearning community. Engaging your child in learning activities that are part of your daily routine is not only convenient, it makes sense. How better to teach your child new skills than through real-life applications? This approach makes me feel like even the most tedious tasks I will perform as a busy mom are for a truly greater purpose. It provides the perspective I want and the plan that I need to be the mother my young child deserves. I look forward to sharing those adventures with all of you.