Did you ever worry about becoming a mother in today’s society? Yes, I worried a lot and I still worry. And the reasons are many.When I was pregnant, I noticed the behavior of people towards an expecting lady when I used to travel in Delhi Metro. I was so disappointed that no one cared to offer me his/her seat when I was suffering on my feet and my baby bump was clearly visible.
Then happened a family incident and argument between me and my husband caused me a high blood pressure upshot when I was 9 months pregnant. I had to take emergency medication to cope up with the situation. For many reasons my mind started running uncontrolled, raging over people around me, who were so insensitive even knowing that I was full time pregnant. However, I thought it was normal at that stage in my pregnancy.
After giving birth to my son my worries increased even more. I am always anxious about his health and well-being. I want to be a good mother. I don’t want my son to ever get hurt or sick. And no matter how I plan and do things, I can’t quiet my fears that I may run out of diapers or my son may get dengue or any other diseases haunting us every year. But I am more concerned about people and the society. Our society’s attitude and treatment toward parents and kids in certain situations have always made me wonder what would happen to me when I become a mother. Co-passengers frown over parents when babies cry in trains or flights. They even pass bitter comments for keeping the baby mum. It’s not just on airplanes. No one bothers to try and help a mother struggling to open the door of any store to exit while also pushing a stroller. People roll their eyes when a baby starts throwing tantrums inside a restaurant. And how I can I forget to mention that most of the men don’t think for a while and lit up a cigarette in front of a pregnant woman.
Now that I am a mother, I am always suspicious about society’s mood towards my son. I can give many examples when I found our society so indifferent and unfeeling. I take my son with me to my office crèche and even my bus mates don’t bother giving me a seat in front rows. We all are aware of conditions of roads in our country and my bus mates know well that sitting in the last seat is not safe with a kid because of jerks and bumps. But still, no one cares to give me his seat if I get late in boarding the bus. I worry that we have become so desensitized and disconnected from others that we can’t even bother to open a door or giving a seat to someone in need. I’m not saying that I expect the rest of the world to give special treatment to me and my child. Of course, there will be mostly my responsibility to take care of my son or remove him from a situation when his actions get out of hand. But at times it may take time or I may need other's help in handling that spot.
The reality is, kids do have their moments and we can’t avoid it. We can’t step outside on an airplane within 30 seconds if our babies cry inconsolably. And a mother doesn’t immediately get a second set of arms when her baby is born, enabling her to effortlessly juggle a baby, stroller and open a door. I certainly don’t expect the world to fall at my feet because I am a mother and I go outside with my still-to-grown-up boy. However, I expect society to become little more understanding to parents. I want to see more kindness for our babies. Am I wrong?
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