DR. SHEFALI VERMA IS AN INTEGRATIVE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER,
A PARTNER AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTE FOR
BIOPHYSICAL MEDICINE. SHE HAS TWO CHILDREN.
Q) HOW HARD IS IT TO JUGGLE Q) WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR OUR
READERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING
KIDS, FAMILY, AND WORK?
“It was probably a lot harder when they WITH FAMILY AND WORK?
were smaller and when the ‘guilt’ first
started to make its appearance. I went
back to work when they were only
three months old. I am lucky to have a
husband who is so hands-on. We wake
them and get them ready for nursery.
We make sure (most nights), we put
them to bed as well. I am fortunate
to work half days and therefore the
girls spend a lot of their time with
me. Evenings are mainly where David
and I have our time. There is no right
or wrong way; there is only your way.
It helps I have twins and they always
have each other and most of the time
behave like a unit themselves.”
“Asking for help does not make you a bad
parent. I have a fulltime nanny but I do also
call upon my mother some days, if something
comes up at work or if we need to be out
early before the girls’ bedtime. Also don’t
forget your husband. Before you became a
mother you were a wife. The more you grow
together, the more you do together, the less
overwhelming and lonely things will become.
Make sure you have time for yourself.
Remember to take regular timeouts to go
and do things that make you ‘you’. Becoming
a mother should not be about losing part of
you but only gaining. Look after yourself. Be
healthy. Your family and work need you well
and healthy.”
NATHALIE HADDAD IS THE FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF THE RIGHT BITE NUTRITION AND CATERING SERVICES AND OF
NATHALIE’S, A HOMEGROWN COFFEE AND KITCHEN CONCEPT. SHE
HAS ONE YOUNG DAUGHTER AND ANOTHER ONE ON THE WAY.
Q) HOW HARD IS IT TO JUGGLE
KIDS, FAMILY, AND WORK?
“Very! But it’s also a joy, and friends and
family make it easier.”
Q) WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR OUR
READERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING
WITH FAMILY AND WORK?
“Plan your day ahead, your week even
if possible and it’s okay if not all goes
according to the plan! Trust in your
support system and take care of yourself.”
KATIE FIELDER, NEWS ANCHOR FOR DUBAI ONE IS ALSO A RESEARCHER,
WRITER, AND ANCHOR FOR EMIRATES NEWS. SHE HAS TWO CHILDREN.
to do most of our food shopping online,
Q) HOW HARD IS IT TO JUGGLE KIDS,
and then I pop to a separate shop for
FAMILY, AND WORK?
fresh produce as I prefer to choose the
“I think that every woman is juggling, whether
they work or not. In some ways it’s more
challenging in this part of the world as a lot of
expats don’t have family to fall back on, and then
in other ways we’re very lucky as many people
have help at home. I also made the decision to go
part time when having children. It meant cutting
down on my salary and some job opportunities,
but it’s given me precious moments with my
children.
Q) WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR OUR
READERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING
WITH FAMILY AND WORK?
“The struggle is real! I don’t think I manage it very
well, but I am getting better at delegating. I try
best produce. There’s also a lot of small
personal concierge / courier companies
that have started up in Dubai recently,
who offer surprisingly competitive rates
for dropping documents or parcels here
and there. I often use them instead of
going to the other side of town. And I
call a handyman company each month
to help me with odd jobs around the
house- it saves me from having to pester
my husband with a never-ending list
of things to do! I also have a group on
‘What’s App’ of some of my closest
girlfriends. Those ladies keep me sane
and can always make me laugh, even on
the worst day.”
Mar/Apr 2016
37