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  • Balancing Work and Family: Strategies for Every Parent

    Balancing Work and Family: Strategies for Every Parent

    An Indian working mother cooking in the kitchen while helping her child with homework, laptop open on the table — showing multitasking in a middle-class In

    You know, finding that sweet spot between work and family it’s like trying to keep dal from spilling over on a high flame one second it’s all good, next second, chaos. Most Indian parents, whether in small towns or cities, are constantly playing this juggle. Wake up, make tea, check school group messages, get to office work, then again back to homework and dinner prep it just keeps going.

    A friend of mine, Shweta from Indore, once told me how her day starts with her younger one throwing a tantrum and ends with replying to office mails half-sleeping on the sofa. And honestly, that’s a regular scene in many households, right? Even if you’re in a government job or working from home, it doesn’t get easier the load just shifts shape.

    Why It Feels So Tough for Indian Parents

    Let’s be real in India, parenting is not just about raising children. You also have to manage extended family, attend functions, help in-laws, and sometimes, even deal with nosy neighbours who’ll ask why your kid wasn’t seen in the evening tuition.

    In foreign countries, there’s daycare, there’s a clear “me-time” culture. Here, even if you close the door for a work call, someone will knock and say “aunty is on video call, come say hi.” On top of that, long work hours and commuting add another layer of stress.

    As per a 2024 Family study (can’t recall the exact name), nearly 60% of Indian working parents feel they’re always short on time. Women especially feel double-burdened — working full-time while also managing the house full-time. No wonder many feel exhausted by midweek itself.

    Okay, So What Actually Helps? (No Fancy Tips, Just What Works)

    Let me share a few things I’ve seen or tried myself that actually made life a bit smoother. Nothing dramatic — just small changes that reduce stress.

    1. Don’t Try to Be Perfect, Just Be Present

    Stop chasing the ideal “Instagram mom or dad” dream. Cook what’s quick and healthy, even if it’s upma four days in a row. Forget matching socks or perfect lunchbox notes. Kids don’t mind, trust me.

    Also, learn to say no. To extra projects. To that cousin’s second birthday party across town. To late-night office calls. Your time is limited protect it.

    2. Make Loose Plans Instead of Tight Schedules

    Take 20 minutes every Sunday evening. Note down basic things:

    • Office deadlines
    • School events
    • Grocery stuff
    • Any family commitments

    Use the fridge door or even an old diary. You don’t need a fancy planner. Keep space for sudden things too like power cuts or a sick child. Flexibility is the key, not a rigid timetable.

    3. Divide the Load – Even Kids Can Help

    Don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask your partner to help with bedtime routines. Teach your kids how to arrange their school bags or clean their plates. It takes time, but soon they’ll get used to it.

    Your in-laws can pitch in too — maybe watch over kids during a call or help fold laundry. The more people share, the lighter it gets.

    4. Use Small Breaks to Connect, Not Just Scroll

    Even 10 minutes matter.Family Sit together during evening tea, crack a few jokes, watch a silly video, or just lie down with your kid and chat. It’s not about how long it’s about how “present” you are in those moments.

    Sometimes, I just sit with my daughter while she paints and I sip chai. That’s our quiet time, no gadgets, no stress.

    5. Take Care of Yourself Too (You’re Also a Person, Not Just a Parent)

    Honestly, if you’re always tired and cranky, the whole house feels it. So sneak in small self-care things:

    • A five-minute walk alone
    • Listening to an old song you like
    • Talking to a friend about anything except kids or work

    Also, shut off your work chat groups during dinner. Your boss won’t remember the email delay, but your child will remember that bedtime story you skipped.

    6. For Work-from-Home Folks – Set Some Signals

    People at home often think “you’re always available.” So try this: when working, wear proper clothes (at least the top half), and set a signal like keeping your laptop on a mat or tying your hair a certain way. These visual clues help others take your work time seriously.

    I know a friend who ties a scarf on her chair when it’s there, the kids know “Mumma is busy right now.”

    Final Word: It’s Not About Balance, It’s About Adjusting

    Let’s not fool ourselves there’s no magic formula. Some days you’ll forget the homework, other days, you’ll burn the sabzi. It happens.

    But the heart of it is this: if your child feels loved and heard, and you’re not completely drained, you’re doing a great job. Kids don’t care about spotless floors they remember the laughter after dinner, the random hugs, and those funny moments when the power went out and you all sat with candles.

    So take a breath. Pour that tea. You’re handling more than you know.

    Related Articles:
    If you’re into this kind of content, here’s more: Balancing Work and Parenting: Tips for Modern Parents
    Before you go, here’s another good one: Parenting Tips That Actually Reduce Screen Time

  • Myanmar Earthquake: The Ground Shakes Again

    Myanmar Earthquake: The Ground Shakes Again

    People standing outside cracked buildings in Myanmar after earthquake, looking anxious and alert

    Another Shake, Another Shock

    Just when folks in Myanmar had started to catch their breath after that big March 28 earthquake, the ground gave another scary jolt. On April 13, around 8 in the morning, a fresh earthquake this time 5.5 on the scale hit close to Meiktila. That’s somewhere in the middle of Mandalay and Naypyitaw.

    Now, this wasn’t just another mild tremor. It was one of the strongest aftershocks since last month’s quake. People were already scared, and this one brought all that fear right back. Honestly, it’s not just about buildings shaking people’s hearts shook too.

    Where Exactly Did It Strike?

    This quake hit central Myanmar, about 28 km west of Meiktila. The US Geological Survey said the depth was roughly 10 km. Not too deep, so folks on the surface felt it strongly.

    And this area? It’s not just any spot. Meiktila has been under a lot of pressure recently, quite literally. Sitting between two big cities and along the Sagaing Fault Line, this zone has become a sort of tension point.

    Locals said they rushed out of their homes, markets, and tea stalls. “We didn’t even wait to switch off the stove,” one shopkeeper said. Some towns lost electricity for a bit, adding to the panic.

    But Why So Many Quakes All of a Sudden?

    See, Myanmar sits on the Sagaing Fault. It’s a major crack running through the country, part of a much larger fault system connected to the Indo-Australian and Eurasian plates. You must’ve heard of tectonic plates they’re like slow-moving giant slabs under our feet. When they grind or bump into each other, the earth shakes.

    Small tremors are common in this part, yes. But the recent ones? They’ve been stronger and happening more often. The March 28 earthquake was a 6.0 it damaged plenty of older buildings that weren’t built for such things. This April 13 one may be smaller, but it came at a time when people hadn’t even fully recovered from the last one.

    So the panic was understandable.

    People Ran—Again

    Eyewitness Bits

    In Meiktila, Than Htay, who runs a small tea stall near the main road, said, “We were just opening the shop, and suddenly everything started wobbling. First the spoons clinked, then the glasses toppled. We all just ran.”

    No major injuries were reported, thankfully. But fear? That was everywhere. Schools closed for the day. Hospitals moved patients outside. Nobody wanted to be inside any tall building. Can’t blame them, really.

    This Region’s Been On Edge

    This isn’t just about Myanmar. Few days back, Tajikistan faced a bigger 6.4 magnitude earthquake. All across Asia, it seems the plates below are shifting more than usual lately.

    And for Myanmar, this timing couldn’t be worse. The country is already handling political tension and an economy under pressure. Add repeated natural disasters to the mix, and it becomes a real struggle—for the government, and especially for common people.

    Are Authorities Doing Enough?

    Government folks did issue the usual earthquake safety tips:

    • Stay away from damaged walls and buildings
    • Keep a small emergency kit ready
    • Don’t use lifts when the ground shakes
    • Know which corner in your home is safest
    • Teach children and elders what to do

    All this is good. But people are asking for stronger action. “What’s the point of drills if the buildings collapse?” asked someone from Mandalay. And that’s a fair point.

    What’s needed now is not just awareness but strong buildings and quicker relief work. Because when the same fear keeps coming back every few weeks, it wears people down.

    A Bigger Lesson for Southeast Asia

    These repeated tremors—first in Myanmar, then Tajikistan are not just flukes. They’re signals. The whole region, from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, sits on dangerous tectonic zones. Many cities in these parts still don’t have proper earthquake-proof buildings.

    Japan is one example where even big quakes don’t cause much harm because they’ve got solid systems in place. Strict building codes, educated citizens, proper drills. Other countries, including ours, need to follow suit.

    What Now?

    The people of Myanmar have seen more than their share of hardship. Political issues, economic troubles, and now, quakes. But somehow, they still hold on with courage.

    Yes, the earth shook again. But life didn’t stop. People helped each other. Strangers became family, if only for a few minutes.

    Hope is alive. But let’s not rely on hope alone. This is the time to:

    • Plan ahead
    • Build better
    • Stay informed
    • Watch out for one another

    Let’s not wait for a bigger disaster to make us act.
    If you found this blog interesting, you might enjoy this one too: Waqf Act Controversy: What’s Happening in Murshidabad?

    Interested in this? You’ll also want to read: Myanmar earthquake: What we know