I had been waiting for Women Writer’s Fest to happen anywhere in NCR since I came to know about it on Twitter and later when I read a blog post on it. The vibes which I got from just reading about the event were enough to pull me towards it. Plus, it is conducted by SheThePeople who I completely admire, there were no second thoughts at all.

So, when SheThePeople announced that they are conducting Women Writer’s Fest in Delhi on March 10th I had to be there no matter what. Everything was going awesome and I was just counting days for this event. Had informed hubby dear too to keep himself free to take care of our daughter A as I’ll be gone for the entire day.

But, it’s like sometimes even the universe conspires to test us. Soon, came the news that I’m pregnant and along with it that hubby has meetings to attend with foreign delegates on the same day. Lovely! (some deep breathing was required). It was time to check on the backups-our Relatives and A’s preschool which also runs a daycare.

Another bomb exploded in no time when was informed that two of my THREE relatives were Out Of Town and one was busy with her in-laws. AMAZING!

Relatives struck off, turn to check on the daycare. The daycare also didn’t work as it runs only till 12:30 pm on Saturdays.

So, the ball was entirely in my court. Being 5 months pregnant and it was a day-long event, hubby suggested to skip it, moreover as we couldn’t leave A anywhere. But, the status quo had changed by now.

It was not just about attending the event I had waited for eagerly, but more about whether I will let go of something I want dearly just because I cannot find a babysitter for my daughter and that I am pregnant!

This pregnancy is definitely taking a toll on my physical strength as I get tired in minutes, which meant if I take A to the event it’s gonna be a hell of a ride. And most importantly I didn’t even know if my 3yo daughter can sit for that long (of course, it’s too much to ask from a 3yo).

Nevertheless, I decided to take A to the event with me. Both A and my professional aspirations are my responsibility and at the end of the day, I have to manage both, anyhow. Plus, there were other reasons behind this decision too-

First, I didn’t want to regret and blame A for skipping the event

Second, I wanted to challenge and prove myself that despite being a mother I can very well manage my work.

Third, I wanted to know how my upbringing with A is shaping her.

Fourth, I wanted to give A a slice of her mother’s future. There may be incidents in future too when she will accompany me.

Of course, I was hell anxious about how I’ll manage it all, especially with my pregnancy. Though A is a darling and I was super confident that she will not put me down, I cannot overlook the fact that she is not even 3 yo and to ask her to be at best for around 7-8 hours is way too much to ask from an adult, let alone a toddler.

To pacify myself somehow I was continuously tweeting about my fear and my helplessness (yes, I did feel helpless not once but many times throughout the day).

And I wouldn’t even in my dreams have imagined in whom would I find support. Any guesses? Let me tell you.

The founder of SHEROESIndia herself. 

Yes, you read it right. I found that much-needed support from SAIREE CHAHAL!

Posted my first tweet and got busy with leaving for the event. When I picked up my phone again there was a tweet by Sairee asking me which city I’m in and I received a DM seconds after my reply to her tweet.

I was left speechless of what I read in the DM.

Sairee offered that her daughter, a babysitter and her dog can give A good company and so I can leave my kid at her place.

Would you believe if I tell you that Sairee and I have never met? Perhaps, she sensed my helplessness and I’m sure without even thinking twice she reached out to me on DM. 

I know that A is an extremely well-behaved, easily manageable, and super enduring child. But, Sairee doesn’t. My daughter could have been an unmanageable, cranky, and difficult child, probably a brat too. But, Sairee didn’t think any of it. She wanted to support a Woman who was struggling between motherhood and work.

Sometimes just a small act of moral support does all the wonders in restoring our confidence, isn’t it? In this #PressForProgress and #PowerWomen era where each of us is being pushed to #TakeCharge and realize our potential, this was my first step.

Though I couldn’t attend much of the sessions at the event, I gained a lot as a person, as a mother, as a woman.

This is only the first part of the bag of experience I had at Women Writer’s Fest by SheThePeople. More coming soon.

 

Hope you didn’t mind the long post.

“This post is also written as a part of the #AlexaTheIncredible campaign hosted by #womenbloggerwb”