Zero Guilt Self-Care for Moms: 7 ways to rethink your needs

Zero Guilt Self-Care for Moms: 7 ways to rethink your needs

Having needs is not being needy. Moms deserve some RnR too!
February 14, 2022 — Soumya John
On running a 100% women-led company | Conversation with Meeta Sharma

On running a 100% women-led company | Conversation with Meeta Sharma

Celebrating the power and beauty of women-run businesses with shumee's founder, Meeta Sharma.
March 08, 2021 — Soumya John
Single parenting! Same and different!

Single parenting! Same and different!

How are families different…

Structure - Some families are multi-generational, while others just have a parent and child. Some might have all adults leaving home for work every day; others may have stay at home or work from home adults.

Style – Tough love, consensus, free-range or any other kind of parenting – we all have our own ways of dealing with parenting issues though we all want our kids to be happy, healthy adults.

December 02, 2019 — Shumee Toys
Raising Twins! Twice the fun or double the trouble? Our Rakhi special.

Raising Twins! Twice the fun or double the trouble? Our Rakhi special.

Raising twins is an experience. Yes, it is insanely complicated, but I learned to flow with the craziness and give myself time once in a while to rejuvenate. I love to see the strong bond between them, knowing they will be there for each other. Someday, I am sure that life will be a lot easier. Till then, I love the hugs, cuddles, and kisses that come my way.

This Rakhi, Pratibha shares her experiences of mothering twins. 

August 27, 2018 — Shumee Toys
Best friends forever aka siblings

Best friends forever aka siblings

Fostering close relationships between our kids is one of our primary goals, and it mostly happens with just the bare minimum intervention or direction. These are friends they will have for a lifetime. Siblings fight – for that last piece of chocolate, for that toy that both need at the same time, for the alleged extra love the other gets! Actually, some of the best childhood memories are about the all-out fights you had with your sibling and how silly it seems now.  It also is a way we learn to navigate our way with friends, colleagues and more.
August 09, 2018 — Awant Bhagat
A family that plays together stays together! Nandan Bal speaks about sports and his two daughters

A family that plays together stays together! Nandan Bal speaks about sports and his two daughters

Being in sport and being fitness conscious will imbibe in you some incredible qualities which will never let you down in life. Sports teaches you to have a big heart, think big, and never fret about the small issues and niggles in one's life. You learn to dream big, and you also learn to develop the conviction to chase your dreams and achieve them. 
June 20, 2018 — Awant Bhagat
From a father's heart! A newly turned stay-at-home dad speaks...

From a father's heart! A newly turned stay-at-home dad speaks...

Stay-at-home parenting is a 24/7 job – what to offer for food, when to give a bath, when to change diapers, managing household help – being responsible for making these everyday decisions is overwhelming at times.

One of the benefits of being a stay at home dad has been that most of the neighbourhood kids know me, and we hang out with kids of all ages; they call me “Kabir uncle”! The other stay at home parents (all of whom are mommies in our neighbourhood), the grannies and the nannies have all been impressed with my parenting and what I'm doing, which encourage me to go on and has been a validation of my parenting. On the other hand, there is no dearth of people among my friends, family, neighbours and acquaintances who are puzzled by my decision to stay at home with my child.

June 13, 2018 — Awant Bhagat
A dad describes his adventures in fatherhood!

A dad describes his adventures in fatherhood!

Working from home has helped us more than ever after Ira was born and it turns out this was one of the best decisions we have made for ourselves. I’m not saying it has been an easy journey so far, but it was definitely a fulfilling adventure.
June 07, 2018 — Shumee Toys
Motherhood comes with challenges! Accept them and work through them. A mother speaks

Motherhood comes with challenges! Accept them and work through them. A mother speaks

You have to accept every child comes with their own strong personality and there are influences, like peers, who are going to be much stronger than you, as she grows up. You grow extremely anxious trying to get it all right. Because you are afraid for your child and are overprotective. You want the best for her and may tend to overdo it... You worry that you are either doing too much (and don't allow her to grow independent and make sensible choices) or do too little (after all with your extra experience and exposure, you could have guided better, could have done more hand-holding) etc etc etc... As with every generation, you worry whether you are doing all right by your child, after all, she is your most precious resource and investment... if you get this wrong, all else does not matter.
May 16, 2018 — Shumee Toys
A mother speaks! Prithi Ashwin on what motherhood means to her...

A mother speaks! Prithi Ashwin on what motherhood means to her...

What do you look for while selecting toys for your kids, especially as Ashwin is a world-class athlete?

First thing I look for is safety. Since both my girls are very close in age, they enjoy the same kind of toys. I want safe materials, well-finished edges so no cutting/poking issues there. I also find toys which make Akhira build stories in her head and get excited about it very appealing. Kids have a fantastic imagination, so a toy that leads them back into their world of exploration and curiosity is perfect.

May 13, 2018 — Shumee Toys
Careers and Motherhood; How can the twain meet?

Careers and Motherhood; How can the twain meet?

Trying to maintain harmony (or sanity...) between career and motherhood has forced me to be efficient. Plan, plan, and plan became my mantra. From ordering groceries on my phone to doing conference calls from the car (or the salon..shhh), from leaving home early in the morning to save 20 minutes of commute time to taking shorter lunch breaks to get work done in time.

I sometimes just take a break from it all, hand over my li’l girl to my husband, and dash off to do something I enjoy. Whether it is grabbing coffee with my girlfriends (to vent!), getting a relaxing massage or simply shutting the door and getting some sleep, it helps me rejuvenate and re-focus. 

May 10, 2018 — Shumee Toys