Real Mom – Zahra Jani On The Art Of Conscious Parenting

This week in our Real Moms Real Stories series, meet real mom – Zahra Jani aka Karishma Bhasin, born and raised in Mumbai, this Hindu-Punjabi girl fell head over heels in love with her now-husband who belongs to the Muslim community. And that was her journey from – Karishma to Zahra.

Real Mom - Zahra Jani with her daughter sitting on sofa

Tell us a bit about the real story behind this ‘real mom’?

To be honest, I was always skeptical. To be a mom means having to give up on a lot of things, “freedom,” being one of them. And then this little angel came into my life. Everything changed for the better. Of course, as a mother, there are tough days, having said which, I wouldn’t want to change anything anymore.

What it’s like to be you?

I am a perfectionist by nature. So that means a lot of time management, routine, and discipline circles around my life. But hey I have my share of fun too!

What’s that one classic saying /rule you swear by in this journey of motherhood?

Make your own rules! Mom rules. Do not follow set norms, because each mother has her very own and 100% unique journey. A happy mother means a happy child.

Real Mom - Zahra Jani - mother standing with daughter

Do we tend to glorify motherhood a lot and that tends to put additional pressure/ mental load of motherhood on a mum?

I feel like parenting has evolved. We have entered that phase where work-life balance and gender equality have literally evolved. Conscious parenting is being practiced. We are in an era of equal parenting. If it’s a decision of both the partners to have a child, therefore bringing up a child should also be the responsibility of a man and his woman. A mother of a father – can’t be in this all by themselves.

They say it takes a village to raise a child – tell us something about your village?

Well! I have mixed thoughts, really. It is great to have immense family support to raise a child, but be ready to deal with the repercussions.

Zahra Jani - mother and daughter

Was there something your parents did when you were a kid that you swore you’d never do yourself?

Well, their parenting style has been way different from the one I have adopted (or has come naturally to me). Ours is more millennial, and our parents was more of the 80s/90s style. I will leave it to this.

What is it like being a working mom? What would you change?

It is a lot of pressure to balance home, work, and motherhood. But I love the fast-paced life which comes with it. The thing I would like to change or rather overcome would-be (just as any mom) my own and 100% raw, upfront, and evidently annoying mother’s guilt. So, I used to be a stay-at-home mom, before having dived into the world of blogging. We all must have heard a million times that being a stay-at-home mom is a 24-hour job with the least amount of appreciation, and that’s what I would like to change.

Real Mom - Zahra

Have you ever done something really impulsive? How did it go?

Yes! I started my Instagram business account on impulse and I am glad that I did. It has given me my own identity and a career path.

What do you want or wish most for your children?

I would wish for Alizah to be a good human being- content and happy with her choices in life. Also, I would wish for her to be a tough girl who continues to dream big and stays close to her passion, will, and motivation to achieve her goals.

Zahra Jani's daughter playing

Do visit Zahra’s Instagram handle for mom-life and health/fitness updates. Also, watch this video to learn a few tips every mom should follow for her own sanity and happiness.

Author: Vaishali Sudan Sharma

Mom blogger, books lover, fan of new wave cinema, fond of jazz, lounge and classical music. Love to cook Indian & Italian cuisine.

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