Step into the world of heartfelt moments and genuine, honest conversations as we post our first Matching Moments blog! In this special feature, we sat down with the beautiful Rania and Talia, capturing the essence of their unique mother-daughter bond through photography by Chelsea Lecia Dubai. Together, we explored and discussed the intricate balance of motherhood and career, navigating the daily juggle with as much grace and authenticity as possible...
So Rania, how many children do you have?
I have two little girls, three and a half and two and a half. They are 12 months and two weeks apart!
What was the toughest hurdle you had to overcome when you became a mother, especially with having your girls so close together?
One of the most significant challenges for me revolved around being a working mum. I've consistently worked, navigating the balance between both pregnancies, and the three-month maternity leaves I got with each. One of the most profound struggles I faced was with guilt – that intense feeling of not being there for them throughout the day, and wondering whether my absence was potentially impacting them in a negative way. Opting to return to work was my choice, driven by my passion for what I do and the desire for mental stimulation. Yet, this choice just amplified the guilt, as I consciously chose to be apart from my children and that was hard - I think all working mothers struggle with this.
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What did you learn from that experience of guilt in going back to work?
I learnt over time that it is not about the amount of time I spend with them, but rather the quality of that time. You could spend the entire day with your kids, and it might be bad quality time. One of the things I have been practicing is dedicating truly uninterrupted quality time with my girls when I am with them. When I leave the office, I put my phone away so that I am not thinking or being constantly reminded of what I was doing before. It's been a challenge to reach this point where I can fully engage and spend those hours when I am home fully connected with my girls, chatting about their day – it's such a beautiful time. So, don't feel guilty about it; it's okay to do what you need to do and focus on your career. Just try to switch of and put some quality time in place when you get home.
Do you have any advice for other moms looking to switch off from work and get that quality time, but are finding it impossible to switch off?
It's not something that comes naturally, and I have to really remind myself and be strict. For me, the long commute home, around 30 minutes, serves as a valuable time to transition into the process of switching off. I listen to a podcast or some relaxing music, aiming to immerse myself in that space so that when I get home, I'm already in a better mental state. It's not easy, and sometimes I find my mind wandering back to work or feeling stressed about something. In those moments, I consciously bring my mind back and remind myself that I have time to focus on work-related matters when the girls are in bed. I have a team, so there are sometimes things that I have to respond to late at night. However, I've established an agreement with my entire team that between certain hours, I am not available. I believe this is a really effective way to manage it, as they know I will reconnect when the girls are in bed.
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One other thing, it's all about routine. No matter what, I am always there for bedtime, and that is non-negotiable! We have bath and story-time together. I've recently introduced a gratitude moment where we talk about what we've been grateful for that day before they go to bed. Those 45 minutes are priceless for me – those moments before bed.
What are you reading for bedtime atm.
It changes and then it stays for a while - at the moment it's "Giraffe in the Bath" and a Potty book because we are working on that!
Photography, Chelsea Lecia Dubai
Rania & Talia wear our Francesca Dress set
If you would like to take part in our Matching Moments series, drop us an email contact@carobdubai.com