“I didn’t give motherhood a thought before I stumbled into it two years ago. I didn’t really know how much of a toll having a child would take on my life.

I still remember the day when my daughter was born. Family and friends basked in the glory of having a new member around. Thirty days after my delivery, I came back home. That’s when I received an email from my employer. The subject of the email was ‘Message from the Management’. I opened the email in excitement, thinking that I would read best wishes post delivery. To my utter amazement, I was, ‘politely, asked to leave the office because I was a mother now. The management didn’t question my contribution over the years but my commitment to work now that I was a mother. Within seconds of reading that email, I realized that my journalism career was over. It was almost as though I was worthless because I wouldn’t be able to sit in office for 12 hours or go for drinks post work!

After brooding for days together, I got a call. The news of my termination due to postpartum responsibilities had spread in journalism circles. The organisation was calling me back to save its reputation. I had two choices – go back to a place without a pro-motherhood policy or give up the career I’d built for years. Unfortunately, I chose the former! I went back. My decision had unpleasant repercussions. regrets

I am embarrassed and despise myself for putting myself in such a spot. I should have chosen sensitivity over thoughtless ambition. I am glad that today I can face the truth and admit to the world that I made a mistake. I should have followed my heart and not given into the fear of losing a job, something that can be re-created. ”