Freelance writer - A wonderful solution for showcasing your knowledge and talents.

I love writing. Every personal article in this blog is about true experiences and real emotions. In a blog, I can write about anything my heart desires to express or share. When I started writing freelance articles professionally, it wasn't something very clear cut; I just wanted to do something more! Something that was about me, rediscovering myself as an individual. I love being a homemaker, but there is a lot more that I can do; I can be! The family is my first priority and being a homemaker is quite fulfilling, but as an individual, I yearned for more personal accomplishments of my knowledge and talents.

Today, I was writing an explanation in an email concerning a job query, about why I do freelance writing. I never gave it so much thought before. In personal emails, though to an employer, I am always candid about what I think and feel. That's probably unprofessional, but to me, it's not just electronic communication, but a real person on the other side with whom I am communicating from the heart, instead of being all correct, cold and acting professionally. I usually make it clear to my prospective employer about what I really am. I don't underrate myself nor do I pretend to be something I am not. I am aware of my calibre and quality of output. I make my limitations also clear.

Who we are and what we value, have a lot to do with our childhood influences and upbringing. Our family had a Home Science Academy with two branches in Kerala where my mother, a postgraduate in Home Science, took classes in cooking, arts and various crafts. I started assisting her in classes from the age of fifteen. I conducted classes on my own from the time I turned eighteen. My mother always gave importance to quality over quantity. Despite overwhelming admission requests, she limited seats in her 3-month cooking courses to 15 students a batch so that she could pay attention to each student. I have learned to follow the same policy of quality over quantity. I may not accomplish a lot, but whatever I do, it will be of top quality. 

With the intention of being an all-rounder in taking over the family business, I trained in a carefully chosen combination of courses. I graduated in B.Sc. Home Science ranking second in the state. I worked part-time as a nutritionist in a diet clinic while doing a course in interior designing. But, it was during the four-year professional degree of BFA. Applied Arts that I realized, the academy was not really my dream; it was just something I had grown up with. I am professionally trained as a visualizer from one of the best Fine Art colleges in Asia. As my first job, I worked as a visualizer for Mudra, one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. I love writing and I soon realized that a visualizer with copywriting skills was a lethal combination that would put my career on the fast track. 

I am married to a Naval officer; a helicopter pilot. Before long, we were posted to remote areas where I wasn't able to find work or pay of my level. I love my field of Home Science and Art; I am at heart 'a homemaker' and nothing gets more priority than my family, which has fast expanded to include my two lovely children and a third one on the way. These last four years, I have totally dedicated my time to my family. But, as an individual, I feel I am wasting my talent and creativity. I thirst for productivity and to use the knowledge I have gained through all these years. 

Freelance writing, while working from home has been the best solution I have come up with, to showcase my combination of knowledge and talents. I work only for those clients who value quality work and is willing to offer compensation accordingly. After a back breaking day with two toddlers, you definitely need solid inspiration to sit down and continue working. Thankfully, all my writing assignments until now have been really satisfying - personally and financially.

Mummy has a baby in the Tummy!

Explaining pregnancy to kids or getting your children ready for the new baby depends a lot on the age and maturity of the children.

I don't particularly remember telling my tenth month old son that I'm carrying a baby. His little sister Tania was born when he turned one and half years old. I remember that while I was carrying, he used to kiss my tummy when I would tell him to give the baby a kiss. He was very excited with the new born baby and would want us to put her in his lap.

Now Rohaan is three and half, while Tania is two. I have told them that there is a baby in mummy's tummy and that it was still tiny and it would come out when it was 'this' big. They seemed to consider it nonsense and didn't pay much attention. Rohaan would say "Tania is a baby."

Recently, I showed Rohaan some simple pictures of pregnant women and growing fetuses and he seemed to get some idea. But now, though he kisses the tummy believing there is a baby inside, he tries to open my dress or lift it up, saying he wants to see the baby. It's actually quite an adorable scene. Tania willingly imitates whatever her brother does, she also gives kisses to the baby.

7th month update: Rohaan really seems to understand. He tells everyone about the Baby inside Mummy and makes plans how he will play with the new baby. Recently, at the hospital, he found a brochure with a picture of a matured fetus in the uterus. He was excitedly showing it to everyone saying 'this is how baby sleeps inside mummy.' Every time he places his hand on my tummy and feels the baby move, he gets really exited and says 'the baby is ready, its big now, lets go to hospital and take it out!' I really enjoy his excitement.

This is a good site with some facts about pregnancy.