Eight years ago, I stumbled into the world of blogging with Growing with Nemit.

I had no idea what I was getting into. Even months into it, I was still figuring things out and constantly asking myself, “Why do people even do this? But honestly, it became addictive after a point. I loved writing, even though I wasn’t great at it.

Back then, I was going through an identity crisis. What started as an emotional outlet during my early motherhood days became a full-blown creative blogging journey for Growing with Nemit.

I still remember sitting at my desk at 2 a.m., typing out my experiences I wasn’t sure anyone would read. But here we are – 8 years, 100s of posts, videos, reels, detours, pauses, and comebacks later.

This isn’t your typical anniversary post with tips or lessons. It’s a conversation… a little messy, mostly heartfelt, honest and raw, between me and my blog, as we look back at how far we’ve come.

A Conversation with my Blog – Growing with Nemit

Me: Hey… happy 8th birthday! 
Blog: Hey, you came? I thought maybe this year too you’d skip the anniversary post like always.

Me: Oh come on, I’ve been thinking about you. Life’s just been… a lot.
Blog: You always say that. Yet somehow, you had time for all your travels, reels, and YouTube vlogs. And totally forgot about me?

Me: Okay, ouch. That’s fair. But I didn’t forget. Just… paused. I thought about you a lot, I swear.
Blog: Oh really? So that dusty “drafts” folder was your love language? I’m just saying, we’ve been through a lot together. I kind of miss being your favourite.

Me: You are still my favourite. Don’t tell the YouTube channel, but you’re the one that gave me purpose when I was feeling lost. In July 2017, when I felt invisible in the whirlwind of new motherhood, you gave me a voice. You helped me rediscover myself when I didn’t know who I was outside being a mom.
Blog: Yeah, I remember. You’d pour your heart into midnight posts while Nemit slept. That “growth spurt” post? Classic. I miss those days!

Me: Me too! You were my secret outlet. I still remember how we jumped and danced when we got monetized in 5 months, and landed our first big collab in 7. We were on a roll!
Blog: Ah, the golden years! When your fingers typed faster than your brain, and we hit ‘publish’ without overthinking.

Me: Haha, yeah! Do you remember our first blogging challenge in Sep 2017 – ‘9 days of womanhood‘ that we actually won? And our favourite, My Friend Alexa with Blogchatter in 2018?
Blog: How could I forget? Those were the glory days! And then in 2019, the A2Z Challenge and your first eBook – ‘Travel India With A Toddler’. You basically squeezed the soul out of both of us that month.

Me: Hehe, I know. Guilty as charged! That writing challenge and eBook drained me. But it showed me my strength and also taught me that I’m not meant to write books, at least not yet. But we grew, didn’t we?
Blog: We did. I loved that you didn’t ghost me during Covid. You kept writing, and you also picked up the camera!

Me: Oh yes! That’s when I started making YouTube videos. I just wanted to document Nemit’s first schooling experience, I mean, online school.
Blog: And turns out, it worked. Your channel grew. Now, you’ve found a new way to tell your stories through your travels. I even clapped when you got monetized last year.

Me: Wait, you know that? Do you watch my vlogs?
Blog: I may be neglected, but I’m still loyal. I watch all your vlogs, the ones that you embed in blogposts and even those that you sneak into the footer.

Me: Aww, thank you. But I miss writing. I miss you.
Blog: I know. I see your drafts open and close like elevator doors. But through it all, you kept growing with Nemit. That’s the real story, isn’t it?

Me: Exactly. He was the reason I started writing, and now he’s the reason I pause. His growth, his changing needs… they shape my content and my choices. That’s why I’m slowly shifting from core parenting to family travel. It just feels right.

Blog: And I’m evolving with you. Quietly. No tantrums. Just waiting for your return.
Me: Thank you… for being that space I can always come back to.

Blog: So… now what? Big relaunch? Content calendar?
Me: Haha, no grand plans. But yes, I do want to revamp a few things. Also, did you see? We made it to Feedspot’s Top 100 Indian Mom Influencers in Jan this year! Then came the Top 100 Mom Blogs in Feb, and in May, we landed a spot in the Top 30 Indian Mom Blogs.

Blog: Wait, we did that? Even with all your “I’ll post tomorrow” drafts and abandoned calendars? Well, I always knew you had it in you. You never stopped growing. And honestly, I’ve grown with you.
Me: Haha, guilty. But I guess something’s still working… even in the chaos. And, thank you!

Blog: You mean… we’re still relevant? So… not quitting on me yet?
Me: Never. I might pause. I might wander. But I’ll always come back. Because this space – you – is home.

Blog: Wow, that’s deep.
Me: Haha, I’ve had practice. But yes, I just wish we get recognized in the travel genre now. That’s where I find myself these days… on the road, with my camera, telling stories.

Blog: One step at a time. You’ve always done it your way and look how far we’ve come.
Me: Yeah. As long as we’re growing (with Nemit), with stories, and with purpose… I’m happy.

Blog: Then go on. Hit publish. And maybe update my theme sometime before 2030?
Me: Haha, okay okay! Like you said… one step at a time. For now, let’s just celebrate us. Happy 8th Anniversary, my Blog!

Still Growing With Nemit and Myself

I used to call this blog my baby. But now, it feels more like a friend I can laugh with, cry with, and be honest with, no matter how long we’ve been apart.

This space has seen every version of me… overwhelmed mom, excited blogger, exhausted creator, backlog vlogger, full-time dreamer. And through it all, it’s been a quiet witness to growing with Nemit, and growing into myself.

No, I’m not consistent.
No, I haven’t figured it all out.
But I’m still here.
And maybe… that’s enough.

That’s it for this post. If you’re a blogger or creator too then tell me, when did you start your creative journey?

And as always, thank you for being here! It means more than you know.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla

The post 8 Years of Growing with Nemit: A Conversation with my Blog! appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

When we decided to do a road trip from Bangalore to Northeast India, I knew Arunachal Pradesh would surprise us in many ways. But there was one place we hadn’t really planned for, one that felt more like a blessing than a destination — Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

I wasn’t expecting to feel what I felt there. It wasn’t on any must-see list I came across, and yet it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and soulful places we visited on our entire journey.

When we reached, there was no one else there, except the army personnel who maintain the place. And honestly, that made the experience even more special. Maybe not many people know about this Gurudwara, like we didn’t until just a day before (while visiting Sungester lake). Or maybe it’s because getting there involves a short uphill walk, and not everyone is up for that, especially when the weather is not that great.

It had also been raining since morning, so that could be another reason people chose not to visit it. But I’m so glad we didn’t skip it. Some places just find you when you’re meant to experience them and this was definitely one of those.

Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang is also known as Tiger Hill Gurudwara, as it is located on Tiger Hill, the name of the mountain. But why is it called Teesri Udasi?

Teesri Udasi Gurudwara Sahib, Tawang

You may check our Arunachal Trip Playlist on YouTube!

What is “Teesri Udasi”?

Before I talk about the Gurudwara itself, let me give you a quick background. The word “Udasi” means journey. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus, undertook five major spiritual journeys during his lifetime. These journeys are known as Udasis.

These weren’t simple travels, they were deep spiritual pilgrimages covering vast parts of India and beyond. He covered a distance of around 28,000 km on foot, over a period of 24 years. He travelled across India, South Asia, and even reached parts of the Middle East and Tibet, sharing his message of love, peace, equality, and the oneness of God (Ek Onkar).

During his third Udasi, believed to have taken place between 1514 and 1518, Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Tibet twice. The first time, in 1514, he travelled to Mansarovar and Mount Kailash, and came back to India through the same route.

Way to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

But the second time, his path was different. He travelled through Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and from there, continued towards Lhasa in Tibet.

And it is believed that during this journey, Guru Nanak Dev Ji meditated in a cave right here in Tawang. That very cave has now been turned into a Gurudwara and because it’s associated with his Teesri Udasi, the name stuck.

That’s how this peaceful little place on a hill came to be known as Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

Our Journey to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

We were staying in Tawang and had just started exploring the region. On our very first day of sightseeing, we planned to visit Bumla Pass, PTSO Lake, and Sungester Lake (also known as Madhuri Lake). But since our Bumla permit was scheduled for the next day, we decided to just do the lakes for now.

Here’s a video of how to get the permit for Bumla Pass on YouTube-

After soaking in the views at PTSO Lake, we moved ahead towards Sungester, taking the left turn at the Y-junction. Just about 2.6 km from there, something caught our eye, a small Gurudwara tucked at the base of a hill.

Curious, we stopped to check it out. There was something instantly peaceful about it. But since we were on a tight schedule and had planned the day around the lakes, we skipped the trek up to the main Gurudwara on the hill and continued on to Sungester Lake.

But the story didn’t end there.

While returning from the lake, we passed the same spot again. And this time, something tugged at our hearts. There was this unexplainable pull, like the place was quietly calling us back. We paused. Talked about it. We had just one more day in Tawang, and the next day was fully packed. We were finally visiting Bumla Pass, and from there heading straight to Zemithang.

Still, something inside us knew we had to return.

And so we did.

Here’s a glimpse of our visit to Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang-

The next day, after visiting Bumla, we were driving back on the same route. We took that turn again. This time, we parked the car and walked up the hill to the Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang.

And I can’t explain it in words, the experience was so peaceful, so soulful, it felt like the place had been waiting for us all along.

Sometimes, it’s the unplanned detours that stay with you the longest. For us, visiting Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang became one of the most heart-touching moments of our entire journey in Arunachal Pradesh.

A Simple Structure, A Strong Presence

The Gurudwara is tucked into the rugged cliffs of the mountain, quite literally built into the rock face. From a distance, it almost looks like it’s growing out of the hill itself, camouflaged by nature. But as you get closer, you begin to notice the bright prayer flags, the modest building, and the narrow path leading up to it.

It’s not a grand or elaborate structure. There are no huge golden domes. Yet, it commands your attention. Maybe it’s the setting, surrounded by towering cliffs and silence or maybe it’s the story behind it. Either way, the moment you see it, you feel a sense of awe and reverence.

The stairs to the Gurudwara are narrow and steep but well-built. And as you climb, the world around you starts to fade, it’s just you, the mountain, and a sacred stillness.

A Place Respected Across Faiths

You may already know that Arunachal Pradesh is known for its monasteries, especially the iconic Tawang Monastery, which is the largest in India and the second-largest in the world. But did you know that Guru Nanak Dev Ji is also deeply respected here?

Locals lovingly refer to him as Nanak Lama. In fact, in some traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, Guru Nanak is seen as an incarnation of Guru Rinpoche. He is also known as Guru Padmasambhava, the saint who brought Buddhism to Tibet. It’s rare and beautiful to see a spiritual figure being embraced across different faiths like this.

Inside Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

This deep sense of mutual respect and shared reverence is what makes this Gurudwara even more special. It stands quietly, high up in the mountains, but holds a powerful space in the hearts of the people from this region, regardless of religion.

The Role of the Indian Army

Since this area is very close to the Indo-China border, the presence of the Indian Army is strong throughout this region. In fact, the Gurudwara itself is maintained by the Army personnel stationed here.

They also serve a simple langar (community meal), and even if you’re not there during langar hours, they’ll always offer you tea or prasad with warmth and humility.

Teesri Udasi Gurudwara

We couldn’t help but feel grateful. Not just for the physical upkeep of the Gurudwara, but for their quiet, constant presence in such a remote and extreme terrain. It’s because of their dedication that this piece of history and faith continues to thrive, high up in the mountains.

Things to Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a trip to Tawang, do make time for this place. Here are a few tips:

• Start early in the day
  The Gurudwara is 25 km from Tawang and 2.6 Km from Y-junction. The weather in high-altitude areas can change quickly. It’s best to start your day early and keep extra time in hand, both in case the weather turns or if you’re planning to visit other places on the same route, like Sungester Lake or Bumla Pass.
• No permit needed
  You don’t need a special permit to visit this Gurudwara, unlike Bumla Pass. But since it’s on the way to Bumla, plan your stop accordingly.
• Located at a High Altitude
  The Gurudwara is situated at around 13,000 feet, so take your time while climbing. The air is thinner, and it’s normal to feel a little breathless. Keep yourself hydrated to prevent AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
• Carry warm clothes
  Even if the sun is out, it can get windy, cloudy and cold, especially at higher altitudes. Layer up and keep a windcheater or warm jacket handy.

• 

  View from Gurudwara Teesri Udasi

• It’s a short uphill walk
  The Gurudwara on the hill is about a 20-30 minute walk from the road. The steps are steep but well-maintained. There are also resting sheds along the route and even a toilet, which makes the climb more manageable, especially for families and older visitors.
• Respect the space
  Though it’s maintained by the Indian Army, this is a sacred place. Cover your head, speak softly, and follow any instructions given on-site.
• Photography is allowed
  You can take photos inside and outside the Gurudwara, but always be mindful if Army personnel are around. Ask if you’re unsure.

There’s a Footwear protocol before entering. Just before reaching the Gurudwara at the top, you’ll find a Joda Ghar (footwear room). Visitors are expected to remove their shoes here and wear the slippers provided. These slippers must be taken off again at the Gurudwara entrance, as a sign of respect.

Most importantly, go with a quiet mind. You don’t have to be religious to feel the peace here.

Final Thoughts

Out of all the places we visited in Arunachal Pradesh, majestic monasteries, misty mountain passes, beautiful valleys — Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang offered something entirely different.

It gave us stillness.

It reminded me of the strength of simplicity. Of how one man’s journey, centuries ago, still touches lives in the most unexpected corners of the world.

And for that, I’ll always carry this visit close to my heart.

Have you ever visited a place that surprised you with its peace? Tell us in the comments below.

Planning a trip to Tawang? Here’s our detailed Tawang Itinerary, including how to get permits, places to stay, and hidden gems you shouldn’t miss.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Mister Tikku.

The post Gurudwara Teesri Udasi in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | Must Visit appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

I had a 2 cm gallstone stuck in the neck of my gallbladder which had been causing acute pain in my upper abdomen & back for the last few months, leading me to visit the ER three times in the last month alone, hence the need for emergency gallbladder surgery. Over the past few months, I experienced gallbladder attacks about 7-8 times. Unfortunately, I had no idea that the pain was related to gallbladder stones. Initially, we kept relating it to gastritis & treated it accordingly, but to no avail.

Before I share my story, let’s understand what is a gallbladder and how are gallstones formed. By sharing my experience, I hope to provide valuable information and support to those who may be going through similar experiences.

Understanding the Gallbladder and Gallstones

What is the Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small (approx. 7-10 cm long and 4 cm wide), pear-shaped organ, located in the upper right abdomen just below the liver. Its main function is to store bile which is a digestive fluid produced by the liver. When we eat a meal high in fats, the gallbladder releases this concentrated bile into the small intestine to help in the digestion of fats.

Source- radiopaedia.org

What are Gallstones?

Sometimes, due to some imbalance in the substances that form bile, the bile gets hardened and turns into pebble like deposits in the gallbladder. These gallstones can vary in size, ranging from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball. They may not cause any problems or symptoms and can go unnoticed for years but they can cause significant issues if they block the bile ducts.

Types of Gallstones:

• Cholesterol Stones: These are the most common types of gallstones usually yellow-green in colour. Cholesterol stones form when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile acids to dissolve it, often due to liver dysfunction, bile stasis or dietary factors.
• Pigment Stones: These are smaller and are made up of bilirubin usually dark brown or black in colour. Pigment stones form from excess bilirubin , often due to conditions like hemolytic anemia, liver dysfunction or biliary tract infections, which increase bilirubin levels in bile.

Source – mayoclinic.org

Symptoms and Complications of Gallstones

When a gallstone obstructs the flow of bile from the gallbladder or bile ducts, it can cause:

• Severe pain in the upper right abdomen
• Pain that radiates to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion and bloating
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• Fever and chills (in case of infection)

In case of complications, there can be inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), or infection of the bile ducts (cholangitis).

My Personal Experience with Gallbladder Pain

Now that we have an idea of what are gallstones and how they may lead to various symptoms; let me share my story, my battle with gallbladder pain which eventually lead me to get gallbladder surgery. Hopefully, this will help you in understanding gallbladder attack and what you can do in such cases.

Initial Symptoms and Misdiagnosis

I would get this sudden excruciating pain in my upper abdomen which radiated to my middle back. The strange thing about this pain was it felt similar to severe gas pain. My upper abdomen would get extremely bloated, it felt like a hard balloon being inflated in my abdomen. I could feel the pressure from the inside in my upper abdomen and at the back. While I was in pain, I couldn’t sit or lie down for more than a few minutes. I would also get continuous burps which would bring down the discomfort a bit but within minutes my abdomen would bloat again. Each gallbladder attack typically started at night around 10-11 pm and the pain lasted for 5-6 hours.

First major gallbladder attack

The first major incident occurred while I was on vacation in Sakleshpur (town in Karnataka), just a month after my hysterectomy surgery. Despite being in good health, the intense pain out of nowhere, came as a shock. That night, I endured 5 hours of agony before eventually ending up in the ER, where they treated me for gastritis pain before I passed out on the hospital bed.

It’s perplexing that the doctor didn’t suggest an ultrasound to check for gallstones that time. Thus, we also ignored it thinking it to be gastritis pain.

For the next 8-9 months, I experienced only minor discomfort & occasional indigestion. Then suddenly, in March this year, the severe pain returned. Again, I assumed it was gastritis and self medicated, but the pain persisted for 4-5 hours.

Repeated ER Visits and Correct Diagnosis

When the pain recurred later that month and did not subside with medication, I visited the ER again. This time, a doctor suggested that the pain might be related to gallstones and recommended an ultrasound.

 

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That was the first time I heard about gallbladder pain.

We got the ultrasound done asap and that revealed a 2 cm gallstone stuck in the neck of my gallbladder. We then spent the next week undergoing further tests and consulting with doctors to understand my condition better. The gallstone was causing significant pain and blocking the flow of bile, which led to the recommendation for surgery. However, I couldn’t come to terms with that revelation, considering the plans we had made for the coming months. Hence, we decided to explore other options first.

The Path to Gallbladder Surgery

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

After the diagnosis, I learned about the different treatment options. Surgery was recommended as the best course of action but I wanted to try non-surgical methods first. In an attempt to avoid surgery, I made significant changes in my diet, eliminating fats, oils, caffeine, sweets and anything else that seemed bad for my health. Surprisingly, this new diet seemed to relieve my pain for over two weeks. I took it as a good sign and went on with our plan to drive to Delhi from Bangalore.

Now just to check if the gallbladder pain was still there, I resumed my normal diet after reaching Delhi.

A week later, the pain returned, lasting for 6 hours. This experiment made me conclude that the pain was indeed related to my diet. I switched back to the restrictive diet that had previously brought relief.

But then, what went wrong, leading me to undergo gallbladder surgery?

If you or someone you know is experiencing similar symptoms or has been diagnosed with gallstones, I encourage you to seek medical advice promptly. Understanding the condition and exploring treatment options early can make a significant difference in your health and quality of life.

Please share your thoughts, questions or experiences in the comments below. Your input can help others who are going through similar struggles. Stay tuned for Part 2, where I will share what happened that led me to undergo surgery and my experience with the surgery itself, the recovery process and life after gallbladder removal.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla

in collaboration with Growing with Nemit.

The post Why Gallbladder Surgery? My Battle with Gallbladder Pain | Part 1 appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello lovely people, hope you’re all doing well. I’m so excited today as the exam season is finally ending and tomorrow is Nemit’s last day of Formative Cycle (exams). We are now looking forward to two months of freedom as the summer holidays are just around the corner. We’ve already started planning how to spend them. Nemit wants to visit his grandmother in Delhi for a month. I’m telling him Delhi will be too hot in the summers but he doesn’t care. My husband and I want to explore a new destination. But I also want to add some adventure to it like the road trip we did a few months back. We travelled from Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch car, crossing 7 states and covering 2100 Kms in just 3 days. That was epic!

This was the longest I’ve driven in quite some time, breaking our last record of driving for 2000 Kms over 9 days during our trip across Rajasthan, where we explored 5 major cities. We did that trip back in 2020, just before the pandemic struck. However, if I talk about my favourite, most adventurous & also scariest drive to date, it would be our road trip, Delhi – Koti Village – Delhi, through the snow.

So many times, I’m asked why my husband doesn’t drive the car. Some even make jokes about how he lets me drive while he sits in the passenger seat. But they fail to see that the joke’s on them. Driving isn’t gender-specific and anyone can be a good driver regardless of gender or age.

When the husband drives, nobody asks him why his wife doesn’t drive. Then why is this question directed at the wife?

Why is it so hard for people to accept that a woman can be just as passionate about driving, adventure, off-roading, extreme sports and offbeat travel as she could be about child rearing, cooking, makeup, or fashion?

You may also check: 7-Day South Goa Itinerary with Videos!

On the other hand, a man may not feel as comfortable with these activities. They can be gentle and nurturing too. While my husband enjoys adventure like me, he’s not as passionate about driving as I am. Therefore, we’ve our own pact; I handle the driving and he helps with navigation because that’s what he’s good at.

For so long, I’ve avoided voicing my thoughts on this topic and because of that I haven’t written much about our road trips. But not anymore!

So, today I’m going to share about our Bangalore to Delhi road trip experience in our TATA Punch car as a couple. Unfortunately, Nemit didn’t come with us on this journey because his grandmother thought it wouldn’t be safe to travel such long distances with a small child. I tried to persuade her but couldn’t convince her, especially when she offered to take him back to Delhi with her by flight. Yep, I know that’s extreme – we’re a bit of a crazy family here.

Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch

Two days before our travel date, Nemit’s grandmother came from Delhi and the next day, she took him back with her. However, a day before our trip, Sumit came down with a high fever in the afternoon and we had to put all our plans on hold. We thought of postponing the trip but we had promised Nemit that we would meet him in 3 days. We started medication for Sumit and waited anxiously. Both of us couldn’t sleep the whole night, I kept checking his temperature, which didn’t seem to come down at all.

You may also check: Lakshadweep Travel Guide for Families!

Our original plan was to start our journey very early in the morning, around 2 am, but that plan was scrapped. So, we waited for Sumit’s temperature to come down before setting off. Luckily, his fever broke in the morning and we decided to leave at 6.30 am from Bengaluru.

Day 1 of Bengaluru to Delhi Road Trip: Bangalore to Hyderabad

Sumit’s fever kept coming back all day which meant it was something serious. Our Plan A was to cover around 750 Kms and stop for the night in Nizamabad, about 177 Kms from Hyderabad. But that plan didn’t work. So, we came up with Plan B.

Plan B was to drive 720 Kms and stay overnight in Kamareddy, just 117 Kms away from Hyderabad. But, unfortunately, this plan also didn’t pan out. We found an hour long traffic jam just before entering Hyderabad so we made a Plan C.

Under Plan C, we made the decision to stop in Hyderabad for the night and start fresh the next day. Finding a decent budget hotel in the outskirts of Hyderabad was a challenge in itself especially on a Friday. We ended up staying in a business hotel and paid a hefty amount just for the night. But I loved the food there. Can you guess the name of the hotel?

You may watch Day 1 Vlog on our YouTube: Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch

Now, let’s move on to second day of our journey.

Day 2 of Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch: Hyderabad to Narsinghpur

We started our journey around 6.30 am with the plan to drive to Nagpur, approx. 500 Kms from Hyderabad. Luckily, the roads were in good condition, allowing us to cover that distance in about 7-8 hours. However, Sumit’s fever was not coming down, so we started him on antibiotics, which proved effective.

You may also check: Resorts with Water Park in Hyderabad!

We decided to cover some more distance and found a hotel on the way to Sagar (Madhya Pradesh). Here, we did a huge mistake. We took a diversion from NH 44 onto another route, which turned our entire journey into a nightmare. The roads were under construction and there were no traffic police to manage the chaos. The situation worsened during the night drive as there were no street lights on that highway. For about 2 hours, we drove in pitch darkness on a single road with two-way traffic, making it an extremely challenging experience.

That drive broke my spirits as I was in so much pain in my right knee and the stitches area in my lower abdomen. Those who don’t know, I underwent uterus removal surgery (Hysterectomy) in April 2023 due to fibroids.

 

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That pain made me doubt my decision to undertake such a long drive within such a short timeframe. But thanks to my husband, who reminded me of all the wonderful road trips we had done and the lessons learned from each. He also reminded me of my dream to do more adventurous trips in future. That was enough to motivate me.

Fortunately, after taking antibiotics, Sumit began to feel better and his temperature didn’t spike again. Despite our poor health and pain, we came back stronger the next day.

So, on the second day, we covered a distance of 764 Kms from Hyderabad in 15 hours and stopped for an overnight halt in Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Here’s the Day 2 Vlog of our Road Trip: Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch

Let’s continue the journey.

Day 3 of Bengaluru to Delhi: Narsinghpur to Delhi

On the third day of our journey, we started 15 mins earlier than usual, around 5:45 am, which made a huge difference. When we started we were worried that we might find bad roads again. However, after driving a few kilometers, we joined back on NH 44 and the roads from there were much better.

The only problem was the stray cattle roaming freely on the highway in Madhya Pradesh. We had read about it before starting our journey and thought how bad it could be. It’s India and we have cattle on our roads, that’s not a big deal!

You may also read: An Ultimate Kashmir Travel Guide!

But it’s a big deal when these animals roam freely on a national highway. They suddenly jump in front of your vehicle out of nowhere. Some just sit and relax in the middle of the road without a care. One has to drive extremely carefully on this particular stretch from Nagpur (MP) to Lalitpur (UP).

But you know what the worst part is? Accidents! We witnessed the distressing sight of dead calves lying on the road, apparently hit by some passing vehicles. To minimize such risks, people should drive carefully at speeds below 40-50 km/hour.

You may also read: Riverside Camping with Kids at Dawki, Meghalaya!

After crossing Sagar, we stopped at a small hotel for breakfast. Surprisingly, the food they served was very good and tasty. After a filling breakfast, we continued our onward journey at around 9 am and drove for 5 hours without taking any breaks, covering approx. 390 Kms.

We skipped lunch that day because we were so excited to reach home. Finally, around 7:45 pm, we reached Delhi. I can’t explain how happy, relieved and satisfied I felt as we entered the city.

You may watch Day 3 Vlog here:

I must admit, this road trip was incredibly fulfilling for me as a content creator. Without the usual responsibilities of parenting, I had the freedom to focus entirely on capturing content. With all the extra time on my hands, I could shoot exactly as I wanted to, taking retakes and capturing shots from various angles, even while driving, without any distractions from the backseat. It was fun but I definitely missed having my son with me. That’s why we decided to bring him along for the return journey.

Despite the challenges, we made countless memories during this trip and learned valuable lessons. This experience has given us the confidence to embark on more such long road trips. Now, we are excited and eagerly looking forward to our next adventure.

That’s it for this post! Now it’s your turn to tell us, what type of travel do you like? And maybe share a bit about your most favourite trip?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

The post Bangalore to Delhi by TATA Punch | 2100 Kms in 3 Days appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello parents! How’s the exam season treating you? I know you are already taking good care of your children but don’t forget to take care of yourselves too. Don’t get too stressed, okay? Many of you must have heard about CBSE’s pilot program; Open Book Exams for classes 9 to 12. When I first read about it in a news article, I was so confused. Open book exams were a new concept to me, they still are to an extent! So, I did some research and learned more about it. Today, I want to share my learnings with you.

What are Open Book Exams?

Open book exams are assessments where students can bring in their books and notes to refer to during the test. Sounds crazy, right? They are saying it’s an innovative approach to testing but all I could think of was, “Now kids can freely and openly use their ‘chits’!” Haha, IYKYK! I’m not sure if those things are still in trend.

Jokes apart, these exams are not going to be that simple. I’ll explain that later. But first, let’s address the question: Why?

Why Open Book Exams?

Well, it turns out there are a few reasons behind the shift to open book examinations (OBEs). For starters, it’s about moving away from rote memorization and towards a deeper understanding of subjects. By allowing students to bring in their study materials, CBSE wants to encourage them to focus on comprehension, critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than just regurgitating facts.

When I first heard about the OBEs, I was a little skeptical. I mean, isn’t the whole point of exams to test how much the child has memorized learned? But the more I read about it, the more it started to make sense.

The purpose of open book exams is to assess students’ understanding of concepts, their ability to analyze information and their problem-solving skills. In simple words, these exams are going to challenge the Indian education system.

You may also read: Why We Chose Montessori Over Traditional Schools?

How are these Exams Different?

In open book exams, questions are often designed to be more complex, more realistic and based on real-world situations, requiring students to apply their knowledge to solve problems. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to locate relevant information, interpret it effectively and apply it to answer the questions.

So, if the student is not aware of the concept to be applied to solve a particular problem, even the books won’t help them out. Sounds scary?

Now let’s see how these exams can benefit students.

Benefits of Open Book Exams

We often complain that schools make our children learn things that are of no use in real life. Now with OBEs, our kids can learn how to apply their knowledge in the real world. These tests will check their understanding of concepts. And, that’s what we want, right?

Not just that, these assessments will take some pressure off our kids. When they know they don’t have to depend on rote learning for exams, they will be less stressed. Instead of cramming facts and figures into their brain, they can focus on understanding the lessons.

What if open book assessments cause more harm than benefits?

Drawbacks of OBEs

I still remember how our exams used to be so tough. We wouldn’t even get a second to look around; we just had to fill sheet after sheet without thinking. Now, with Open Book Exams, students may find it difficult to manage their time. What if the child spends too long searching for answers and runs out of time to complete the exam?

Also, what if students become overly reliant on resources? Some might struggle to think for themselves if they’re constantly looking up answers.

You may also read: Debunking Montessori Myths for Elementary Education!

Additionally, how are schools going to prepare their students to take up OBEs in such a short time? Are our teachers ready to take up this challenge? Or, do we have to wait for long just like we are waiting for full implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in schools? Let’s see how CBSE is going to move forward with this new technique and how schools take up the challenge.

Main points of CBSE’s Pilot Program

• As of now, OBEs are under trial.
• The trial testing has been planned for November and December 2024.
• Initially, OBEs will be conducted only for Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in selected schools.
• Students in classes 9 and 10 will take OBEs in Science, Math and English.
• While students in classes 11 and 12 will take OBEs in Biology, Math and English.
• For now, OBEs are not planned for board exams.

Looks like, CBSE still has a long way to go. But, if you ask me, I really appreciate all the new changes being introduced to transform our education system and make it better for our children. Implementing such policies is not easy, considering how huge and complicated our education system is. But the good thing is we are making progress. It may take many years to see the changes but at least we know it’s moving in the right direction.

This post is a Top Blog at Blogchatter

What are your thoughts on Open Book Exams in India? Let’s have a discussion in comments below.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

The post CBSE Open Book Exams in India: What? Why? How? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hi everyone, does it feel like time is racing by this year? Just a few days ago, it was the first day of 2024 and today we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day. And tomorrow, I’ll be celebrating my 9th marriage anniversary. Almost a decade! Today, I am excited to share my journey of finding my soulmate, my forever.

It still feels like a dream; I can’t believe it’s been 9 long years. Each anniversary, I find myself telling my husband that it’s unbelievable our marriage has lasted this long. I never imagined that an arranged marriage could endure in today’s world, where even love struggles to stand the test of time. Nowadays, we have the option to voice our concerns and walk out of a marriage if things feel off. It’s easier to break than to mend, and we often lack the mental capacity to deal with complicated situations. But ours has stood strong and I give the credit to my husband for that.

Many of my friends used to say I was lucky to find such an amazing partner like Sumit (my husband). But I always told them it wasn’t just luck; I fought a long battle to find the right person for me.

In our society, young girls are often made to believe that they don’t have a choice and should settle for whatever comes their way. This mindset is flawed!

I challenged that notion and fought for what I truly deserved!

In the first part of this series, “Finding Love in Arranged Marriage”, I shared my ordeal of meeting with families to find a perfect partner for marriage.

In the second part, I ventured into the unknown in a quest for “Finding My Jeevansathi on Jeevansathi dot com.”

Now, let’s dive into the final chapter of this short series on marriage and love. As I mentioned in my last post, Sumit and I officially began dating on 15th September 2014.

Initially, we only met on Sundays but after a few weeks, we started meeting on Saturdays too. We’d spend the whole day together, hopping from one cafe to another with endless conversations. It’s incredible how quickly we became comfortable with each other as if the universe was paving the way for us. I wanted to truly know and understand him before committing to marriage and I wanted him to do the same.

First, I confirmed if what he had mentioned in his Jeevansathi profile was correct. His love for adventure and travel was the first thing I had noted in his bio. After a few meetings, I found out that he was also a foodie, just like me.

I tested him in various ways to get to know him better, to see his true nature and how he acted and reacted in tense situations. This is something young couples often overlook in their partners because they are so deeply in love. However, once the initial lovey-dovey feelings fade, they often feel clueless about their partner. That’s when the problems start! I didn’t want to take that chance.

We hear a lot about green flags and red flags nowadays. I wasn’t aware of these terms back then but I’m glad I’ve been successful in finding a partner with all green flags.

October 2014 – Finding My Soulmate

It was 4th Oct, a Saturday, when my mom said, ‘Let’s go and meet Sumit at his place.’

I was taken aback! It was unplanned and my mother asked me to confirm with him if we could visit. I could sense his surprise at this sudden request but he agreed nonetheless. At that time, he was living in Noida, sharing an apartment with his friends.

It was such an awkward meeting but he was a gracious host, making us comfortable and even brewing up some chai, which I instantly fell in love with. To this day, he makes chai for me every morning without fail.

Our journey together is filled with countless memories, from our first selfie to birthday celebrations and family meetings. What I loved most about his family was their warmth and acceptance, without any expectations or demands.

You might be thinking that I must have fallen in love with him by then. But no, I didn’t!

I can’t explain why but the feeling just wasn’t there.

And that began to bother me. I started finding fault in everything. I realized that despite our shared interests, our personalities were quite different. This led to clashes of ideas. One day, I became furious over something and told him I didn’t want to continue the relationship.

Somewhere in my mind, I knew I was wrong but didn’t want to admit it. Love had found me but I kept running away.

It was during this time that he saw my other side, my worst side. He could have easily accepted the breakup then; it wasn’t too late. But he stayed. He helped me open up, he listened and we talked. That day, for the first time, I felt a strong connection with him.

On 12th November 2014, we had the Roka ceremony.

Soon after, the elders finalized the wedding date, 15th February 2015, which felt too soon to me. I asked for more time but nobody listened. This time, I didn’t force and went with the flow.

We planned our wedding together, went shopping and visited venues. We embarked on a hunt to find the perfect wedding rings for us. Those three months flew by in a jiffy but they left us with many sweet memories to cherish forever.

Memories 2014

In my quest for finding love and companionship, I stumbled upon something truly remarkable – a soulmate. He isn’t just a partner to me; he’s the missing piece of my soul, completing me in ways I never imagined. With him, I’ve found more than just a lover; he’s my confidant, my friend and someone who truly understands me.

It took me some years to fall in love with him. But our relationship is not just about love, it’s about understanding, respect and mutual support. It’s about weathering the storms together, celebrating the victories, and being there for each other through thick and thin. Our bond is strengthened by laughter, shared dreams and the countless memories we’ve created over the years.

This doesn’t mean we don’t have disagreements, misunderstandings and conflicts. But we’ve learned to communicate openly, to compromise and to grow together as individuals while also growing as partners. Our relationship is a journey of discovery, constantly evolving and deepening as we navigate life’s ups and downs hand in hand.

Some people find their soulmate in a friend or in a lover or in a sibling or in a parent or in their partner. I found my soulmate in my husband. Reflecting on our journey, I am grateful for every twist and turn that led us to where we are today. 

If you are someone who is on a quest for finding a Jeevansathi or embarking on a new relationship, remember to cherish every moment, embrace the journey and trust that the universe will guide you to the right person at the right time. Trust in the power of love and connection! Here’s to finding your soulmate, your forever and creating a love story that’s uniquely yours.

~A message for my soulmate~

Happy 9th anniversary, baby!🧿 So, this year, I’m not going to ask you how we are able to come this far. Now, I’m looking forward to our 10th, 15th, 25th, 50th anniversary and already planning how we are going to celebrate our special days.

Whenever I close my eyes and imagine us in the future, when we get old, very old may be in our 70s, I see us sitting near a beautiful beach looking at the sunrise hand in hand. Then you ask me to go for a walk along the beach and I hesitate and resist but then give you my hand. You help me get up and we hold our canes and take baby steps towards the ocean, reminiscing about the wonderful journey we’ve had together and feeling grateful for every moment we’ve shared. I pray to God everyday to make it happen.

You’ve broken all the bad stereotypes a man carries with him, you’re not just an amazing partner but also a wonderful father. Men like you need to be protected and celebrated at all cost. I’m super proud of you and I love you more than words can express.🧿

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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

The post Finding My Soulmate: A Journey to Forever | Part 3 appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello lovely people, how’s February treating you? Since this is the month of love and also my anniversary month, I wanted to share my unconventional arranged marriage story with you all. In the first part of this post, “Finding Love in Arranged Marriage,” I shared my ordeal of meeting with families to find a perfect partner for marriage. It was quite a daunting task for me and even more distressing for my parents. Today, I am sharing this story of finding my Jeevansathi on Jeevansathi dot com. 

Yesterday was Rose Day, the first day of Valentine’s week! I almost forgot about it this year. But as I opened my eyes in the morning, I saw my husband standing near the bed with a cute bouquet of roses in his hands. My son was also there with him, trying to understand what was going on. Even though my excitement for the love month is fading with age, my husband remembers how this time of year used to make me go crazy with excitement. It was a sweet surprise that made butterflies flutter in my tummy once again. It also made me wonder, does this count as true love?

This took me down memory lane, to the time when I had almost given up on the idea of finding the right match for me, let alone finding love. But it found me. Let me take you on this adventure of how I found my Jeevansathi (life partner) on Jeevansathi dot com.

Finding Jeevansathi

As I was working with a company in Gurgaon at the time, we would only get the weekends to discuss this topic. My parents tried everything to make me understand the importance of marriage. It was like a tug of war, with me trying to live my life in the present and my parents worrying about my future. Then, there came a saturation point when I told them that I would marry anyone they would choose for me without asking any questions.

You know what that meant? It meant I just wanted to get it over with as I couldn’t take it anymore. I started binge-eating and losing my sleep. Within two months, I gained almost 7 kgs. I was always in a depressed mood and I stopped going out on the weekends too. In short, I was losing it!

There’s a pattern I have noticed in my life since childhood. Whenever I hit my lowest, I get this energy to start all over again. An invisible hand holds me and walks me to the right path. Does it happen with you too?

I had understood one thing by then; I could not escape marriage. While I thought I had agreed to what my parents wanted, I had actually made their task much more difficult. No parent can see their child suffering. And, similarly, no child can see their parents helpless.

Then came a day when I sat down with my mother and made a complete plan of how to go about it.

The first task was to take control of my life, my health and my mind. And, to do that I took 3 major steps:

• I left my job (as it was taking all my time & energy)

• Made a profile on Jeevansathi.com (as I wanted to try a different approach)

• Joined swimming, aerobics and yoga classes (as I had to get back my health)

I set a target; by the end of 2014, I would find a man to call mine.

Now, I was spending most of my time on the matrimony website. Within a few weeks, I became a pro in shortlisting and interacting with potential profiles. I knew exactly what to ask for them to move on to the next level. It may sound like HR shortlisting candidates for a job. But it was much more serious than that.

I had made a rule that I would first chat with the person online for a week or two. If everything felt good, then I would move to calls and next to meeting. But I was looking for a person who could make his own decisions. Someone who is progressive in their thinking, mature and dependable. Most importantly, someone whose family listens to them and respects them.

On 28th August 2014, I got a request on my Jeevansathi profile. It was a perfect match as per the website.

I followed the next steps, chatted with the person for a week to understand what he was looking for in his future partner. When I felt this could be taken ahead, I showed the profile to my mother.

After that, we started talking on the phone, and it just clicked. After 15 days, we decided to meet. For our first meeting, I brought my mother along, just in case. I still remember that day clearly; we went to Moti Mahal Delux and ordered some snacks. He seemed confident meeting a girl and her mother for the first time, all alone. I liked that!

My mother was happy!

On the other hand, I was super nervous; couldn’t even talk properly, couldn’t even take a bite of food.

I couldn’t understand what was happening to me. No, it was not love at first sight! For sure 😀

Or, was it? I am still not sure, haha!

Anyways, that meeting was successful. Now, we started meeting every weekend. We were dating!

True love is elusive. Love never comes walking towards you. Some people may stumble upon it by chance but even then, they have to nurture it to see it grow. What do you think?

I don’t know if matrimonial websites still work or not in finding the right alliance, but it worked for me!

If you think the story ends here, you are wrong. We had a breakup-like situation just a month into the courtship period. Who was at fault? Stay tuned to find out!

This is my story of finding a Jeevansathi; want to share yours?

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.

The post Finding My Jeevansathi on Jeevansathi dot com | Part 2 appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello lovely people! This is the month of ‘Love’ and just like January (my son’s birthday month), February is also my favorite month of the year. Nah, not because of the Valentine’s day! But because of my Marriage day! Strange, isn’t it? In Feb 2015, I got married to the person who still makes me fall in love with him again and again. But guess what? It was not Love at first sight! And, of course, it was not a love marriage! It’s strange how some people come into our life and then become our everything. Here’s our story of finding love in an arranged marriage!

I don’t usually write on such topics, but this month, I want to explore my love for blogging and writing. While crafting a blog, I focus on what my readers would want to read and what content they would find helpful or interesting. Mostly, I share valuable information for parents to make their lives easier. However, this month, I want to write for myself. Although I could write it in a personal journal, I also want to make it public. In today’s world, arranged marriages are often looked down upon and finding love can seem too challenging. I want to put this out there before the notion of arranged marriages becomes extinct.

Image Source: listen2guruji.files.wordpress.com/

Also, since I’m participating in #WriteAPageADay with Blogchatter, these posts/entries would be a perfect fit. I have the freedom to write anything I want! Yippee!!!

So, let’s go back to 2014 when my parents were making my life difficult by pestering me to get married. I was 28 years old, pretty frustrated with the whole idea of marriage. No, wait! Not with the concept of marriage but how things are made difficult for a girl by the prospective groom’s family.

You may also read: Reasons I am Happy & Proud of Being a Housewife!

I had already met and said ‘no’ to a few boys by then not because I didn’t like the person but simply because of the expectations their family had from me.

Finding Love: The Arranged Way

One family told me I would have to keep my head covered and eyes down after marriage whenever there will be someone around. That was a shocking demand in the name of respect. I told them I would respect them but I want to keep my head high. They didn’t like that!

Another family was quite religious; they found some fault in my kundli. They wanted me to follow certain rituals, wear some rings, visit the temple every day to ward off the negativity from my stars. I wanted to understand how me doing all this could help their family. I questioned, they got offended!

You may also read: Hey Women! You are no less.

There was one well off family, who didn’t want any dowry from my family. But they said, they wouldn’t stop my parents if they want to give any gifts to their daughter; things that would make me feel comfortable in their home. I told them I don’t really like gifts and their ego got hurt!

Then there were boys who behaved like a puppet in front of their families, expecting me to become a puppet too. No way was I going to marry a man child!

Now, after a decade, I can say I did the right thing. I feel proud of myself for not falling into the guilt trap of ‘ladkiyon ko karna padta hai, sun na padta hai’ (girls have to agree to what their would be in-laws want).

I feel being a single child, I was given a lot of liberty to make my own decisions. But when you are in your late late 20s, and you exhibit all the qualities of being a rebel, it makes your parents deeply concerned.

At that time, it was difficult for me to understand the reason for their worry. Because I was happily living in my house with my family, without any restrictions and financially independent too. There were no rules and regulations for me. I was a free bird!

You may also read: My Life, My Rules – Being a woman in India!

Why would anyone want to leave all this and start over again?

LOVE!!!

Love is the only thing that can make you do things you never wanted to do. Agree?

Yet, love is often overrated! It has to be unconditional to last forever, much like a mother’s love for her child.

But can you really find such love in a marriage?

What are your thoughts on this?

Did I find my true love?

Read Part 2 here – Finding My Jeevansathi on Jeevansathi dot com

This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge.

This blog post is also part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.

The post Finding Love in Arranged Marriage: 9 Years of Love and Laughter | Part 1 appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

In April 2023, I underwent abdominal Hysterectomy surgery to remove my uterus due to Uterine Fibroids. It has now been 5 months since the procedure, and I feel ready to share my experience with the world. Ideally, I should have waited one more month to share this health update, as my first ultrasound is scheduled at 6 months from the surgery date. However, I will share another update next month. In this post, I want to discuss how my life has changed both physically and mentally after the uterus removal surgery for fibroids.

Background

I will share a detailed backstory in the upcoming posts. For now, let me share the background in short and move directly to the main topic. I had several big uterine fibroids, one of which was about 20 cm in size. These fibroids caused me a lot of discomfort & extreme pain and all that was affecting my daily life.

Moreover, whatever I was going through physically was also impacting me mentally. There came a point when I was so overwhelmed and disappointed in myself that I wanted to end my life.

Within a span of 5 months, one of the big fibroids had grown from 8 cm to 19 cm. I had continuous bleeding for 2 months, and the pain I endured on most days felt like a knife stabbing me in my lower abdomen. Additionally, I suffered from persistent sharp lower back pain. Some days, I couldn’t even get out of bed. In short, my life had turned into a living nightmare.

Present Day

Fast forward to today, and I’ve not felt this good in the last 6-7 years since having my baby. The lower back pain, which we initially associated with sciatica, has mysteriously vanished. Where has the pain gone?

I have this question because no one, literally no one, told me that this pain could be due to fibroid or endometriosis.

I lost 8 Kgs weight just a month after my surgery. Does that mean my condition was making me gain weight rapidly?

Although I haven’t lost any additional weight beyond that, I haven’t gained any either. So, that’s a good sign, right?

Also, I no longer get periods!

However, I do get mild Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms (which were severe before the surgery) because one of my ovaries is still intact. The exact reason for PMS is not clear to researchers, but some believe that changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may be responsible.

Initially, I felt sad because I was expecting a life free from anything related to periods. But when I thought about it, I felt a sense of relief. If my hormones were not functioning correctly, it would mean that my ovary was not working, possibly leading to early menopause, for which I am not prepared.

So, PMS still challenges me for about 9-10 days every month, with 5-6 of those days being particularly intense. By “intense”, I mean experiencing wild mood swings, itchy skin around my knees and elbows, food cravings and fluid retention (edema) in my abdomen and feet.

I am just guessing, may be the PMS symptoms might be milder or not present at all if both my ovaries were in good condition. But who knows?

Oh and yes, I have regained control over my bladder. The fibroid was putting so much pressure on my bladder that I was not able to hold urine for more than an hour or two. Yes, it was quite embarrassing, but not anymore!

Managing PMS after Uterus Removal Surgery

The only challenge I am facing in terms of my health after the surgery is PMS.

PMS, or Premenstrual Syndrome, is like your body’s way of giving you signals before your period starts. It can make you feel moody, tired, and sometimes achy. You might also get cravings for specific foods or have trouble sleeping. It’s like a little (for some, harsh) warning from your body that your period is on its way.

As mentioned earlier, I still get PMS, but it’s milder now, which allows me to manage these symptoms more effectively.

Food Cravings

First, let’s talk about food cravings. During those 5-6 days, I crave for more salty, more sweet and more spicy foods. I no longer stop myself from indulging in these cravings because it helps me feel calmer in the moment. The good news is that I can now control the portion size of what I eat.

To balance this out, I make sure not to eat these foods and other junk foods for the rest of the month. Managing food cravings wasn’t this easy before my uterus removal surgery for fibroids. I used to get such cravings for about 2 weeks, and during the next 1 week, I would either be half-dead due to heavy bleeding and pain or depressed due to my periods not knocking on the door. Then, I would overeat not due to cravings but due to stress. I would get only 1 week in the entire month when I felt like eating healthy, home-cooked food.

Mood Swings

Secondly, there are the mood swings. Around the same dates every month, I feel down and tired for no apparent reason. I take 1 or 2 days to confirm that this is associated with PMS. Once I’m sure, I just slow down.

I inform my husband about this, and he takes care that I am comfortable. My son is also supportive during this time, understanding that I need space. Now that I understand what I am going through, I keep assuring myself that everything will be okay, and this is just a matter of a few days. This positive mindset is helping me a lot in managing my emotions.

These mood swings peak for 5-6 days, during which I just shut down completely. I don’t interact with anyone as I know anything can trigger me during this time.

I have noticed that travelling and spending time in nature makes me feel better instantly.

Even before my surgery, travelling was something that would make me forget even the worst of  pains. Despite bleeding heavily and enduring constant pain during our Lakshadweep trip, no one could tell the extent of my suffering. In the last 5 months, I travelled twice during my PMS, and I didn’t experience severe mood swings or food cravings during those times. However, I get rashes and fluid retention, for which I’m still searching for a permanent solution.

For the rashes, my gynecologist recommended consulting an endocrinologist and a dermatologist to find out the root cause. Now, I’ll have to wait for my next PMS cycle to show those rashes to the doctor and receive the right treatment.

As for fluid retention, I was advised to do physical activity when PMS symptoms occur. However, from my experience, exercise doesn’t help me much. While fluid retention means that I get chest cramps, I gain weight, and my shoes don’t fit, apart from this, it’s not a much bother.

Life After Uterus Removal Surgery for Fibroids

All in all, my quality of life has improved drastically after the surgery. Physically, I can now do things that were impossible for me before. If you follow our YouTube channel, ‘Growing with Nemit‘, then you may have seen a video where we visited a waterfall, and I was able to climb up and down the hill without any issues. This activity would have been unthinkable earlier due to my back pain, and I often struggled with balance. If you haven’t watched the video yet, then do check it out below.

Mentally, I feel much more at peace now. I have come to realize that physical pain directly affects my mood. Even now, I drown into deep sadness whenever I experience any type of pain. However, before the surgery, the pain was so extreme and constant that it had become impossible for me to come out of that sad phase. And, it had almost turned into depression.

Last year, when I started seeking therapy, I had accepted that I was suffering from some grave mental illness. I was waiting for my therapist to provide a name for my condition. Strangely, she never gave me a straightforward answer, perhaps because she understood that my emotions and feelings were rooted in my physical condition. I can’t say for sure, but this is what I feel.

Since my surgery, I am not taking therapy, and I consider it a huge win as now I am able to manage my emotions on my own. All those feelings of guilt, worthlessness, not doing enough, and not being good enough, are gone.

I had withdrawn from social interactions and ceased communicating with people. Now, after the surgery, I am gradually coming out of my cocoon.

Because now, I feel ALIVE! I want to LIVE Once Again!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Neha Sharma | Mom Travel Blogger (@growing_with_nemit)

If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis and have any questions about the surgery or anything else, please feel free to reach out to me. You may write down your queries in the comments below or DM me on Instagram.

The post Life After Uterus Removal Surgery for Fibroids | Health Update appeared first on Growing With Nemit.

Hello everyone, hope you all are doing good! I am writing almost after a month on the blog, and oh, I missed this so much. But a lot had been going on in my mind regarding the content that I want to put out here. So, this time I want to take up a few topics which are really close to my heart and I want to share my experience and learnings about the same. Today’s post is part of one of the series I am starting on the blog and we will call it #OurMontessoriAdventures. And, I want to start it with the topic ‘Why we chose Montessori over Traditional schools?’

I want to take you on a personal journey, sharing why my husband and I chose Montessori education for our 6-year-old son over traditional schools.

Buckle up as we dive into the exciting world of Montessori magic!

Online Classes to Offline School

When our little one first started school in 2020, we were quite hopeful about his educational journey. But then, the pandemic struck, and online classes became the new norm. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, juggling work from home and helping our son navigate this virtual learning world.

Check out this fun video we made about parents during online classes-

As schools slowly reopened in 2022, we were thrilled at the thought of our boy going to explore the offline school, meeting his friends and teachers for the first time and not through the digital screen.

However, the reality turned out to be quite different. His school seemed to have forgotten that kids are, well, kids!

Children were made to sit for hours on end, lessons after lessons, without even a tiny break. Imagine being discouraged from using the washroom or refilling water bottles – it broke our hearts!

Image Source – Pexels

Our son came home drained and demotivated, dreading the next school day. To top it off, we received frequent complaints from his teachers about his restless behavior in class. Our little chatterbox found it challenging to sit in one place, preferring to chat with friends instead of paying attention to lessons.

You may ask what’s the big deal here?

Thousands of kids all over the country are part of such an education system and still they are doing fine. This is how it has been forever, isn’t it?

I have questioned myself again and again why all this is making me worried. Am I being paranoid for no reason. Am I being over protective? What if I am being irrational by questioning the traditional teaching environment? I have grown up being a part of such conventional learning and I turned out fine. I loved my school and my teachers.

But hello, are we forgetting that each child is unique! The times now have changed!

I may have turned out fine but there are many who suffer each day every day. Because they have no other alternative.

My son is not me! This thought struck me hard. I have always believed in the child led learning, easy going approach, let the child be a child and making learning fun.

So, why am I now failing at the hands of traditional teaching? When I know clearly this is not what I believe in and it is not the best for my child.

After a month of going back and forth with my thoughts, I realized that I was not alone in this. There were other parents who were also going through the same dilemma. There were long chats, basically vent outs, daily in the school moms’ group. Nobody was happy with what our children were going through at school. But nobody knew the way out.

That’s when we knew we had to find a better way for our son to learn and thrive. After a lot of research and soul-searching, we stumbled upon the Montessori method of education for elementary. The more we read about it, the more it felt like a breath of fresh air!

Montessori classrooms were all about nurturing the child’s curiosity, independence, and joy for learning.

Image Source – Lamplighter Montessori School

I was already aware of Montessori way of teaching and learning as I have followed a lot of their principles at home when Nemit was a toddler. Even his pre-school was following the similar philosophy focusing on multiple intelligence, inquiry based learning and experiential learning.

What helped us in our decision was an opportunity to relocate to Bangalore, the city known for some of the best alternative schools in the country.

With butterflies in our stomachs, we took the leap and enrolled our son in a Montessori school in Bangalore in June 2022. The moment he stepped into that child-centric environment, we knew we had made the right decision.

9 Reasons for Choosing Montessori over Traditional Schools

In Montessori school, our son experienced a world of freedom and exploration. The classroom was like a mini wonderland, filled with materials that sparked his imagination. Here are our 9 reasons that made us choose Montessori over Traditional schools at first glance. Our son joined the Montessori in Elementary Grade 2.

1 – Montessori classrooms don’t have any structured layout and seating arrangement. The children are not expected to sit at one place for the whole day. They can choose wherever they want to sit and they can choose whatever they want to learn.

2 – The role of the teacher in a Montessori environment is of an observer, guide or mentor. The teacher helps the child only if the child needs help or asks for guidance. There is no set curriculum and no lectures delivered.

3 – In Montessori, they follow an uninterrupted 3-hour work cycle which is the time when the child chooses the activity or topic he wants to learn and explore. If the child wants to continue with single subject, they are not disturbed during their work.

4 – Children in a Montessori environment are not expected to ask for permissions for loo breaks or water breaks. They can tend to their needs without worrying about the teacher’s reaction.

5 – Montessori classrooms typically have mixed-age groups, allowing younger children to learn from older peers and older children to reinforce their knowledge by helping younger ones. This creates a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

You may also read: Role of Play-Based Learning in a Child’s Development!

6 – There is no concept of rote learning and memorization in Montessori. Children work with special materials which facilitate the child’s exploration, understanding, and mastery of various concepts.

7 – Montessori education gives equal focus on extra-curricular activities. Along with sports and arts, they also include gardening, cooking, outdoor exploration, community service and social awareness.

8 – Montessori schools don’t expect parents or external tutors to teach children or help them with their homework, if there’s any. There is no burden of homework, assignments, projects, etc.

9 – There’s no concept of reward or punishment in Montessori. Instead of resorting to punishments or harsh discipline, Montessori teachers use encouragement and positive reinforcement to guide children toward making better choices.

The reason to choose Montessori over Traditional schools goes beyond academics.

Sure, the transition wasn’t without its challenges. As parents who grew up in conventional schools, we had to unlearn some preconceived notions. I will talk about this and many other things we are learning about Montessori education in my upcoming posts.

If you are someone who is in a dilemma whether to choose a regular school for your child or go for other alternative options; I would say do check other options too.

In the end, all we want as parents is to see our children flourish, and only you are the right judge of what will suit your child’s need. So, take your time, do some research, understand what will work best for your child and then take a decision.

This is Part 1 of #OurMontessoriAdventures Blog Series. I will meet you soon with another Montessori related topic. Meanwhile, if you have any questions regarding Montessori system, you may write them down in the comments below.

You may read Part 2 here: Debunking Montessori Myths for Elementary Education!

The post Why We Chose Montessori Over Traditional Schools? appeared first on Growing With Nemit.