Who are we?
Insightful Parents just like you.
We are also two friends with different world views and different life journeys with a common belief system. We both believe in family and we both believe in preparing our respective child for the road, rather than preparing the road for them.
We research, we argue about concepts, we sulk, we talk it out and then we get back to working together – for isn’t friendship another form of family?
By virtue of belonging to different genders and belonging to different ideologies, our inputs cover two sides of every story, every thought. Yin and Yang – the concept of dualism, describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent – that is what we hope to bring to Insightful parents.
Our Vision
Our Mission
Uma Iyer
Sonder – a word that means ‘Every stranger has a story’.
This is mine.
I was raised in small town Thane in a typical middle class family. One would think as a nuclear family of four (older brother – got all the brains, unfair fellow), we would have lead a quiet existence. But no. We belong to ‘Clan Amoor’ and we are a large, boisterous and utterly connected bunch of people who insist on spending maximum time of the year under one roof.
Learning no 1 – Nothing teaches you diplomacy better than playing older sister to a bunch of brats.
As a career, I chose to study Food Science and Nutrition. In my final year, a professor pulled me aside and told me, “you will never be a great nutritionist, but your papers are a big hit in the staff room… don’t waste a MSc seat, take up writing.” So I did just that and dove head first into the big crazy world of journalism. An MA in English Literature and a Diploma in Mass Communication later I was ready for the world.
Learning no 2 – Real world does not play with the same rules as the ones mentioned in the books.
I met all kinds of people. I learnt to control my impetuous self. I learnt to watch my tongue. I learnt about human behaviours and nature. And I understood that every battle cannot be fought, but a well chosen war could be won.
Learning no 3 – The least represented and ironically, the most important cog to stand up for are the children.
My marriage is a classic example of when things have to happen, it happens. In my case it was good, in Sriram’s case – not so much. We can’t all get lucky now, can we? Our daughter Ankita is almost a teen (to send solidarity mails, please use the contact form).
Learning no 4 – No amount of counselling other children, baby sitting, studying about emotional health etc prepares you for raising your child.
Writing is my first love. Okay I lied, it comes after forest and seas and dogs and cats and baby elephants (certified Permaculturist heart speaking). Parenting is an insanely fantastic topic that has caught and held my attention. I get to research (great love number 6), I get to interact with fascinating people and I get to be part of an open minded community. Total win.
Learn no 5 – The signs are always there, one just needs to notice them and follow the calling.
This is me. What’s your story.
Bimal Raj
I was born in a traditional middle class mallu family. When I tell my friends that I’m God’s gift to mankind, they don’t understand that I’m only referring to the fact that I’m from God’s own country (Kerala, India).
My parents have been my biggest role models; my father has been the most practical man I have come across in life. Taught me about the importance of relationships, lived it up by taking care of multiple families on single income when it was required. My amma is the most patient human I know, am yet to hear a loud shout from her (Well, just about 80 plus now. So there’s still time). She taught me unconditional love and the love for cooking.
My sisters are a combination of Moms, sisters and monsters (in our younger days). I had the privilege of being the bully of my family since I was God’s gift (refer para 1). Till that fateful day while I was chasing both of them and they suddenly stopped and said “Why are we running? We are two and bigger”. The chase continued albeit in the opposite direction.
Joined the Indian Navy, made lifelong friends who are like brothers. Being a Coursemate is a right and a privilege.
Life did a 180 degree turn when I had a head on collision with a truck during my watch-keeping days onboard INS Vindhyagiri. Was in the hospital for about two years (yeah…Ouch). There were some interesting things I learnt there. I saw the effects of good parenting and bad parenting on the bed right next to me. I saw retired officers with families who cared and also those who didn’t care a bit. I saw their joy and the regret of not focussing on families. My life lessons on importance of family began there, but I was learning purely for myself, without the intention to share the knowledge.
Well, I guess even half functional faujis are considered good enough by some women. I met my lovely wife Pallavi shortly after another major life lesson. For me it was love at first sight, unfortunately it wasn’t the same for her. But remember I was in the defence and once we decide to capture a territory, we give our everything into it.
I was ill-prepared to welcome a child in our lives when we heard the doctor confirm the pregnancy. I still was doubtful 9 months later, but the day the nurse came and placed my daughter in my hands, I just have no clue as to what exactly happened. She was wide awake and looked at me in the eye and caught hold of my little finger. At that point, I felt as if my heart would explode with love. Giaa-Marie Raj became the centre point of my existence. Today, 11 years later, I still cannot believe this miracle is ours.
Being a parent is the greatest gift and the greatest responsibility. I used to share my learnings and concepts on Parenting with friends and family. They encouraged me to take it all to a wider audience and that, my dear reader, is the how the seed for Insightful Parents was sown.
