BARRISTER MITI SANJANA is an advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and is the partner of LEGAL COUNSEL, an internationally proclaimed and well-reputed law firm. She was called to the bar of England and Wales by the Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, UK. She is a corporate lawyer. In addition to her diverse legal practices, she is also an activist and a regular columnist. She speaks frequently about the women and children rights issues, domestic violence, Human Rights issues, politics in different TV talk shows. Miti Sanjana talks to Weekend Plus (The New Nation) about parenting and work-family balance.
Weekend Plus: How do you manage work pressure and home commitments?
Miti Sanjana: I think so far life has been quite comfortable as I try to plan ahead. I have one son, Auritro. He is 8 year old. Family always comes first for me. I try to ensure that I spend enough quality time with my family and kid. I always try not to miss any important family event. Every working woman faces different challenges and situations. I try to work out plans that help me to manage my family and career. Advance planning makes life easier.
Weekend Plus: When you’re not busy in the workplace, what are your favorite indulgences?
Miti Sanjana: I love spending time with my friends and family. I love hanging out with my close friends. It helps keep me in high life condition. I also help my son with his homework. We love to explore new places. My personal choice is mountains and the seaside. On a regular basis, we love to be around beaches and mountains.
Weekend Plus: Do you find time to step in the kitchen?
Miti Sanjana: I love cooking but I don’t get a chance to cook too often. I get all the cooking ingredients ready the previous night. Trim the meat, chop the vegetables, measure out the spices and get everything ready. Usually, I prefer eating nutritious home-made meals and less spending on eating out.
Weekend Plus: Did your parents parenting techniques differ from your parenting styles?
Miti Sanjana: I think an ideal family conveys and teaches good values to the generation next. An ideal parent puts the kids first, not themselves. I picked up a lot of my parenting techniques from my dad because he was a fun loving person and not a strict rule follower. I want my son to be able to tell me the truth. I want to be more of open parenting technique.
Weekend Plus: What do you understand by the term Perfect parenting?
Miti Sanjana: All parents want their kids to achieve high levels of academic success but many of us make the mistake of focusing on a narrow definition of success, one which revolves around exams, grading, comparison, and competition with other children. We often forget that the pressure to win and be the best can sometimes be too much for children, making them anxious and miserable. Apart from the textbook-oriented education that children get in school, we have to also nurture wholesome hobbies in them, which seem to be falling out of fashion. As parents we should allow our children to explore their passion for music, nature, reading books, sports, and other hobbies. Passion is a strong feeling of enthusiasm for something. It is true that passion cannot always guarantee a successful life or financial stability. It isn’t the thing that guarantees a six-figure salary. But passion is certainly the key to a happy life, which is more meaningful and rewarding. n
