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Genelia Deshmukh talks about motherhood and more

by femina | May 17, 2018, 6:40 PM IST The numbers are in and they don’t look good. As per the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there have been 38,811 flu cases and 2,266 flu-related deaths in India, during 2017. Despite this, a survey conducted by Abbott found that 40 per cent of mothers and parents surveyed do not take flu seriously. Moreover, 58% were found to be completely unaware of the type of virus which causes influenza. However, there is hope. Raising awareness is the first step to tackling a problem and with their ‘Mothers Against Influenza’ campaign, it is exactly what Abbott aims to do. The campaign focuses on encouraging mothers to initiate conversations with their doctors so that they are thoroughly informed about influenza, its symptoms and precautions. And Genelia Deshmukh is all for it. This mother of two has something important to say to all mothers out there. She talks to us about the rollercoaster journey that motherhood is.

Q) As a mother of two, is it hard to maintain a fitness routine?
“I do find it difficult since I’m constantly running between my two kids. But I think it is important to pay attention to fitness because as a mother, you often forget about yourself. Sometimes, fitness is also about making yourself feel good. After all, only a happy mum can have happy kids.”

Q) Does the journey of motherhood get easier the second time around?
“I think it does. Actually, I don’t know if it’s the journey itself that gets easier or you get more confident the second time. But one thing I figured out is that there can be just one mom for children. She will make decisions that she thinks are the best for her kids and she’s never going to do it any other way. Sometimes you learn on the way, that’s part of the journey. But I don’t think any mom ever makes a wrong decision.”

Q) What do you think about vaccination?
“In our time, we didn’t have that many vaccinations. But back then, India wasn’t as high-risk as it is now. Infections are spreading by the minute and things have grown out of proportion. Obviously, a lot of this is man-made and a product of our doing. But you have to live with the times. If there are more infections today, you need to support yourself in a certain way. If you lived in a country where so much wasn’t happening, you wouldn’t need vaccinations. But I am for vaccination. I believe it helps—if not you, then someone else. It’s about stopping the spread of an infection or a virus that is more important.”

Q) Are Riteish and you equally involved in vaccination decisions when it comes to your children?
“I may be more involved in the process, but Riteish also wants to know and understand everything too. He’s not someone who will tell me to deal with it on my own, and neither am I the kind to tell him I’ll be the only one to handle it. We’re in this together.”

Q) What made you be a part of the ‘Mothers Against Influenza’ movement?
“As a mother, you’re out to do your best. I, myself, learned about influenza recently. But since I have done the vaccination during the flu season, both times, I’ve done my bit. However, I think it’s important to understand the situation. While I can’t get someone to make the decision, I can encourage them go to their pediatrician or gynecologist and find out what needs to be done.  Spreading awareness is important. And mothers have a tendency to form a community of their own. So, it’s nice to have some give and take of information within this community.”
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