310 Days for Me!

Mumbai.

The women of India don’t get pampered very often. Work, family, education, responsibilities follow them wherever they go. Unless they are pregnant or with a newborn! During their 9 months of pregnancy and the 40 days that follow they can request what they want when they want it.




Before their first delivery most girls go back to their mother’s home to be taken care of. Cooks are brought in to prepare food for the guests who will visit. She sleeps, relaxes, takes care of her self. Devangi told us that during her pregnancy she would wake her husband and mother-in-law in the middle of the night for Nachos. Her husband, who never entered the kitchen, never catered to her needs, would leave the house and bring her a bag of nachos. Her Mother-in-Law would never say a word. She was “delicate”.

After delivery most women here in India have 40 days of being pampered. Good food, long sleeps, massage are all part of the recovery. Work in the home is picked up by other family members. Many don’t leave their room for those 40 days. Food is brought to them. Their husbands may visit daily or occasionally depending on his schedule.



For the second child, most women still get the 40 days but at their in-laws home instead of their mothers. Devangi told us she was taken care of very well by her in-laws so staying there was not an issue.

This is the only time we have heard women speak of ‘themselves’ in the absence of the people they take care of. Becoming a mother gives you privileges. The privilege of being the center of attention. The privilege of being taken care of. The privilege of a day without work.

For this time only … she is the center of attention.

Opportunity: Give her an extra 55 days to feel special.