Anukta Mukherjee Ghosh knows a thing or two about juggling responsibilities. For the best part of two decades, she balanced her corporate career with her passion for art. For roughly the same time, which coincided with Anukta becoming a full-time, independent artist, she has also essayed the dual roles of professional painter and mother. My Kolkata spoke to Anukta about raising Anvita, her 18-year-old daughter, and her journey of motherhood so far.

What is the one thing about motherhood no one tells you?

It’s the ultimate unpaid internship with a lifetime contract! You become a master negotiator with a pint-sized but formidable adversary. But it’s an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything else in the world.

How real is mom guilt? How do you deal with it?

Oh, well, it’s real for sure. I vividly recall the challenges of returning to full-time work, often involving outstation trips, when my daughter was only one-year-old. It was tough. However, transitioning from a corporate environment to a more flexible, creative career path made a world of difference for me. Working from my own space and on my own schedule helped me navigate motherhood seamlessly, especially during her middle school years and beyond. This shift allowed me to be present for her in ways that felt meaningful.

Do you ever learn to completely trust your child such that you can just sit back and relax, and watch things unfold?

Yes, surprisingly, I do believe I’ve reached a point where I can trust my child and feel more at ease watching things unfold. From her early years, I emphasised the importance of owning the consequences of her actions, whether in academics, friendships or life in general. I’ve seen her grow into a responsible young adult capable of handling herself, or at least that’s what I like to believe! Seeing her take ownership and make thoughtful decisions has definitely built my confidence in her abilities.

‘I believe I’ve reached a point where I can trust my child and feel more at ease watching things unfold. From her early years, I emphasised the importance of owning the consequences of her actions’

Have you ever thrown an outright tantrum, just like your child? Or have you felt like throwing one?

Absolutely! While I can’t say I’ve thrown a full-blown tantrum like my child, there was a memorable phase when her friends would gather in my bedroom and leave my dressing table in complete disarray — cosmetics everywhere! On one occasion after they left, I definitely gave her a piece of my mind. It was a moment of pure parental frustration for sure!

Life before child, life after child — two biggest changes?

Before having a child, life felt carefree as I focused on my own needs and desires. After becoming a parent, everything shifted naturally towards prioritising my daughter. It wasn’t a deliberate change but rather a seamless evolution, wherein my decisions began revolving around her well-being. Now, as I prepare to watch her leave the nest and embark on her own journey, it feels like life is coming full circle — a bittersweet realisation of the profound impact she’s had on my world.