Making It Work

Because really, if you look closely, there's no real problem. You still love your buddy. She still loves you. And she still wants to know every single detail about your life... The hitch then is that of time. Finding time to catch up has become close to impossible. Pracheta says, ''Yes, I know my pal won't have any time for me, because obviously, we're not really priority any more. It's really how you work around that problem that matters.'' Usha agrees: "Suman and I worked around the situation. I used to simply land up at her place and sit with her as she fed the baby, changed nappies... the works! We stopped going out - but we made a conscious effort not to let that stop communication between us. Now we are in a better position - the baby is slightly older and Suman simply carries her around the city... Otherwise, her home is our meeting place!"

Go With The Flow

Priorities change. And you've got to change with them. Things change. And thank God they do. Isn't that what growth - even in friendships - is all about? In my mind, I've shut the door on the college canteen firmly behind me.

The Doctor Says...

Dr Anjali Chhabria says it's all par for the friendship course.

First-time mothers are very overwhelmed with the baby's arrival. They are coping with a life-changing experience. And in this time, who can they take for granted if not their closest friends and family? They want to spend time with their friends, but since they're always busy with the baby, they combine the two... and ask friends to come help with the baby or go shopping, etc. What every first-time mom needs to remember is that she needs to take time out for herself too and think beyond the baby. She needs to sometimes, put the baby in someone's care and go out for a while with her pals... it's a great stress buster.