A Second Chance At Life: Pallabi’s Journey As A Single Parent

Pallabi Chatterjee, an editor, became a parent during the pandemic. “The initial phase was definitely tough. Maybe it was postpartum depression, but I had negative thoughts for a while,” she said. Nothing really prepares you for what comes next, after a child is born, she reiterates. 

Soon after though, she started viewing the bond with her daughter, Parnika, as a special one – one she’s been given the chance to develop and nurture. In 2022, she went through a separation with her partner. 

“Now, after everything that I have gone through, I truly believe that life has given me a second chance, and my daughter is a major catalyst for that,” she said. 

While the loneliness and difficult days are a reality, Pallabi says that the independence that comes with being a single parent, is something she treasures. 

“You have to be strong enough to set boundaries, and have the courage to stick to the task of parenting alone, even when it gets hard. The freedom to make choices for my child, without obligations to people whose thinking isn’t in sync with mine, is the bit I like most,” she said. She emphasizes that is never an easy choice to make, but it’s also of help to victimise oneself, if one has chosen this path. 

Most activities are shared activities for this duo. From making the bed, to doing a weekly pooja, they’re mostly side by side during all tasks. One of the most looked-forward parts of the day, for both mother and daughter, is their time together at the park every day. While Pallabi exercises, she plays and runs around. 

Parnika stays in a daycare on days that Pallabi has to go to office. Daycare, and some househelp are the primary support systems Pallabi credits, for helping her run the ship smoothly. 

She advises people to be fully ready, before diving into the parenthood journey. “Discuss every little thing – finances, education, values you plan to instil, ideals, etc. Also, discuss how much you’ll let others interfere in your parenting style,” she highlighted.