Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You’ve often said, “If you have a dream …make it a goal”. Tell us about your dreams and how you wish to make them your goals?
Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:
Yes, I believe it applies in all aspects of life: Health, business, personal relationships or philanthropic ventures. We are not made to sit idle and watch the world go by. We are meant to be active living participants, engaging all aspects of ourselves in mind, body and spirit. This is the only way to feel balanced and fulfilled. My focus right now is on raising my children to be healthy, smart, empathetic, compassionate and giving individuals with a sense of civic responsibility. At this moment in my life, this is the best way I can serve the world.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to finding new balance in your life.
Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:
At times in my life I have had to learn the lesson of balance the hard way. When I take on a challenge I often take them on head strong, and in the process I can get somewhat too focused on a given project and thus lose my balance. Before having kids, this would happen in my human rights work. I would take on a campaign and be fully focused on helping save the lives of young children on death row through my organization Stop Child Executions. It would sometimes be mid afternoon when a family member would remind me to eat breakfast and get some fresh air.
For the past three years my entire focus has been on my children and as a result my health/fitness, humanitarian work and relationships have taken a back seat including time to center myself. I have recognized this and have recently hired some help so that I can once again look after these other needs and be the best version of “me”. A better equilibrium means that I can be a better mom, spouse, friend and global citizen. Since my wonderful helper “Kayla” has arrived on the scene I have been able to do a lot of “firsts” since having my baby girl over a year ago: my first date with my husband, attending mass at church, fitting in a massage, having lunch with my mom and taking a stroll on the boardwalk ON MY OWN near the beach. It is amazing how little changes in our lives can make us feel completely renewed. I am grateful for the extra help. As moms, I find we tend to try to ‘do everything’. We need to keep a mantra and remind ourselves that it is ok to get help and share responsibilities.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
According to you, how important is the role of your family members in bringing up children?
Ms. Nazanin Afshin-Jam:
There are a lot of single moms and dads who are doing a fantastic job in raising their children on their own, however it is extremely difficult. As long as a child has a constant and stable loving guardian to look after their physical and emotional needs they will grow and develop well. Every additional member of family or help is an added bonus because each individual can teach and offer the child something new. My husband for example is very physical with the kids, wrestling them, throwing them in the air, playing hockey, baseball and other sports. My mother is good at providing them a million kisses. Their cousins teach them different games and ways to think and play. I am blessed that my parents, sister and her family have moved to Toronto so that we can be close as a family.
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