Smooth Sailing! (Not Always)

Thirty-one-year-old Noopur Singh talks to M&B about ‘navigating’ through the challenges of her long-distance marriage to her merchant navy officer husband; and being primary caregiver to two-year-old Anaya

- KRISELLE FONSECA

When I first interacted with Delhi-based Noopur Singh, her story hit close to home. Being the daughter of a captain in the merchant navy, and with a partner in the same profession, I knew exactly what she was talking about even when she couldn’t express it in words. There was a sense of familiarity in her emotions. I couldn’t help but draw many parallels between her mommyhood journey and that of my mum’s—they’re both self-dependent women who shouldered both parents’ responsibilities in the absence of their spouse, and single-handedly ran the household, while also keeping their own sanity in check!

Our conversation was more like a much-needed girl talk. We exchanged notes and heartfelt emotions about dealing with being separated from our partners by oceans and continents, and the unparalleled joys of awaited reunions. Although I’m far from reaching that stage in my own life, there was a lot that I could learn from this modern-day sailor wife and mum. Read on as Noopur revisits the highs and lows of her parenting journey, all the while, transforming the lows into her strengths...

SETTING SAIL