#22: Motherhood, Marriage, Letting Go, and Lifelong Love, ft. Sanghamitra Chakraborty

Sanghamitra Chakraborty, a seasoned writer and editor, takes us through the journey of motherhood, marriage, and self-identity. She reflects on raising her son Srijan (Josh), the bittersweet reality of seeing him become independent, and how parenting never truly ends—even when your child is grown.

Through warmth, honesty, and humor, Sangamitra opens up about the real challenges of parenting—the mistakes, the guilt, the growth, and the love that remains unwavering. She shares how she and her husband, Arunava Sinha, built a marriage on friendship, tackled parenting disagreements, and navigated the complexities of letting go.

From childhood stories to postpartum struggles, from dealing with empty nest syndrome to debating about giving children gadgets, this conversation is a heartfelt reflection on what it truly means to be a parent. If you are a parent (or plan to be one), this episode will touch you deeply.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• The Emotional Journey of Parenthood: Why parenting never really ends, even when your child is an adult.
• Motherhood & Identity: The struggle to maintain a sense of self while being a parent.
• Lessons from an Older Mother: How having a child in her mid-30s shaped Sanghamitra’s parenting style.
• Balancing Career & Motherhood: The guilt, the choices, and the struggle to find reliable help.
• Parenting Through Postpartum Depression: How emotional turbulence in the early years shaped her journey.
• The Empty Nest Transition: Learning to cope with loneliness after your child moves away.
• Raising a Kind & Empathetic Child: Why emotional intelligence is more valuable than achievements.
• Marriage & Parenting: How differences in parenting styles between partners can be navigated.

Notable References & Cultural Mentions

• What to Expect When You’re Expecting – The book Sanghamitra relied on during pregnancy.
• Mother India & Nirupa Roy’s Iconic Mother Roles – How Bollywood’s portrayal of motherhood shaped emotional expectations.
• Soumitra Chatterjee and His World – Sanghamitra’s latest book.
• Shelja Sen’s Parenting Columns in Children First – One of the first long-running parenting columns in India, commissioned by Sanghamitra.
• Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) – A place where young Josh’s love for reading was recognized by many.
• TED Talks on Parenting & Technology – A source of research for Sanghamitra’s debates on gadget exposure for kids.
• Psychology of Parenting Books – Sanghamitra’s reading material that informed her parenting choices.
• The COVID Lockdown & Travel Restrictions – How it disrupted Srijan’s education and led to mental health struggles.

Why Should You Listen?

• If You’re