Additional Coverage:
- After I had my first baby, we were spending almost $700 a month on takeout. Hiring a cook actually saved us money. (businessinsider.com)
London Lawyer Finds Secret Ingredient to a Happy Maternity Leave: A Cook!
New mom and lawyer Pooja Shah had a vision for her maternity leave: homemade meals, leisurely strolls through London parks, and embracing domestic bliss. The reality? Exhaustion, takeout overload, and a dwindling bank account.
Shah, a self-described Type A personality, found herself overwhelmed by the demands of new motherhood after relocating from New York City. Instead of gourmet meals, she and her husband were spending close to $700 a month on takeout, leaving a trail of wilting groceries in their wake. The constant feedings and sleepless nights left her with little energy to cook, and the takeout habit wasn’t helping her shed the baby weight.
The turning point came when Shah realized just how much they were spending. Feeling guilty about the expense and sluggish from the unhealthy diet, she knew something had to give. A Facebook group for Indian expats in Watford provided the unexpected solution: a local cook for $15 an hour.
With glowing reviews from other families, Shah quickly hired the cook, who now prepares breakfasts, lunches, and dinners twice a week. The $90 weekly investment has been a game-changer.
Shah’s fridge is now stocked with healthy, delicious meals ranging from chia pudding and tofu scrambles to curries and casseroles. After an initial trial-and-error period to fine-tune the spice levels and preferred dishes, the cook now prepares meals perfectly suited to the family’s tastes.
The results? The family’s monthly food bill has plummeted to $270, Shah has more energy and is losing the baby weight, and mealtimes are no longer a source of stress. Weekends are reserved for family cooking time and the occasional takeout treat.
Shah admits she initially felt guilty about outsourcing cooking, feeling it went against her pre-baby ideals. However, she realized that delegating, a skill honed in the corporate world, could also be applied to motherhood. The extra time and mental space have allowed her to bond with her son and truly enjoy her maternity leave.
What began as an indulgence has become an essential part of Shah’s new life in London. The cook’s services have expanded to include house cleaning and occasional babysitting, giving Shah the time for solo walks and meetings. For this busy lawyer, the key to a happy and healthy maternity leave wasn’t doing it all, but finding the right help at the right time.