Kareena Kapoor Khan: Tired after childbirth, I asked Saif to give Taimur kangaroo love

Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, who was in Delhi, on Sunday, to be a panellist for discussion on ways to eliminate preventable neonatal deaths, said, “I chose to celebrate Mother’s Day on this stage with other eminent people because my son (Taimur) is celebrating Father’s Day with his father. It’s because of this support that I’m here today,” said the 37-year-old actor.

Kareena, who is a UNICEF Goodwill Advocate, spoke about girl-child education, and emphasised on the significance of family support in a child’s upbringing. “I’ve been lucky [and] give utmost credit to Saif (Saif Ali Khan — her husband, actor). The first thing after childbirth that you want to do is put the child on the mother’s breast. After childbirth I was tired, but that was on my mind. With my eyes half shut, I asked Saif to give Taimur that kangaroo love. When the mother is recuperating from childbirth, the father must step in. A shout out to those fathers whose support is important for a newborn’s health,” she said.

“Taimur loves his time with his mother! I think his mother spoils him because I’m always giving him the warmth and the cuddle. His father is teaching him to play cricket. So there are things that we both try to balance out. When I’m doing a film, then Saif tries to be around. But now he’s shooting for the last three-and-a-half months so I be around Taimur.”

The actor, who didn’t shy away from public appearances during pregnancy, is a hands-on mom of a 17-month-old, who is already a star. She appreciated Saif’s parenting skills, and added, “It takes two to tango. It takes two to make a child, and we need to share the load and responsibility. Of course what a mother can do, a father can’t, but there are a lot of things that a father can bring to a table that probably a mother can’t. And, if we are lucky to have that support, I should use it to the fullest.”

Stating that Taimur loves his time with his mother, Kareena said, “I think his mother spoils him because I’m always giving him the warmth. His father is teaching him to play cricket. So there are things that we both try to balance. When I’m doing a film, Saif tries to be around and vice versa.”

The actor, who is gearing up for her next release, Veere Di Wedding, feels she’s able to manage her personal and professional life with ease because of real-life inspirations. “Women in every field are two steps ahead of men. By nature, women know how to multi-task. Mere khud ki mother-in-law (actor Sharmila Tagore) ko hi dekh lo; pichhle 50 saal se kaam kar rahi hain. She has been an epitome of elegance and grace; so I think women today are taking inspiration from fellow women,” she said.

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