Baby's Day Out Raises The Question Of How Many Kids To Have

Female Gaze

- SANDHYA MENDONCA

The world has watched in various degrees of astonishment the latest antics of not Trump but Musk. Not only did he take his four-year-old to a press conference at the Oval Office, but he also took a few more of his 12 kids to a meeting with our very own Prime Minister when he visited the US. What exactly was he signaling? His soft, sensitive side? That he's a doting dad who can't be parted from his brood even while interacting with heads of state?

As a busy working journalist I juggled child care duties and even with the most supportive parents and husband, there were a few times when I had to take my kid to work. My colleagues including the martyred Gauri Lankesh used to babysit while I punched out stories. On a memorable occasion, I had to take my toddler along to interview Gary Lawyer. I also had to use his bathroom to change the child's diaper. To his credit, Gary was unfazed.