This time, we took a special interview of much known fashion celebrity Juju Haider, who is a good mother and perfect stylist; here she shared the prized memories that splurge with her family…
- What’s your first memory?
My first memory is of growing up in Saudi Arabia, where I had the best childhood ever.
- How did your parents meet?
It was arranged marriage. My father’s family lived in Karachi but his father was working in Rawalpindi. My mother’s family and my Dada were neighbors.
- Tell us about your childhood home?
Like I said, I grew up in the Middle East. My parents and I along with my younger siblings and Dadi lived together, while my elder sister lived Oxford with my aunt. We had a lot of extended family also living in Saudi and a great bunch of friends. It was always a house filled with people and great energy!
- How do you celebrate holidays with your family?
We all get together and start making fun of each other the minute we sit down! Great food and gossip is always a part of the equation. When we were younger going away to the mountains was something we always did whenever visiting Pakistan.
- Tell us about the day your first child was born?
Becoming a mother and holding your baby in your arms is one of the most surreal experiences of my life! It was incredible! But the day my daughter, Naimal, was born was a bit of a shocker for us all since we were waiting for a baby boy! Everything was already prepared, name, room, clothes…And out pops baby Naimal! My sister-in-law ran around like a headless chicken trying to find baby girl clothes!
- What do you prefer for your kids to choose best for their future, either the field in which you are working currently or any other?
I want my kids to do whatever they want in life. It’s important for people to love what they do, so forcing children to do what you want is unfair!
- What is more beneficial to spend a happily life….Love or arrange marriage?
Marriage is a gamble….it doesn’t matter if it’s arranged or if it’s a love marriage.
- Describe a typical family dinner. Did you all eat together as a family? Who did the cooking? What were your favorite foods?
Everyone in my family would sit together for dinner. There was no way we could eat in front of the TV! My mother would always cook unless we were having aloo kay paratay, then my grandmother took over.
- How is the world today different from what it was like when you were a child?
I had a very happy and protected childhood. Words like suicide bomber and terrorist attacks were not part of our vocabulary. It’s a scary and uncertain world we live in… I wish i could of given my children the kind of childhood i grew up with! Having said that, I believe my children are blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people in the form of family and friends.
“Becoming a mother and holding your baby in your arms is one of the most surreal experiences of my life! It was incredible…”
