Vikas Ranganathan
Vikas heads the Business Data Office at Bank of America Securities, which seeks to curate and manage high-quality data sets for trading and sales. Vikas lives in London with his partner Sneha and 2-year-old daughter.
What does your normal working day look like?
I tend to handle the mornings, when my wife can exercise and take early calls, and she covers the evenings when I work later and gym. This works as she covers Asia and Europe, and I cover Europe & Americas. We swap according to our social/work commitments.
06:00 - Wake up, shower and prep the kitchen for the day (clear dishwasher, prep lunch boxes and start preparing breakfast)
07:00 - Wake up and freshen up daughter and read books/play puzzles
08:00 - Complete and serve breakfast with my daughter's help.
09:00 - Clean up, pack lunches and coffees. Finally, get ready for the day and possibly do the remaining chores (laundry, watering plants)
09:30 - Nanny arrives, and I head to work. Luckily, my commute is only 35 mins, so I usually get in for around 10:15-30.
19:00 - Return home, say quick goodnight to daughter
19:30 - Exercise if possible (Peloton or building gym)
20:00 - Dinner and log back in to check Americas emails and clear work
22:00 - Sleep
How long have you had this routine?
Since COVID lockdown ended and we returned to the office (4 days a week)
How has it changed as your children have gotten older or as your family has grown?
We incorporate her more into our daily routines as she entertains herself and wants to help and mimic her parents.
What boundaries have you set around your work, and how did you work with your colleagues to enable them?
I block my diary until 10:30 and 18:00-20:00. I tend to work flexibly on weekends to stay on top of work, but still have plenty of time with the family on both days.
What are the most important things for you to get right to have a successful day?
Prep, exercise, and ensure a full night's sleep.
Switching to weekends, what are the most important things to get right to have an excellent weekend day?
Prep, lots of time outside as a family, and eating out to minimize the stress of cooking and to add variety.
How do you "turn off work" and give the kids your full attention?
Don’t look at phones, either personal or work. If someone really needs me, they can call me, but my colleagues know my boundaries, so it’s rare.
Do you have anything that works particularly well in your childcare situation?
Yes, a brilliant nanny and grandparents that don’t live far when we need time for ourselves.
What has been the most impactful thing you've done to save time / energy in your family?
Cancel the gym (exercise at home takes 45mins instead of 2 hrs at the local gym) and a short commute (by London standards).
What have been the most impactful things that you've automated or outsourced in your family?
Cleaning robots (hover & mop) and irrigating plants (outdoor and indoor). We also have a weekly cleaner.
What principles have served you best in your parenting?
Gentle parenting, following Montessori principles where possible. This means we have given our daughter roles in our daily routine, which gives her independence and teaches her to be self-sufficient. From an early age, we have also tried to describe her emotions and asked her to do the same.
When you feel overwhelmed as a parent, what do you do?
Typically I feel overwhelmed when she has a tantrum, but I usually try to take a deep breath, stay calm and recognize she is dealing with big emotions. Occasionally we have agreed to “tap out” for the other partner if the situation is too much.
What is your approach to screen time?
Reserved for long journeys and when ill.
How do you set and follow through with 'consequences'?
Try to set consequences that are naturally linked to behavior, which makes it easier to follow through, i.e. I don’t want my food => ok, the food is gone, you can eat at the next meal.
Is there a primary parent in your household, or do you split the parenting evenly?
Split evenly, I usually cover the mornings, and my wife covers the evenings. This leads to a natural division of labour during the day. Household chores are also split evenly, but we don’t make lists; we discuss on a weekly basis and cover what is needed depending on workloads.
What is your process for updating your parenting model as a child's needs or a parent's needs change?
No formal process, just iterative as needed. We are learning as she grows.
What is your most life-changing parenting purchase under $100?
Kitchen learning tower, as it has let her get involved in household activities such as cooking and cleaning from a young age. The Yoto player is a close second as naps transition to quiet time.
What is your top trick for making it through flights?
We’ve done a number of short and long-haul flights. Our key is to prep - we have a carry-on packed with plenty of snacks, games and books to keep her entertained. Always feed on take-off and landing to avoid tears. We also relax the routine when flying and try and go with the flow. A couple of experiences of spending many hours pacing the aisles trying to get her to sleep has taught us that a tired child will eventually fall asleep unless it turns into a battle of wills.
What book has been most influential for you as a parent?
The Montessori Toddler - Our daughter had bad allergies that made her averse to feeding and sleep routines. This led to her resisting many everyday activities, such as meal times and naps. The book helped us give her a significant degree of control and self-sufficiency and, in turn made her a happier child and much more willing to engage in our family routines.
What piece of advice do you give to all new parents? What advice should they ignore?
It’s ok to ask for support and take it when it’s offered. Agree on boundaries with those who support you so both of you feel respected. Invest in the best possible childcare you can reasonably afford; mental health is important.