Mom with 2 Kids Returns to India After 6 Years in US: Entrepreneur Journey to Pune
Mani left her Mumbai career to move to the US when her son was just 8 months old. After 6 years in New Jersey, concerns about aging parents and the desire to settle down brought the family back to Pune. Now she's an entrepreneur with 200K Facebook followers.
In this story
Mani's journey from Mumbai career woman to US stay-at-home mom to Indian entrepreneur—and how her 7-year-old son went from crying at the airport to saying "I love Pune."
Key Insights from This Story
- 6 years in New Jersey with two children
- Son moved at 8 months, returned at age 7
- Younger son born July 4th (American Independence Day!)
- Internal transfer solved the job challenge
- Cambridge board chosen for smoother school transition
- Now entrepreneur with 200K Facebook followers
The Mumbai Beginning
Mani and her husband were a typical working couple in Mumbai, hustling with the city, the local trains, and spending hours in travel to offices.
The Daily Grind
- Left home at 7 AM
- Returned by 7 PM
- 12 hours away from home daily
- Baby with nanny all day
- Constant "mom guilt"
The Decision to Move
When their son was 8 months old, Mani's husband got an on-site opportunity in the US.
Despite her career commitment, Mani surprised everyone:
Her company agreed to take her back at the same position whenever she returned.
Life in the US
The family moved to New Jersey and spent 6 years there.
Initial Challenges
- First few months: Very lonely
- Summers: Good—road trips, going out
- Winters: "House arrested" due to harsh New Jersey weather
- Feeling unproductive: "What am I doing? Just taking care of the kid, nothing else"
What She Loved About the US
- Independence and infrastructure
- Road trips during summers
- Son's school teachers and therapists—"so good, so generous, so kind"
- Visited India twice in first 2 years (sister's and sister-in-law's weddings)
⚠️ Son's Speech Delay
By age 3, their son wasn't speaking. They were very worried.
- Got him into early intervention
- Received therapy
- By age 3.5-4, he started speaking
- Evaluated for autism spectrum—thankfully everything was fine
- He just "blossomed very late"
Note: People in India said it was because "there's nobody to interact with in the US, no family." Mani didn't fully believe this—she felt there had to be biological reasons too.
The Trigger Points
The decision to return wasn't sudden—it built up over time.
The Lingering Thought
Every Indian living abroad has this thought in the back of their mind:
COVID Impact
- Parents alone in India during pandemic
- Calling them 3-4 times a day to check if they're okay
- Even a little sneeze caused panic
- Husband is the only son—parents were elderly and alone
The "Sitting on the Fence" Dilemma
After COVID, they noticed:
- Friends buying houses
- Friends buying properties
- Friends moving into independent houses
Meanwhile, they were stuck:
- Couldn't buy a house in the US
- Couldn't go back to India
- Spent 2 years sitting on the fence
The Financial Reality
A common concern for NRIs:
The July 4th Baby
In 2021, Mani conceived. In July 2022, her younger son was born on July 4th—American Independence Day!
Friends joked: "You guys are supposed to be here since your younger one was born on Independence Day!"
But the family had already made up their minds after COVID in 2021—they were going back to India.
Job Transition Challenges
Finding a job in India while sitting in the US proved difficult.
The Struggle
- Tried for 6 months to get interview calls
- Out of 5 applications, only 1 would go through to interview
- Companies don't take you seriously when you're applying from abroad
- Even considered going jobless and starting from scratch
💡 The Solution: Internal Transfer
Eventually, the husband got an internal shift within his company.
They were given a choice of location—North India or any city of their choice.
They chose Pune.
Why Pune?
- Originally from Northern India but didn't want to go there
- Had lived in Mumbai—liked Maharashtra's work culture
- Didn't want the hustle-bustle of a metro like Mumbai
- Pune: "Perfect combination of a big town and a small town"
- Comforts of small town + luxuries of big town
- Climate: Cooler than many other places
Move Logistics
Mani shares practical tips from their move experience.
What They Packed
- Packed 6 years of life into 8 suitcases
- Did NOT bring electronics (regret this now)
- Did NOT use cargo shipping
- Just clothes and essentials
⚠️ What They Wish They'd Brought
| Item | US Price | India Price |
|---|---|---|
| 75-inch TV | $200-300 (Black Friday) | ₹1.5 lakhs for 65-inch |
| Coach bags | $100-120 on sale | Super expensive |
| Michael Kors bags | Affordable on sale | Very expensive |
| Kids' toys | High quality available | Quality differs significantly |
Tip: Even after customs duty and shipping, electronics from the US are often cheaper than buying in India.
What Others Brought
Friends who shipped via cargo brought:
- Furniture (most economical via ship)
- Cardboard slides for kids
- Quality toys not available in India
- Branded items
Kids' Adjustment
This was Mani's biggest worry—and the most emotional part of the journey.
The Airport Moment
At the airport, her 7-year-old son said:
Mani asked: "Which home?"
Mani burst into tears. For that little boy, the US was his home—and he had to leave it.
Initial Challenges
- Day 2: Mosquito bit him. He cried: "Why so many bugs in India? I want to go back to USA—there are no bugs there!"
- This was the only thing that "bugged" him initially
The Transformation
8 months later, the same boy says:
Even when visiting grandparents, he asks: "When are we going back to Pune?"
Why He Adjusted Well
- Got him at the right age—7 years old
- Not old enough to have deep knowledge of "worldly things"
- Chose the right school (Cambridge board)
- Teachers are considerate
- Good balance of academics and extracurriculars
- He's happy—that's what matters most
Language Challenge
The son still cannot speak Hindi—only English with a total American accent.
- 8 months in India, still lagging in Hindi
- Parents talk to him in Hindi
- He understands but responds in English
- Mani feels: "That's fine—he's been so brave and transitioned so smoothly"
School Board Selection
Choosing the right school board was crucial for a smooth transition.
Why NOT CBSE/ICSE
- Son had done Pre-K through Grade 1 in the US
- CBSE/ICSE would be too aggressive academically
- Difficult to cope with sudden change in structure
Why NOT IB Board
- IB is more activity-oriented
- Perfect for those planning to go back to the US
- But they plan to stay in India
- After 12th, son will face Indian competition
- Needs some academic grounding
Why Cambridge Board
Cambridge board is the "middle path":
- Balance between academics and extracurriculars
- Has some CBSE/ICSE curriculum elements
- Has extracurricular focus like IB
- 12th board affiliated to UK/Cambridge
- Kids are equipped for competitive exams if needed
- Smoother transition from US curriculum
Entrepreneur Journey
Mani didn't return to a traditional job—she became an entrepreneur.
The Background
- As H4 spouse, couldn't work in the US
- Always had the drive to do something on her own
- In 2020, started a Facebook page about kids' activities
- Focus: Fine motor, gross motor, cognitive skills
- Page grew to 30K in 6 months
- Now a group of 200K followers
The Perfect Setup
Mani planned her return carefully:
- Husband: Works remotely from home
- Mani: Runs business from home
- School: 5 minutes away, bus comes to building
- Full-time maid: Help with household
- No traffic commute for anyone
India's Convenience Advantage
- Zomato, Swiggy: Food delivery at doorstep
- Everything delivered: Pin to plane in 5 minutes
- No wasting time at grocery stores
- Full-time house help available
Settling Down
The family moved fast to establish roots.
Timeline
- Arrived: Moved into rental apartment
- Within 1 month: Started house hunting
- Bought apartment: In the same building as rental!
- Interior work: Customized everything
- Puja planned: 21st of the month
The Mindset Shift
In the US, there was always uncertainty (especially on H1B):
- Always in doubt
- Didn't want to live in uncertainty
- Wanted to settle down
- Get own house, deck it up, get a car—"that's how we settle"
Advice for NRI Parents
Move When Kids Are Young
Move when kids are in early years—it's easier on everyone. Once they become 10-12+ (teenagers), there will be cultural shock and questions you won't have answers to.
Coming Back is Not Punishment
Many think returning to India will lower their standard of living. It's all about how you create your life. With family nearby, festivals, common culture—there's a lot to enjoy.
Plan Your Lifestyle
If you can work remotely, have school nearby, and get household help—India can be 100 times better than the US.
Choose the Right School Board
For US-return kids, Cambridge board offers a good middle ground between academic rigor and activity focus.
Key Takeaways
Mani's Journey Summary
- Mom guilt drove the initial US move
- 6 years in New Jersey with two sons
- COVID and parent concerns triggered return decision
- Internal transfer solved the job challenge
- Pune chosen for work culture and balance
- Cambridge board for smoother school transition
- 7-year-old adjusted within months
- Entrepreneur with 200K followers
- Bought house within months of arrival
Planning Your Return with Kids?
Connect with other NRI parents who have navigated school transitions and kids' adjustment. Share experiences and learn from each other.
Ready to Plan Your Family's Return?
Get guidance on school selection, kids' adjustment, and creating the right lifestyle in India.
Have questions about kids' adjustment or school boards? Drop them in the comments!
Social Life in India
8 months in, Mani admits her personal social life is still developing.
Current Status
The Positives
The Halloween Story
Mani's son loves Halloween. She approached the cultural committee:
They agreed! She organized trick-or-treat with 250 kids—more than she ever saw in the US!
Kids knew everything about trick-or-treat from TV exposure, even without visiting the US.