Motherhood is the most rewarding experience ever - Genelia D'souza

Tinseltown's cutest mom Genelia D Souza has started stepping out after delivering baby Riaan last year in November. Attending her first media event, the actress was all smiles and even showed off her svelte figure sans any visible baby fat. We got into a tete-a-tete with Bollywood's most adorable mommy to know more about her little one Riaan.

Are you a hands-on mom?

Oh yes absolutely. Riaan is just three months old now and this is the time when he needs me the most. So I have to be around him most times and I am absolutely loving it. Becoming a mother is the most rewarding thing. It makes you realise the things that your mother did for you. It makes you thank your own mother.

Do your in-laws and own mother offer you any mothering tips?

Oh yes. They all do and I listen to it as well. They are also constantly with my son. But finally both my in-laws and my own mother want me to take care of Riaan more and be my own mom.

How is Riteish as a father?

He is a great father. Infact, when I was pregnant, he would say it's not you but we who are pregnant. This coming of age thought in husbands is a great thing. When you start enjoying the pregnancy and start enjoying the delivery together, you automatically start enjoying the responsibilities. From changing diapers to giving a bath to sitting up nights with me Riteish has done it all.

So can we say that the experience of Hey Baby is now coming into play?

(Laughs) Yeah. Riteish has always been good with kids and I am thankful for having such a good husband.

Do you think paternity leave should be legalised?

Yes, I think so. A father should as much be involved as a mother. It's a shared responsibility. Riteish had taken an off for 20 days to be with me and Riaan.

Who would you like Riaan to be when he grows up?

We haven't thought about it that far. But we would like him to be whatever he wants to be. No pressure absolutely.

Are you missing the limelight?

Not at all. Although I would like to get back and have just started stepping out, I have no regrets and nor am I in a hurry. I am enjoying this phase.

How has motherhood changed you as a person?

That's a tough question to answer. When I got married, people used to ask how has marriage changed me and I had no answer. Similarly, I have no answer to this question as well. All that is important is to maintain one's individuality and be your own self. I would like Riaan to grow up and know that his mother is the bubbly, happy-go-lucky person.

We see celeb moms taking special care to protect their kids from paparazzi. What steps would you take?

Riaan is still young and it will be sometime before we step out in public with him. But I think we would be okay with our son getting clicked.