Masala Memoirs
Meet the Mama: Purvi Patel
The Journey: From Sugarcane Fields to Structured Playdates
Purvi Patel was born in Bardoli, Gujarat—a town known for its iconic sugarcane factory and sweet rhythm of life. She moved to the United States in 2002 after marriage and remembers being struck by how clean and structured everything felt when she landed. Her transition into American life was swift and grounded in family, with her husband and mother-in-law by her side as she navigated pregnancy, motherhood, and a full-time job.
Pregnancy & Baby Days: Tradition Meets Trust
Her son was born in the U.S., and her biggest pregnancy craving? Spicy food.
She relied heavily on her mother-in-law’s knowledge when it came to feeding her young child. “Khichdi (traditional Indian rice and lentil porridge) was our go-to,” she says. There were no conflicts between pediatric advice and traditional practices—both coexisted peacefully in her household.
Raising a Child in Two Worlds
Raising a child in the U.S. after growing up in India gave Purvi a front-row seat to the contrasts between the two cultures—especially when it came to parenting. In India, family support feels like a warm, ever-present village; relatives are always around to lend a hand, offer advice, or simply be company. In the U.S., though, the experience is more contained and independent. She relied on her husband and mother-in-law during her son’s early years, but the surrounding community felt more distant.
She found herself adapting to a more structured way of life—where daycare wasn’t just an option but almost a necessity, and where playtime wasn’t spontaneous but scheduled through playdates. These concepts felt foreign at first, but soon became part of her parenting rhythm. Mealtimes and routines, however, remained steady and predictable, echoing the structure of her own upbringing in India.
Food Philosophy: Simple, Spicy, and Strong on Tradition
Food habits, too, became a blend of both worlds. While formula feeding isn't the cultural norm in India, Purvi chose it for her son without hesitation, finding that blending traditional knowledge with modern options gave her the flexibility she needed. Through it all, one thing remained unchanged: family time. Whether it was shared over dinner or built into a weekend routine, it remained the anchor of their home life—fluid enough to adapt to American school schedules, yet rooted deeply in the values she grew up with.
Nutrition is front and center in Purvi’s kitchen. She strongly believes that a traditional diet is best for children, and she’s thoughtful about ensuring meals are balanced and nourishing. “As long as it’s homemade and wholesome, I’m happy,” she says.
The Patel family shares a love for Italian food, and surprisingly, there isn’t a major difference in what the adults and children enjoy at mealtimes. Eating out is limited—just three to four times a month—and while she’s okay with her son enjoying food outside, she still gently nudges him toward home-cooked meals.
Kitchen Culture: Who Cooks, Who Eats, Who Decides?
Purvi is the primary cook in her home and isn’t overly concerned about whether her son learns to cook. “It’s not essential,” she says pragmatically. “What matters is that he’s healthy and mindful.”
The family follows a vegetarian diet—a decision she holds firm on. “It’s not a struggle here,” she notes about living in the U.S. “But I don’t want him eating meat, so it’s not something we debate.”
Closing the Tiffin: A Final Bite
From Bardoli’s sugar-scented streets to a life built in structured American suburbs, Purvi Patel’s story is one of calm conviction. Her parenting is shaped by both tradition and trust, her food by simplicity and spice. For Purvi, being a mother in America hasn’t meant choosing one culture over another—but rather, folding them together into something entirely her own.