Imran Battla wears two demanding hats: office manager of a bustling pediatric practice and proud new father to a 7-month-old daughter. In this candid Q&A, he opens up about the daily balancing act, emotional surprises of fatherhood, and the small strategies that help him stay grounded.
Whether you’re managing a team, a toddler, or both, we appreciate any reflections that offer practical insight—and a few life hacks—for navigating it all. Feel free to reply back with any hacks you’ve come across!
Q: Can you describe a typical day in your role as an office manager at Tier Pediatrics while also being a new father?
A: At the office, I’m juggling appointment coordination, staff schedules, insurance follow-ups, and problem-solving. I check in on my daughter via photos or short WhatsApp video breaks if possible. I keep meetings tight and block time for focused work to avoid spillover. Evenings are reserved for bath time, feedings, and a walk with the stroller. Once she’s asleep, I sometimes catch up on work, but I try to be fully present until bedtime.
Q: What are some of the major time commitments involved in running a busy pediatric office?
A: Patient scheduling is nonstop, especially during this summer break to meet school and athlete physical requirements. Soon there will be back-to-school stuff and the not-so-fun flu season to deal with. Insurance issues eat up hours: claims, denials, re-verifications. I also handle vendor communications, payroll reviews, and compliance updates. Emergencies (tech issues, parent complaints) throw off even the best-planned day.
These demands mean I’m rarely “off the clock,” so I’ve learned to draw a hard line at 5:30 p.m. unless there’s a true emergency. Home life starts then, and I’ve come to protect that time more fiercely.
Q: How do you manage the pull to come home and witness the growth of your daughter?
A: It’s a constant ache—missing a “first” while troubleshooting a scheduling glitch hurts more than I expected. I’ve set firm daily rituals: I always try to be present during the morning feed and bedtime routine. I also sync calendars with my wife and block off pediatrician visits or milestones like introducing solids.
I accept that I can’t be everywhere, but I make the moments I am there count. I’ve learned to shut out non-urgent work distractions once I’m home and to keep weekends tech-free as much as possible.
Q: As your daughter approaches her first birthday, what developmental stages are you most excited or anxious about?
A: She’s starting to pull herself up, and I can already feel the chaos of toddlerhood creeping in. I’m thrilled for her first steps, first words—but I’m also anxious about safety, sleep regressions, and juggling sick days. I want to capture every moment—those wobbly first steps, her discovering her voice—but I also worry about being mentally present enough to appreciate them while juggling adult responsibilities. Each stage feels like a mini goodbye to the last one.
Q: Have there been any surprises or unexpected challenges you’ve faced as a new dad?
A: I didn’t expect the emotional overload. The exhaustion is physical, but the emotional whiplash—from total joy to anxiety about her health or development—is next level. On the flip side, the tiny wins—like her gripping my thumb for the first time—feel cosmic. Also surprising: how many baby wipes I now consider essential in the car, office, and every drawer.
Q: What life hacks have you discovered that help you balance your responsibilities at work and home?
- Shared Google Calendar: Everything’s on it—from immunizations to staff one-on-ones.
- Meal Prep Sundays: Cook once, eat for five days. Saves money and weeknight stress.
- Drive-time Podcasts: I use commutes for learning or winding down—no wasted time.
- Batching Tasks: I do admin work in 90-minute blocks instead of reacting to every ping.
- White Noise App + Baby Monitor: I monitor while finishing admin tasks after bedtime without stressing about every sound.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your daughter’s first year and beyond?
A: I hope she grows up knowing love, not just in words, but in routines, in protection, in presence. I want her to see resilience: how her parents manage stress, treat others, and show up. I hope she’s curious, kind, and bold. For year one, I hope she stays healthy, starts talking, and laughs a lot. Long term? I want her to be grounded in faith, surrounded by family, and never afraid to ask big questions. I’m building structure now so she can thrive later.
