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As an entrepreneur and a parent, I am
often asked about work-life balance.
I tend to think of parenting as an art
– it is subjective and varies with every
parent-child equation. There's no one way of
doing it, and each one's expression is equally
valid. At the same time, life has taught me
that when you have your priorities sorted out,
choices become easier and decision-making
becomes a less time-taking process.
Gone are the days when parents were
authority figures more than anything else, and
there was a strict hierarchy is the household
that was followed by all. The new generation
of children born in the late nineties and in the
21st century – an entire brigade of very 'techsavvy'
kids – are smarter and more aware than
their counterparts of the old era. And now that
children have evolved to this stage, I think the
parent-child relation has followed suit.
Take, for example, my own teenage
daughter. I have always been more of a friend
to her rather than trying to exercise rigid
control. We openly communicate and I have
moulded our relationship in such a manner
that today, my daughter can come and discuss
any matter under the sky with me. At the same
time, I also make an effort to have her involved
in matters related to my work and personal life
to whatever extent possible so that it is a two-way communication path.
When it comes to control, discipline and
rules, the most appropriate method I have
discovered is not through
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stringent dos and
don'ts but through setting an example. The
foundation of discipline is built inside one's
home and children will emulate their parents
first. I see a lot of parents who exercise the 'no
means no' rule – but in my home, the 'no' is
followed by logical reasoning and that in turn
makes my daughter understand why something
in particular is not allowed. It also gives her
a chance to analyse how adults think and to
differentiate between right and wrong. And,
of course, the biggest reward for this whole
process is that there are no lingering hard
feelings or sense of injustice.
At a time when crime against children is
increasingly coming to light and statistics have
begun to narrate horrific stories, concerned
parents must realise that being a good friend
to your child is far more important than being
a strict disciplinarian or doting parent. If your
child cannot approach you in his or her time of
need, then what good are all the extra trophies,
high marks or designer clothes? Open channels
of communication are the most precious gifts
you can give your child. Let's not neglect this
most basic of parenting skills while pushing
them to perform better and better.
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