No Perfect Playbook: Embracing the Realities of Parenting
I have a dear friend who’s a passionate cricket enthusiast, but watching a match with him can be nerve-wracking. He critiques every move, every decision the captain and players make. Yet he’s never played a game himself.
Another friend of mine, who nearly made it to the Ranji Trophy, finds this frustrating. He once said, “It’s easy to shout from the pavilion; step onto the field, and you’ll see there’s so much you can’t understand from up there.” As I heard them argue it dawned to me that, Parenting is a similar journey.
Growing up, we watched our parents, observed others, and formed ideas based on what we saw in our neighborhoods and in the media, we ranted, fought, critcised our parents on how they should parent. We mentally noted what worked and what didn’t, planning how we’d put on our own parenting jerseys and play it right. But once on the field, we discovered that the reality doesn’t always match the plan. Our children are not us, and despite our best efforts, we find ourselves navigating uncharted territory, at times we are our parents- controlling, restricting, micromanaging and threatening.
Friends, family, and social media may call advice from the sidelines, but we know they can’t truly understand what it’s like to be in our shoes. I’m reminded of a beautiful quote: “There is no path, my friend; the path is made as you walk.” Last weekend, I had the opportunity to speak on parenting styles at a parent wellbeing session for Ekya Schools. It was a wonderful experience, discussing how we can adapt our parenting styles to suit our unique family dynamics. As a parent of a 10 year old I firmly believe this is possible with the right support and willingness to learn and unlearn. I’m grateful to the school management for recognizing the importance of this topic and creating a space for parents to share concerns and learn from each other. Amrita Sateesh thank you for inviting me to this event.
I encourage more educational institutions to take an active role in partnering with parents to help create thriving family enviroments. By working together, schools and families can create a supportive environment that fosters the wellbeing of children. When parents and educators come together with empathy and understanding, we can navigate the challenges of parenting and create a brighter future for our kids. Investing in healthy families is one of the most impactful ways to shape a generation of confident, resilient adults.
If you are a parent or otherwise; and if you have aced the parenting game or otherwise; would love to hear from you: Parenting Styles