At a recent event organised for young mothers, actor Bhagyashree shared her two cents on what she has “learnt through life” about parenting kids and teenagers. “My children mean the world to me and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them but, if I truly did that I would not be a good mom. Children need to be taught to be independent, to learn through mistakes they make, to rise up when they fall, to grow through adversities and help others who cannot,” the actor said while speaking at the event.
Bhagyashree said that while we hold kids’ fingers when they learn to walk, parents also need to learn to let go so that kids can run. “Love doesn’t come through need, just as caring is never protection enough,” she captioned the Instagram post with the video of her speech.
Rima Bhandekar, psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, told that good parenting is all about striking the right balance between guiding and being overprotective.
“As parents, it is quite natural to feel like your child needs protection and shelter all the time, but teaching them to be independent and letting them learn through the mistakes they make can help raise emotionally intelligent and capable children,” she said. According to her, supportive parenting is the way to go, echoing what said in her video. “It is all about asking your child what they want to be, without adding “you should” right after,” Bhandekar said.
Supportive parenting is one of the strongest predictors of a child confidently choosing their own career, even if it diverges from parental legacy or societal expectations. Such parents create space for their children to explore what truly feels right by offering resources, encouragement, and emotional stability, while withholding judgement tied to tradition, social status, prestige, or money.
This doesn’t mean parents shy away from discussing real-world concerns. Instead, they guide their children through a process of critical evaluation, communicating trust, respect, and confidence in their ability to make informed decisions.
Bhandekar noted that such an approach helps children understand that their self-worth isn’t dependent on fulfilling someone else’s dream, but on pursuing their own passion. As a result, they are better equipped to face setbacks and persist through challenges.
“They are more likely to stand firm in their choices, thanks to the nurturing space created by parents who value who they are—not just what they achieve. They pursue careers with purpose, not just to secure any available job. They grow into adults who work with zeal, not out of obligation to others,” she explained.
According to Bhandekar, active listening is a crucial part of effective parenting. “Listen to understand their views, not to redirect or fix. Be curious about what excites them, and support their explorations, stumbles, and changes as they figure things out,” she said. Having faith in your child’s career choice is vital, even if you don’t fully understand it yourself.
“Let their failure be a learning point, not the end of the story – the definition of success is different for everyone, and comparison doesn’t always help,” said the psychologist. According to Bhandekar, a content child is more successful than a stressed one. “Your child’s future isn’t always about living your legacy; it’s about creating their own,” she said.
