Follow no rules for parenting
Parenting is a very personal experience. Instead of following a rule book, one should rely on their gut feeling, say experts
No matter whether you are an oblivious millennial parent-to-be, or a parent of a toddler, questions like 'How will I take care of my child', 'How will that affect my career', 'How will I balance work and home' are always present in the back of your mind, and make you sceptical about 'parenting'.
To get a clearer view of a mother's perspective towards parenting, Millennium Post got in touch with Maria Goretti, who is currently hosting the chat show '9 Months Season 4'.
Maria feels that none of us have a bible of parenting. And therefore, we follow our gut instinct. "However, talking to other parents and taking their opinion might be of help in certain situations," she says adding, "It is in such cases where shows like these come to the rescue and provide an entirely new perspective. It's a good way to address issues which all of us might face at certain points in our lives as parents," she continues.
Kavya Thakur, a single mother shares that she finds it difficult to deal with her 10-year-old son who is very mischievous. Thakur has to come up with new ways to keep the child's behaviour in regulation. On the other hand, Shefali Aggarwal, a mother of two introvert daughters, has a different set of challenges to deal with. "They don't share things easily and hence, I have to behave like a friend to make them comfortable," she states.
Hosting a parenting show, Maria believes that there are different kinds of parents – some have a very military style of parenting in which everything has to be done according to a time table, while there few others who give space and liberty to the child to decide for himself/herself.
Rashmi, a housewife, reveals that when she conceived, all the family members wanted her to quit her corporate career. Though at that time she agreed, after a few years, it started bothering her.
That raises another question as to whether women should quit their careers, to look after their child? To which, Maria disagrees. "I don't think a working woman should quit her job. I am sure there will be a phase when she would want to sit at home because the child needs attention, but that should be completely her choice," she explains. "I know a lot of working women who have brought up well-mannered children. So, work does,'t affect your child's upbringing in any way."
Towards the end, Maria denies sharing any suggestions for new parents. According to her, being a parent is a very personal experience. "I would just say take as it comes and try and be a good parent."
