Kunal Kemmu details his ‘very old school’ parenting style: ‘I don’t want to hear what you have to say…’

The Madgaon Express director further added, “The way we are going, they’ll be telling us exactly what to eat. We are so in tune with, ‘What do you feel?’ I’m like, ‘You’re not supposed to ask them, why are you asking her, she doesn’t know anything. But I’m learning, and I’m the baby in this relationship.”

Decoding his parenting style

Kemmu’s traditional parenting style dismisses a child’s emotional needs, but the actor is slowly warming to the idea of taking his kid’s feelings into account and communicating with her accordingly. His example highlights a growing need for parents, especially father figures, to embrace emotional intelligence and maturity and let it influence their parenting style.

Parenting isn’t about bluntly stating every fact it’s about being thoughtfully honest in ways that protect both trust and emotional wellbeing. (Source: Instagram/@kunalkemmu)

Gurleen Baruah, existential psychotherapist at That Culture Thing, told indianexpress.com that emotional maturity and life experience influence parenting the same way they shape any other area of life — because parenting is fundamentally about the people making decisions, reacting, and guiding their children.

“When emotional maturity is present, it means a parent is better equipped to understand their own triggers, regulate emotions, and avoid passing unresolved struggles onto their child. They can self-soothe rather than react impulsively, making decisions that come from a place of wisdom rather than emotional overwhelm,” she shared.

Life experiences, when processed thoughtfully, add depth — helping parents see situations with perspective, handle responsibilities calmly, and teach children how to manage challenges through example. The journey of parenting is full of ups and downs, and chasing perfection will not get parents anywhere. Baruah, therefore, suggested ditching the urge to be perfect all the time and instead focusing on self-awareness. “Pause, reflect, and create an environment of emotional safety where mistakes aren’t met with punishment but growth,” she advised.

Parenting isn’t about bluntly stating every fact; it’s about being thoughtfully honest in ways that protect both trust and emotional well-being. By simplifying explanations, tailoring them to a child’s age, correcting our own missteps, and actively celebrating honesty, we set the stage for children to grow up seeing truth as safe, respected, and valuable. The words we choose today don’t just manage the moment; they help shape the trust our children will carry into every relationship for the rest of their lives.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.