‘I really want her to like me’: When Priyanka Chopra Jonas said she hopes daughter Malti Marie takes after her, is ‘proud’ of her choices

Do children tend to grow apart in their teenage years?

“Teenagers’ brains are wired to seek independence, take risks, and figure out who they are, but deep down, they’re looking for a space where they’re not judged, just heard. When parents become that space, teens open up more, make better choices, and walk through life with more confidence,” said Rima Bhandekar, Psychologist, Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, further sharing how parents can navigate this shift and maintain a close bond with their children.

Priyanka Chopra along with her daughter Malti Marie (Source: Instagram/@priyankachopra)

Mistakes that drive kids away

According to Bhandekar, one of the common mistakes parents make is reacting emotionally to a child’s mistakes. “If the parents’ first response is always annoyance or sermon mode, teens slowly stop coming to you. Instead, take a breath, and say calmly, ‘Let’s think this over and talk about this later nicely.’ It works better than a shouting match,” she said.

The psychologist pointed out that your child’s brain is growing and needs space to think, choose, and sometimes fail to learn essential life lessons. “It’s natural to want to control everything ‘for their good,’ but teens crave individuality. If they’re used to being heard by parents, making their own choices, and being respected as individuals, they won’t likely need to rebel to find their voice,” she added.

Bhandekar reiterated that it is not about letting go of discipline but about letting teenagers explain the reasons behind certain things that matter to them and finding a compromise.

How can you bridge the gap?

According to Bhandekar, these three strategies can help you bond with your kid and bring them closer:

· Share quality time over a walk, car ride, or bedtime chat. Just have a lighthearted chat —about cricket, movies, memes, or food. Instead of jumping in with advice, try asking, “What do you think would help?” to earn their respect.

· Let them teach you something. Ask them how to use an app, play a game, or understand a trend. They’ll feel proud—and connected.

· Celebrate effort, not just results. Instead of saying “Why not X%?”, try “You worked hard—I saw that.” Teaching them a growth mindset matters more than you might think.