Gautami Kapoor says she and husband Ram are ‘totally okay’ if their children bring partners home: ‘The more we restrict them, they start getting into stuff…’

Gautami Kapoor and Ram Kapoor with their kids Sia and Aks. (Pic: Ram/Instagram)

Does a liberal parenting style help build more trust and transparency?

Subhash HJ, counsellor and mental health educator, Vasavi Hospitals, Bengaluru, shared that he witnesses many parents often spending more time worrying about what’s happening in their children’s lives than having open conversations with them. “It’s far easier and more peaceful to have an open conversation than to wonder and crib, ‘Oh! My child doesn’t tell me anything’. Instead, if you trust them and communicate openly, you won’t be surprised one day…!”

According to the expert, many youngsters go through the challenging phase of confiding in their parents about relationships and life choices. “This strains their relationships with parents and puts them through guilt of hiding it,” he said.

Liberal parenting helps your children by allowing them to talk about their relationships with you without any inhibitions. “It boosts a healthy ‘sense of self’ which is important in maintaining emotional balance and healthy relationships. Children who feel accepted and trusted by their parents often handle future life stressors and future relationships better,” shared Subhash.

He also stressed that it’s worth appreciating Gautami’s use of gender-neutral words such as ‘partner’, which sounds very inclusive of children with different sexual orientations. “By modeling Gautami’s approach, we can demonstrate a safe space for our children, one where they not just open up about their relationships and life but stay confident and also seek support when needed,” said Subhash.