Peer pressures are on the full throttle during these years of adolescence. Children (a category they no longer fit into) are struggling with issues of identity, academics, social acceptance, and preparation for future careers that they are practically being trained to begin thinking like adults (a category they don’t fit in yet). A lot of times parents tend to expect levels of maturity that aren’t possible for adolescents to achieve. Not because they can’t, but instead because their brains haven’t reached physical and emotional maturity yet. Brain development happens at an accelerated rate during this stage of their lives. They face pressures from all aspects of their life, including their bodies which are changing drastically. With so many fast-paced changes all around them long for stability and structure while not wanting to accept it. And as a result, they begin looking all over for it. Some acceptable places, some not so much.
The only place they should ideally receive it from is home. A calm and stable-minded parental team is what will give your child the stability they require. They are at their experimental high in life, be it with habits, emotions, decisions, or behaviors. If they see resistance, they take it as a challenge to push boundaries. They will toy with it to see how far they can push those boundaries. The more resistance, the more the clash. It is at this time that they need to be reassured that
Share stories of your childhood, of struggles, and especially of failure. Share how you overcame a negative in life. Share how you turned a down-point in your student life into an opportunity to grow. How you learnt a skill or technique of tackling an otherwise stressful situation? Let your child feel that DNA allows them to conquer their world too.
They don’t carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. They aren’t responsible for the honour of the family. They are only responsible for their attitude and its outcome, be it academic, sports, and/or social outcomes. And that they should only concentrate on contributing to their all-around development.
A lot of parents underestimate the causes and fallouts of mental health issues. In most cases, family and its method of tackling unfavourable situations influence the mental health of a child. If you want your child to take a pragmatic decision in life, begin by communicating how that is done. Expecting your child to “act their age”, “think about it” or “see the logic in it” will only confuse them further. While exposure online and otherwise is causing the average child to mature in wants, it isn’t exactly preparing children for the repercussions of a bad decision. This part is still part of the parent portfolio. But you can help your child figure this out simply by being polite in your communication. When you get angry or irritated with them it pushes them towards uncertainty all the more.
When you give a presentation at work, it is an opportunity for the world to see you systematic, organized, and thought through in your work. Consider parenting as an ongoing 24 x 7 presentation. They see you live your life the way you choose to. If you get annoyed, they absorb it as the ‘norm’. If you get excited, they see it as ‘usual expectations’. If they see you get angry and screaming, they are going to grow up thinking ‘this is how one should behave.’ How you treat people around you, at work, at the grocery store, in the parking lot, hospitals, everywhere. You are the ultimate role model. And they absorb everything. So, if you want to normalize their thinking, normalize yourself first.
If you want them to fly, give them wings. If you want them to stand tall, help them plant their feet. If you want them to race, let them feel free. All in all, if you want your child to make it big in their life and make you proud… Make their presence in your life big and make them proud of you.
“At The End Of The Day, The Most Overwhelming Key To A Child’s Success Is The Positive Involvement Of Parents”.
-Jane D Hull
Heartbreak doesn't just break your heart—it can shatter your sense of identity, peace, and purpose. Whether the end was expected or abrupt, mutual or one-sided, short-lived or long-term, the aftermath often leaves people emotionally disoriented. In Indian culture, where societal expectations and family involvement in romantic relationships are prevalent, the pain is not just personal—it is public. Yet, very few are taught how to heal from emotional loss in a healthy, sustainable way.
Love, in its truest form, should be a safe space—a space where individuality is not only respected but celebrated. Yet, in many relationships, especially in the Indian cultural context, love is often misunderstood as constant availability, complete sacrifice, and putting the other person first, always. As noble as this may sound, this version of love often leads to emotional exhaustion, suppressed resentment, and the erosion of one’s identity.
Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that erodes your ability to trust your own perception. It’s a slow, insidious process that often begins with subtle doubts and ends with complete self-questioning. In romantic relationships—especially in the Indian context where silence, compromise, and duty are often mistaken for love—gaslighting can be even harder to recognize.
Depression is not just an internal struggle—it ripples outward, affecting relationships, routines, and the emotional fabric that holds people together. When someone is dealing with depression, it's not only their world that becomes dim—it can cast a shadow over their most intimate connections too. In a country like India, where open conversations about mental health are still rare and love is often equated with endurance, depression within a relationship can become invisible, misunderstood, or misjudged.
Relationships are a beautiful blend of shared experiences, emotional growth, and mutual care. But they also come with challenges—especially when one partner is struggling with their mental health. In a society like India, where mental health is still heavily stigmatized, couples often find themselves ill-equipped to handle psychological distress in their relationship.
In the complex landscape of human relationships, silence can speak louder than words. One of the most common—yet least understood—forms of emotional response is the silent treatment. Whether it comes in the form of cold shoulders, unread messages, or days of unspoken tension, the silent treatment leaves behind a trail of confusion, hurt, and disconnection.