Twinkle Khanna Opens Up About Parenting Approach and Dating Advice for Children
In a recent candid interview, author-columnist and actor Akshay Kumar's wife Twinkle Khanna has shared intimate details about her parenting philosophy and the specific advice she gives her two children regarding relationships and personal boundaries. The celebrity mother, known for her advocacy of 'perfectly imperfect' parenting, discussed how she tailors her guidance based on her children's distinct personalities.
Different Approaches for Different Personalities
Twinkle Khanna revealed that her 24-year-old son Aarav Bhatia possesses a fundamentally kind and generous nature that has been evident since childhood. "My son is a very kind person, very soft-hearted," she explained during her conversation with The Print. "Not just in dating, but even with friends and other people, I had to always tell him to have his boundaries because he is so generous that can sometimes lead other people to take advantage."
In contrast, her 13-year-old daughter Nitara Bhatia exhibits a more assertive temperament that requires a different approach. "With my daughter, I tell her she has to lower her boundaries," Twinkle shared. "She is just 13 and she has to be a little less aggressive. So whether it's dating or friendship, or just any relationships, that advice is pretty much the same."
Therapy Talk and Modern Parenting Challenges
The conversation also touched upon contemporary parenting challenges, particularly regarding therapy and generational understanding. When asked if mothers need therapy to bridge the generation gap with their children, Twinkle offered a nuanced perspective. "I actually had to tell my daughter that – do not expect me to be perfect," she recounted from a recent disagreement. "I am fallible. I am as imperfect as you are. I am a little more mature, a little wiser, but I am not perfect. So don't expect that from me. Accept me for what I am."
While advocating for genuine therapeutic support, Twinkle expressed concern about the proliferation of superficial psychological advice. "With this therapy talk, there's a little bit of danger because most people are not really going to therapy," she cautioned. "They are looking at some sort of filtered version of therapy on Instagram and then repeating that new age babble, and that is dangerous. This half-baked Instagram psychology is a very dangerous thing."
Core Relationship Principles for Both Children
Twinkle emphasized that her relationship advice extends beyond romantic contexts to all interpersonal connections. "It's how you have to function in the world, not only with somebody who you have a romantic relationship with," she explained. The author, who recently released her book 'Mrs Funnybones Returns,' believes these principles are fundamental to healthy interactions.
Her tailored guidance reflects a balanced approach:
- For Aarav: Develop more assertiveness and establish clearer personal boundaries
- For Nitara: Cultivate more softness and reduce aggressive tendencies
Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar, who married in a private ceremony on January 17, 2001, have navigated parenthood together since welcoming their son in 2002 and daughter in 2012. Through her insights, Twinkle continues to contribute to broader conversations about modern parenting, emotional intelligence, and authentic relationship-building in today's complex social landscape.
