Twinkle Khanna, renowned author and columnist, has long advocated for honesty over idealism, especially in parenting. Recently, she shared her insights on navigating the generational gap with her children and why therapy should not be trivialized as social media soundbites. Twinkle, who shares two children with actor Akshay Kumar—son Aarav Bhatia, 24, and daughter Nitara Bhatia, 13—revealed how their contrasting personalities influence the dating advice she offers them.
In an interview with The Print, Twinkle reflected on a recent disagreement with her daughter during a trip, highlighting the importance of acknowledging her own fallibility as a parent. “I was actually telling my daughter this and we had a disagreement. We were travelling. I was wrong, and she was right. I actually had to tell her that – do not expect me to be perfect. 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. And, I think that acceptance is what children need to have.” According to Twinkle, acknowledging mistakes helps build mutual respect rather than reinforcing unrealistic expectations from parents.
Therapy and Mental Health: A Cautionary Note
While emphasizing the importance of mental health support, Twinkle cautioned against the superficial consumption of online therapy content, which she considers misleading and potentially harmful. “With this therapy talk, there’s a little bit of danger because most people are not really going to therapy. They are looking at some sort of filtered version of therapy on Instagram and then repeating that new age babble, and that is dangerous. I strongly believe that we all should seek therapy because it helps us navigate our own mind and issues, so we are better parents and children. But, this half-baked Instagram psychology is a very dangerous thing.”
Personalized Parenting: Dating Advice for Aarav and Nitara
When asked about the dating advice she gives her children, Twinkle explained that personality plays a crucial role in shaping her guidance—more so than age or gender. “With your children, you have to see their personalities, and you then give advice according to that. My son is a very kind person, very soft-hearted, since he was a child. Not just 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.”
Her advice to her daughter Nitara, however, takes a different direction. “With my daughter, I tell her she has to lower her boundaries. She is just 13 and she has to be a little less aggressive. So, whether it’s dating or friendship, or it’s just any relationships, that advice is pretty much the same. It’s how you have to function in the world, not only with somebody who you have a romantic relationship with. So for him, get a little bit more aggressive and for her, get less aggressive.”
Family Dynamics and Public Life
Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar, who married on January 17, 2001, have consistently kept their children away from the public eye, despite their own high-profile careers in the film industry. Aarav was born in 2002, followed by Nitara in 2012. This decision reflects their commitment to providing a balanced upbringing, away from the pressures and scrutiny of the entertainment world.
As Twinkle Khanna continues to share her parenting journey, her candid reflections offer valuable insights into the complexities of raising children in a rapidly changing world. Her emphasis on embracing imperfection and fostering open communication resonates with many parents navigating similar challenges.
