Kamal Ghorui
Twinkle Khanna has long championed honesty over idealism—especially when it comes to parenting. The author-columnist recently spoke about embracing fallibility as a parent, navigating the generational gap with her children, and why therapy should not be reduced to social media soundbites.Twinkle, who shares two children with actor Akshay Kumar—son Aarav Bhatia (24) and daughter Nitara Bhatia (13)—also revealed how their contrasting personalities shape the relationship advice she gives them.
‘Accept me for what I am’: Twinkle on being an imperfect parent
In an interview with The Print, Twinkle reflected on a recent disagreement with her daughter while travelling, admitting that the moment became a learning experience for her as a mother.“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, 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 helps, Instagram psychology doesn’t’
While stressing the importance of mental health support, Twinkle cautioned against blindly consuming online therapy content, calling it 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 or 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.”
Dating advice for Aarav and Nitara
Asked about the dating advice she has given her children, Twinkle explained that personality plays a key role in shaping her guidance—far more 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, moves in the opposite 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.” Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar got married on January 17, 2001, in a private ceremony. They welcomed their son Aarav in 2002 and daughter Nitara in 2012, and have consistently kept their children away from the glare of the film industry.
