If you ask parents whether they would support their kids in their choice of career, you'd probably expect an affirmative response. But not from actor and father, Aamir Khan.
Mr Perfectionist does not believe in pushing his kids or supporting them to pursue his own field, unless he is absolutely confident they deserve it! Yes, that's correct.
While most celebrity parents would give an arm to have their kid follow in their footsteps to become a famous face themselves, Khan is not the same kind of parent. He doesn't believe it spoon-feeding his kids and would rather have them earn it.
While speaking to the media recently about his kids, the actor par excellence said that he would help them to establish themselves in the industry, if he felt they deserved it.
"If not deserving then I will tell them they aren't deserving"
Aamir was talking about his two kids Junaid,23, and Ira, 19, from his previous marriage to Reena Dutta, and explained how his daughter was planning to become an actor herself.
"He (Junaid) is studying theatre...He is interested in theatre. She (Ira) is planning not to study... She is going my way," he shared.
However, when he as asked if he will openly help his kids, just like other celebrities do, he said he would first gauge their talent.
"Of course I will help them. If I feel they have the talent and are deserving I will surely help them.. If not deserving then I will tell them they aren't deserving," he said. Professionally, his son Junaid has already assisted filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani on the movie PK and Ira is perhaps waiting for her debut.
Even though he may be the best good critic of his kids, it doesn't mean he is averse to the idea of supporting their choices. So instead of spoon-feeding them, he wants them to carve a niche for themselves and is quite open to helping them hone their talent.
Continue reading to see how Aamir Khan plans to help his kids, albeit differently from other celebrities!
Aamir Khan's unique parenting style
Talking about his unique parenting style, Khan told a leading daily, "As a father, I always support my kids to do whatever they wish to do. I believe that parents should support their kids to achieve their dreams rather than decide it for them."
The actor whose next flick, Dangal explores the complex relationship between a father and his daughters has touched a chord with him because of the love between the characters, something that he shares with his own kids.
However, he adds that while he loves them and is always going to support their choices, as a parent he will help them become a better version of themselves.
“Though in the beginning children go through an indecisive phase, instead of pressurising them to pursue their unfulfilled dreams, parents should help them to find a way to decide a career path. I was quite rebellious when I decided to become an actor,” he added as he honestly explained why he can be a guide to his parents but not somebody who will make things happen for them.
3 benefits of honest and open parenting
Just as Khan is a strict and honest parent with his kids, it is important to share your aspirations and expectations from your kids as openly as possible. This helps them in many ways.
- Kids will work towards their dream: They will be aware that they have to work towards making it on their own. They will always have their parents as moral supporters, but they cannot take their help.
- No jugaad will work: They will be aware that while their parents will guide them, they will not spoon-feed them. India is quite famous for being a jugaad country, but if a child knows that they cannot have their parents use their jack to get them to places, they will be left with no choice but towards making it on their own.
- Kids will become independent: They will become independent enough to make their own life decisions, having learnt from their own mistakes in the past. Since life is a great teacher, they have a lot to look forward to if their life choices are different from their parents'.
Read: How empathetic parenting encourages emotional development
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[All images courtesy: Instagram]
