#FathersDay: Pandemic parenting lessons are for keeps, say celeb dads

Parenting is a challenging job during the best of times. And during a pandemic, when kids aren’t allowed to move out, meet their friends and need to adjust to online schooling, it is a daunting task to keep them happy. However, parents say that over the last one-and-a-half years, the coronavirus pandemic has made them relook at the bond with their children and in the process, they have discovered new aspects and picked up new parenting lessons. On Father’s Day, some celeb dads talk about the challenges of parenting during a pandemic and the resultant lessons that will help them in the long run.

This has been the longest time that I have managed to spend with my daughter Miraya and now, I realise how much I had lost out on over the years. Due to professional commitments, I couldn’t be there when she started walking, talking and many such milestones. Our happiness lies in her small steps and the lockdown gave me time to teach her cycling step by step. We also practised martial arts together. The lockdown has made me realise that the quality time I spend with her is very precious and I will make sure to take out time for her, no matter how busy my schedule is. Also, I want to continue telling her stories.

Imran is just four years old and for us, his online classes have been the most challenging. Safa (his wife) has done an amazing job and ensured that Imran attends his classes and pays proper attention. This pandemic has again shown us that parenting is also about partnership. I will continue to take up more parenting responsibilities. So, while Safa was taking care of his education, I would look after other aspects like making sure that he brushes his teeth every night, playing cricket with him inside the house and doing other activities together.

With schools shut, classes going online and kids staying at home, it can be difficult. Keeping young children engaged and entertained can be quite a task. During last year’s lockdown, I kept my daughter Kimaya (four-and-a-half years old) entertained by playing games with her, colouring and painting exercises. Although I would sit with her during her online classes, making her sit throughout was tough. Since I have started shooting again, I’m unable to do all these activities with her. So, when I’m home, I make sure to give her as much time as I can. A child is not just the mother’s responsibility; the father has to be equally responsible and present.

My daughter Venika is 10 years old now and we enjoy cooking together. The pandemic allowed us to spend more time together in the kitchen. Also, we started exercising together regularly during the lockdown and it’s one habit that we plan to continue. Her online classes posed the toughest challenge and it wasn’t easy for her to stay away from outdoor activities and meeting her friends. But together, we made sure that she could focus on her studies.

The unprecedented break gave enough time for us to bond with our daughter Zahra and take part in various activities together. Even though we were staying at home and were not on any family vacation, we utilised the time to the fullest. It was a learning phase as we learned to be patient with each other. Zahra and I learnt French online. It was an enriching experience to see her growth so closely. Since I am back to shoots and my daughter is busy with her classes, I think we have found a way to add value to each other’s lives even if we are busy with our schedules.

My daughter Dhyana (five-and-a-half years old) has really helped me in coping with this pandemic because without her, it would have been very difficult for me mentally. Online schooling and lack of socialising have presented some unique challenges but as a father, I am glad that I could spend more time with her. Vidya (his wife) and I have also made sure that she spends less time on gadgets and now, we have more conversations as a family. Dhyana has also taken up more responsibilities, like watering the plants daily, and she decides on her punishment if she does something wrong. Spending more time with her has made me look at things from her point of view and it has really helped. I have realised that we tend to complicate things by overthinking and this now helps me to make my decisions quickly. I have become calmer and the entire experience has made me a better person. I think life is much better when looked at from a child’s perspective.