From the challenges of single parenting to her decision to seek divorce when Samaira was 3; Juhi Parmar details her parenthood journey with her tween daughter

Juhi Parmar has been a renowned name in the Industry, be it Kumkum or Karmphal Data Shani, the actress has ruled every genre of TV shows. In a recent podcast with Rubina Dilaik, Juhi opened up about her parenting journey, the challenges of being a single parent and more. She even shared how she made her daughter Samaira understand about her separation from Sacchin Shrof. Take a look:

I was obsessed with wanting a daughter. Even when we used to talk I would keep talking about having a daughter. I would even pray to god that please bless me with a daughter. I didn't want a son and I share such an emotional connection with Samaira. I often ask her how she knew that I wanted her and she would choose me.

Being a mother is the most important role that I have played. We as women keep playing multiple roles in our lives and being a mother is so important that everything you do affects the child's upbringing. It is the biggest blessing in our lives.

There are challenges every day as a parent. There are different parenthood challenges as they keep growing up. My daughter is a tween (age between 9-12). And the challenges at this age are quite complicated as you need to make them understand every little thing. They are a part of being a parent but for me, the biggest challenge was when I decided to end my marriage and it was the beginning of a journey which I had to carry just on my shoulders.

Being a single parent is not a choice that anybody makes, but when it comes to a point where you have to make that decision and take up the responsibility completely. It is said that ek bacche ko bada karne mein 4 haath lagte hai, for my daughter we had 6 hands. My parents have been extremely supportive of my daughter's upbringing and in my hardest phase at that moment.

When I had decided to separate, Samaira was barely 3-3 and a half years old. My show Karmphal Data Shani helped me a lot while taking that decision as I was working so I had that sense of confidence that I would handle everything. Even though I have been working for the past 20 years, when you have a steady income with an ongoing show it becomes easier for you in terms of financial stability.

Shani was a show that was shot in Umbergaon and it was my first show after giving birth to Samaira. I wanted to do everything for my daughter when she was born so my maternity break was longer than expected as I wanted to be there for Samaira. And when Shani was offered, my cameo turned out to be a hit and it lasted for more than 2 years. At that time, my parents took care of Samaira as I was away from her. They did my daughter's co-parenting, and they have done everything for her.

For me, I always made Samaira understand all the things as appropriate to her age. I made sure that she shouldn't think that because of one thing her life has completely changed or something terrible has happened. I made her understand that her family (mother) is with her and gave her a surety that I may never leave her hand. I told her about my separation like a fairytale, if it's not the happily ever after then it's not the end. She took it very lightly, I explained everything to her in a way where she never asked questions about it.

I had told her that she doesn't need to be ashamed of our reality and we don't need to hide it from anyone. When she was a little older she saw my picture with him on YouTube with that breakup sign and dramatic thumbnail. Seeing that picture, she got very scared and she told me 'sabko pata chal jayega', I told her everyone knows about it, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I told her that your mother is a known face, the day she got married everybody knew and the day she ended everybody knew it. I told her never to hide the truth and accept it. She has taken it in her stride and she has completely accepted it.