Actor Abhishek Bachchan recently opened up about his and wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s parenting style. The couple, who married in 2007, welcomed their daughter Aaradhya Bachchan in 2011. While Abhishek usually avoids discussing his private life, he spoke about their approach to raising their now-teenage daughter, emphasising that they do not let gender define parenting roles and instead believe in leading by example.

Abhishek on his parenting style

In a recent chat with Lilly Singh, Abhishek said, “In my home, as parents, both of us try to be the best example for Aaradhya instead of telling her what is right and what is wrong. We believe in showing what to do by being that ourselves. It’s never been like, ‘I’ll teach her self-defence and you teach her empathy.’ It’s not divided that way.”

He added, “It’s simply about leading a good, responsible life with your values and morals. Your child sees that, emulates it, and in that way, you’ve equipped them. So there’s no competition at home about who has to be the man or who has to be the woman. When it comes to children, we both believe you have to lead by example, not try to teach them what is right and wrong. Because what’s right for us might not be right for them. Generations change. Our world is very different, and our children’s world is going to be even more different.

Abhishek`s parenting moment

Abhishek also recalled an incident that changed his perspective on parenting. He shared that once, while watching TV, he asked Aaradhya to get him a glass of water, which she did. 

We were watching TV when she was a kid, and I was being tortured by Peppa Pig. I said, ‘Hey, Aaradhya…’ You know how kids are, they’re like zombies. I said, ‘Aaradhya, can you just get Papa a glass of water?’ She looked at me like, ‘What?’ I said, ‘Can you give me a glass of water?’ She said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because I asked you to.’ It’s normal, right? I’m the dad, get me a glass of water. She got up, went and got me a glass of water very sweetly. I said, ‘Thank you,’ gave her a kiss, and she sat down.”

“Half an hour later, she says, ‘Papa?’ I said, ‘Yes?’ She asked, ‘Can you give me a glass of water?’ And I’m like, ‘Go get it yourself.’ She said, ‘Why? If you can ask me, why can’t I ask you?’ I had no answer to that. And I was like, she’s right. I mean, I can’t pull rank on her. She’s right. If she can get me a glass of water, why can’t I get it for her? And I never butted heads with her after that. It’s very logical,” Abhishek Bachchan mentioned.