Anu Aggarwal says, “It is important for parents to engage in open communication with children”!

Actress #AnuAggarwal feels parents should not resort to blaming or shaming their kids if they find them doing something wrong. She feels engaging in an open conversation is the right way to go about it, especially in today’s world where there is so much information exposure.

Speaking on the incident at Bengaluru schools where contraceptives, condoms, and cigarettes were found in the bags of students of classes 8, 9, and 10, she said, “It is important for parents to engage in open communication if they find that their child is smoking and/or drinking. These situations are difficult to handle which is why it is essential to remain calm and take time to process this shocking information.”

She feels a number of factors can add up to adolescents opting for the wrong means and said, “Emotions play havoc at this age and bad habits are formed sometimes just because adolescents don’t know how to cope with the changes. Your child could be doing this under peer pressure, so it is important to have a frank conversation with them, instead of blaming or shaming them.”

‘Parents must explain the health hazards of smoking and drinking, both short-term and long-term, help them quit, and support them to let go of these unhealthy habits. Encourage them to build awareness, be supportive and offer help,” she added.

Anu stressed that at a time when there is so much information overload because of global connectivity, a lot of information is negative or harmful to children in particular. She, however, informed that her foundation can help with techniques to help the brain distinguish between right and wrong.

“In my mind management training, I learned an invaluable technique where through certain practices you lead the mind to access its storehouse of energy and dynamism. That’s what the growing adults desperately need today and I am happy to be teaching that. According to yogic physiology, there are intense psycho-physiological changes teens are exposed to. At this age, there are questions, confusion, and of course curiosity which leads to copying adult behaviour,” she said.

“I feel while we raise their awareness about issues, in adolescent years building focus on the mind is the key. So, with my foundation, while I encourage them to work on balancing the mind to distinguish right from wrong decisive behaviour; we also develop leadership qualities in them, and show them that with the right conduct they can make their dreams come true,” Anu concluded.