Olympian Saina Nehwal Tells Parents: Stop Being ‘Cool’ — Your Children Need Discipline, Not Friendship!

Parenting is one of the most important and challenging jobs in the world. Many parents today want to be cool and friendly with their children. They try to be their children’s best friend, talk about everything casually, and avoid strict rules. But Olympic badminton star Saina Nehwal believes that this approach can actually hurt children’s growth.

Saina Nehwal, who is known for her amazing achievements in badminton, says that children need guidance, discipline, and structure more than friendship. She explains that being too friendly with children can sometimes make it hard for them to respect rules.

Why Discipline Matters

Saina’s own journey to becoming a top athlete was not easy. She worked very hard from a young age and followed a strict routine. According to her, discipline is the foundation of success. It teaches children how to focus, work hard, and handle challenges. When parents set rules and guide their children firmly, children learn to take responsibility for their actions.

According to Saina, Being cool with children might feel good in the moment, but it can create problems. Children may not take rules seriously, and they may miss out on learning important life skills such as patience, dedication, and perseverance. Saina says that parents should love their children but also maintain authority.

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Tough Love vs. Being a Friend

Saina emphasizes that parenting is not about being popular or liked by your children. Being their friend is different from being a loving and guiding parent. Tough love is important because it helps children grow into confident, responsible, and capable adults.

She points out that too much leniency like trying to avoid conflicts or giving children whatever they want, can stop children from understanding the value of hard work. Children need to experience challenges and learn to overcome them. This is what prepares them for the real world.

Tips for Parents

1. Set clear rules and expectations: Children should know what is right and wrong.
2. Be consistent: Follow through with what you say, so your child learns to trust your guidance.
3. Encourage independence: Let children make small decisions and learn from mistakes.
4. Support but don’t enable: Celebrate achievements, but don’t remove all obstacles from their path.
5. Show love and care: Affection can exist alongside discipline. Children need both.

Saina Nehwal’s advice is a reminder that parenting is not about being liked all the time. It’s about preparing children for life. Being strict, setting boundaries, and teaching discipline are not signs of being harsh, they are signs of caring and wanting the best for your child.

Parents who follow this approach can help their children become responsible, confident, and resilient. These are the qualities that can help them succeed not only in studies or sports but also in life.