Parents realise that how they treat their children and how they discipline them, goes a long way in creating and moulding the attitudes of their children. “I don’t think most parents really intend to spoil their kids. We may buy them cell phones and take them out to the movies often or even indulge in some wishful fancies once in a while, but it’s usually with an intent to make them wellrounded, holistic people, who can fit into society easily. There’s a line to be drawn obviously. Parents need to be demanding and controlling to an extent, but at the same time make sure that communication channels are open both ways, and that the children feel safe enough to come to us with a problem,” says Ritu Rohra, mother of three. Anupama Sundaram, mother of two teenagers, feels that children need to be prepared for the outside world they are going to face one day. “I’ve known parents who end up having to pay their children to do even the smallest of chores around the house. This clearly sends a wrong message. Children grow up to feel that the world owes them for their every act. Now the outside world is not going to take kindly to such expectations, and most young adults feel discouraged, frustrated, and angry. The only way out is to make sure that they’re not molly-coddled. Parents need to be critical and learn to not pander to all the wishes of their children,” she says.