Before becoming parents, many of us carry a long list of absolutes – no screens at the dinner table, no raising voices, no bribing with sweets, no sleeping in the parents’ bed. But parenting has a way of humbling certainty.
Somewhere between exhaustion, guilt, love and survival, the rules begin to bend. Some principles become non-negotiable like kindness, listening, emotional safety, while others quietly fall away in the face of real life. The journey of parenting is often less about perfection and more about learning which rules truly matter, and which ones were never really about the child at all.
Here’s what some WOW women have to say about the one parenting rule that they swear by and one that they happily chose to break.
MALVIKA SUBBA, Media Personality
My mantra has been to focus on my child’s mental wellbeing. As a millennial parent, it has definitely been a learning experience. Asking them about their feelings and validating them is my number one rule.
I never believed in gender roles and gender-based activities – my son doesn’t like sports and is interested in computers and science – so I have focused on giving him coding trainings and guiding him in his interests.
AMIRA BAJRACHARYA, Homemaker & Mother
If there is one parenting rule I truly swear by, it is the importance of open and honest communication. I have always believed that a home should feel like a safe haven where children can speak their minds freely, without fear of judgement. Whether it’s their dreams, doubts or even mistakes, I want my children to know that they will always be heard. Over time, I have realised that listening with empathy often teaches more than simply instructing, and it has helped me build a deeper, more trusting relationship with them.
On the other hand, one rule I have happily broken is the idea that a parent must always be strict and unyielding. While discipline has its place, I have learned that softness and flexibility often create stronger connections. There have been moments when I chose laughter over lectures, understanding over control, and freedom over rigidity. Letting my children explore life in their own way, even if it meant bending a few rules, has allowed them to grow with confidence and individuality.
To me, parenting is not about perfection, it’s about presence, patience and growing alongside your children. Finding that delicate balance between guidance and freedom has been my most meaningful journey as a mother.
MANNSI AGRAWAL, International Transformational Speaker & Corporate Trainer
Everyone has a different way of doing motherhood. There is no universal rulebook, no fixed definition of what is right or wrong, only what is intentional and what is not.
For me, the one rule I swear by is this: I don’t try to engineer my child. I engineer the environment and I allow him to grow within it. Because children don’t become what we tell them. They become what they repeatedly see, feel and experience. The energy in the room. The standards we hold. The way we respond under pressure. That is the real curriculum.
So, I focus less on controlling outcomes and more on shaping inputs. A home that feels secure but not restrictive. Exposure that expands him, not overwhelms him. And a version of me that is regulated, present and intentional, not stretched thin trying to be everything, all the time.
Which is also why I am completely comfortable breaking another widely accepted rule of motherhood: the idea that good mothers must be constantly present. I don’t believe that.
I don’t believe love is measured in hours logged. And I refuse to carry the quiet, familiar weight of mom guilt every time I choose work, ambition or even rest. Because a mother who is fulfilled, challenged and growing is not absent, she is expansive. And that expansion becomes the environment her child learns from.
In the end, motherhood is not about proximity. It is about design.
And I choose to design mine with intention, not guilt.
MANNAT SHRESTHA, CEO, Elephant & Castle
When it comes to parenting, especially around food and nutrition, I am very mindful. One rule I truly swear by is keeping my child’s diet as clean and natural as possible. I have consciously avoided introducing sugar so far, because I want her to develop a taste for real, wholesome foods first: fruits, vegetables and home-cooked meals. For me, it’s about building that foundation early, so she grows up understanding what nourishment actually feels like.
One rule I happily broke, however, is around screen time, more specifically, my stance on devices. I have always tried to avoid giving her a mobile phone, and that’s something I still try to stick to. But I used to think I would be extremely strict about screens in general. In reality, I have become more flexible. I do let her watch TV at times, especially when I need a moment to manage work or just reset.
What I have learned is that it’s less about completely eliminating something and more about how you introduce it. TV, in moderation and with the right content, feels manageable. But with mobile phones, I still try to hold that boundary a little stronger.
Parenting has taught me that it’s not about being perfectly consistent with every rule you once imagined; it’s about adapting while staying true to your core values. For me, that balance is what makes it all feel a little more real and a lot more sustainable.
RUSHKA SHRESTHA, Beauty Expert, Director of CTEVT School of Beautician
If I had to define my parenting philosophy in one line, it would be this: I chose to raise my children through connection, not control. My one parenting rule has always been to become the first person my children can come to, no matter how small or serious the matter, without fear, hesitation or judgement. I never wanted distance between us, only trust that feels natural and constant. I never believed in harsh discipline or violence. Instead, I guided them with patience, understanding and quiet strength, where even silence or a simple look carried meaning between us.
One rule I consciously let go of was comparison. I never measured my children against others or allowed society’s expectations to define their worth. I believed their individuality deserved space to grow. When my daughter chose modelling and emceeing and later expressed her desire to become a cosmetic scientist, I stood firmly beside her, even when I had to reassure and convince my own family and in-laws. I also never wished for my children to settle abroad permanently. When she went, it was to learn, grow and return stronger, and that is beautifully unfolding. My son chose hotel management in a family of doctors and engineers. While not everyone understood at first, I supported him fully. Today, he is building his career in a reputed five-star hotel, earning respect from his seniors through his own hard work at a young age.
Watching both my children walk confidently in their chosen paths is my deepest pride as a mother and a reminder that parenting is about nurturing who they truly are, with empathy towards others, humility in success, and strength in their own paths.
USHA MANANDHAR, Founder Principal, Kidzee Bishalnagar
As a parent, one rule I truly swear by is listening to my child completely before reacting. I believe trust is not built during easy moments, but in vulnerable ones when a child feels heard, understood and safe.
Children should feel valued, not just instructed. When we pause to listen calmly instead of responding instantly, conflicts often turn into meaningful conversations. It creates an environment where communication feels open and respectful. I always try to understand what my child is feeling before discussing rules, boundaries or consequences, because emotional support makes children far more receptive.
At the same time, one parenting rule I happily broke was saying yes to my teenage daughter’s outing with her friends. Sometimes trust, independence and joyful memories matter more than rigid rules. Parenting is not only about discipline, it is also about allowing children the freedom to create moments they will always remember. Her excitement and happiness made breaking that small rule completely worth it.
