Abhishek Bachchan says parents should not be friends with their kids: 'A father will never be able to replace a mother'

Abhishek Bachchan, the doting father of 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, recently shared his thoughts on parenting, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between a parent and a friend. Speaking while promoting his upcoming film Be Happy, where he plays a girl-dad, Abhishek discussed how fathers often face an emotional struggle that tends to go unnoticed, especially since men generally don’t express their feelings openly. He pointed out that while women are undeniably the "superior race," a father’s role in a child’s life should not be undermined, and their efforts, though not comparable to a mother's, deserve recognition.
In an insightful chat on Fever FM, Abhishek expressed that, although the parent-child relationship today is more friendly, parents should avoid crossing the line into friendship. "You can’t be your kid’s friend. You are their parent. You are there to protect them and guide them," he said. According to him, parents should create a comfortable and open environment for their children to confide in them, ensuring they are the first people their kids turn to in times of need. However, he firmly believes that children must understand the distinction between a parent and a friend.

Reflecting on the journey of parenthood, Abhishek also shared how the experience of becoming a parent leads to self-discovery. He noted that while unsolicited advice from others is common, each parent’s approach is unique.
He said that at the end of the day one has to make your own mistakes and have to find his or her own way, emphasizing how loving someone more than yourself reshapes your life. For Abhishek, parenting is not just about responsibility but a journey that teaches profound lessons about life and selflessness.
On the work front, Abhishek was last seen in the drama movie 'I Want to Talk'.