Author Seema Punwani shares parenting tips in Mumbai

Mumbai: Global marketing professional and author Seema Punwani, whose slice of life book 'Cross Connection' laced with wit and humour has sparked conversations across the world, was on a whirlwind tour to Mumbai. She spoke at two events on parenting, leading up to Mother's Day, and offered interesting insights on motherhood, feminism and parenting.

The first of these was the "role of humour in parenting', a much-ignored topic. Conducted at Crossword Bookstores, Kemps corner, the discussion also has Dr. Swati Popat Vats, famed parenting mentor and educationist, co-author of 'Once Upon a Story, 'The discussion was moderated by the witty Mansi Zaveri - Founder and CEO of Kidsstoppress and had the audience in splits.

While discussing whether humour can be used in the case of serious situations; Punwani asserted that humour has its role. "In serious situations, joking won't help solve the problem but will help lighten the moment."

Dr. Vats added, "Have a sense of humour with your child. Let them understand what to laugh at and what to laugh with. But when a child is upset, never laugh it off!"

Mansi was able to draw out useful tips for mothers. For instance, while Seema suggested that rather than taking the child aside abruptly to talk about topics like the LGBT community or sexual preferences, these conversations should take place in spontaneity, Dr. Swati Popat Vats added, "stop asking for sympathy as parents. Every parent must know that will go through sleepless nights. You can either get wrinkled about it or can stay one step ahead with your humour."

The second event was at The World Trade Centre Mumbai, which witnessed an empowering panel discussion. Seema Punwani joined multiple award-winning and bestselling author, Meghna Pant (author Feminist Rani) Dr. Swati Lodha (author of "54 reasons why parents suck) to discuss a very pertinent question: 'Can feminism and motherhood co-exist?'

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Moderated by celebrated TV anchor Swati Khandelwal, the panelists seemed to agree that the word feminism may be seen increasingly as irksome. However, since it represents the 'cohort that needs equality more' it remains relevant. The panel discussed wrong notions of 'the pressure to be a supermom' and moments of doubts that arise as a mother.

"As a society, we need to change the questions we ask women," reiterated Meghana Pant, while Dr Swati Lodha said, " Our social innovation must move away from enforcing pinks on girls and blues on boys."

Both events were curated by The Network, India's leading influencer engagement and content agency. Commenting on the same, Reeta Gupta of The Network, herself a bestselling author said, "we can spark mindset change, one discussion at a time. Authors like Dr Swati Popat Vats, Meghna Pant, Dr Swati Lodha and Seema Punwani, as well as prominent names in Indian media such as Swati Khandelwal and Mansi Zaveri, represent a new balanced consciousness thats shaping our society."