Shweta Tiwari, a beloved face in Indian television, has won over audiences with her performances, especially as Prerna in Kasautii Zindagii Kay. But behind the screen, her most challenging and fulfilling role has been that of a single mother. Shweta has raised her daughter Palak Tiwari and son Reyaansh Kohli with strength, structure, and purpose. In a recent conversation on Bharti TV’s YouTube channel, the actress opened up about the parenting principles she followed while bringing up Palak.
Discipline Over Dictatorship
While many assume that children of celebrities live a lavish, rule-free life, Shweta broke that stereotype with her parenting approach. She said she was never the “strict” type, but her home functioned with a well-established system. For instance, Palak had a strict curfew that she was expected to follow without exceptions.
“If you have said that you will be back by 1 am, you should be at the door at 1. You can’t say I am leaving at 1. 1 o’clock is to come back home, not leave the party,” Shweta stated firmly. She even made it a point to have the contact numbers of Palak’s friends and their parents, just in case something went wrong.
She added that she would not hesitate to reach out to those contacts. “If your phone is off, I will call the people who are with you. If I can’t get through to them, then I will start calling their mothers because they would have the driver’s contact details.” Palak, according to her, always knew her mother would follow through on these rules.
Money Lessons with Real-World Chores
Shweta made sure Palak understood the value of money from an early age. Instead of giving her an endless allowance, she gave her a fixed budget for monthly expenses. If she wanted to go beyond the set limit, she had to earn the extra amount by doing household chores.
“She was given a budget. For instance, I allowed her to spend Rs 25,000 and if she went from 25,000 to 30,000, she knew that she would be asked to do household chores to compensate for it,” the actress explained. She had a clear list of chores with set rates like Rs 1000 for cleaning the bathroom, Rs 1000 for doing the dishes, and Rs 500 for making the bed.
Palak, understanding the system well, would sometimes do chores in advance when she anticipated overspending. This method, according to Shweta, taught her daughter not just money management, but also responsibility and self-reliance.
No Makeup, No Phone Until the Right Age
In an age where young teens are quick to adapt to adult habits, Shweta maintained strict boundaries. Palak was not allowed to wear makeup until she turned 16, and she didn’t receive a phone while she was still in school. These rules were meant to help her grow at her own pace without unnecessary distractions.
Shweta also admitted to being extra cautious because of societal pressures and risks. She said she was worried as a mother, especially because Palak is a girl in a world that isn’t always safe. She also noted that while Palak doesn’t drink, people around her often do, a reality that made Shweta even more vigilant.
Investing in Her Daughter’s Future
Alongside instilling discipline, Shweta has also taken smart financial steps for Palak’s future. Ever since Palak began earning, her mother has been investing a significant portion of her income. She ensures that while Palak enjoys her freedom, her financial security is also being built steadily.
Palak Tiwari, following in her mother’s footsteps, is gradually making a name in the industry. She was recently seen in The Bhootnii and continues to explore diverse roles in film and music videos.
