“Mom, all my friends say their parents yell at them for skipping lectures. You don’t?” My 17-year-old son hops onto my lap, arms around my neck. Our journey began four years ago, and it’s been a transformative one.

This is an opportunity for me to take you through this memorable journey of peaceful power packed parenting. Not long ago, I was an obsessed parent, fixated on my son’s academic performance, sharing posts about his emotional journey. Then came the lockdown—a gift in disguise. With distractions gone, I had to confront my own inner self, reflecting on who I was beyond the parent label.

During those challenging times, my son became disengaged with school, rebellious even. I realized my approach wasn’t working. A friend introduced me to a spiritual university, prompting an inward journey of self-discovery. I questioned: Who am I when I’m not just a parent? Was I tying my worth to my child’s grades?

I adopted the “SOS tool”: Stop-Observe-Stir. I recognized that my reactions were a reflection of my own inner struggles. If my son said he didn’t like studying, why should that upset me? I began to see how my beliefs were blocking our connection.

Today, I’m loving yet assertive. I can appreciate my son for who he is, free from judgment. “Will yelling bring good grades?” I asked him. He pondered, “But what will they say at the parents’ meeting?”

“I’ve done my part—paid fees, provided resources. It’s up to you to manage your schedule. I’m here if you need me.” I emphasized that his choices to skip lectures weren’t merely about avoiding responsibility; they were part of a broader balance between study and play.

Introspection has helped me understand that challenges are opportunities for growth. I’m grateful for the challenges that pushed me to look within and transform.

As A.P.J. Abdul Kalam wrote, “God has not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our life through; God has not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain.”

This journey continues, and I invite you to meet the real you as well.