‘Har din she goes, ‘Mumma I want rasgulla': Rani Mukerji shares parenting trick to feed your children healthy food

Indian Express

15-06-2025

Rani Mukerji is a proud mother to a ten-year-old daughter, Adira, whom she shares with husband, Bollywood producer Aditya Chopra. In conversation with MasterChef Sanjeev Kapoor, the Black actor shared how her kid craves rasgullas all the time, and what she did to curb them.
'Har din she goes, 'Mumma I want rasgulla' and now there's a new trend ki bachhon ko meetha se duur rakho, sugar is poison, which I do agree. But I also feel that bachhon ko agar upar se bole ye mat khaon woh mat khaon, toh woh zyada khaate hai. Isiliye mera plan alag hai, she said, adding that 'Main usko abhi bolti hoon khao khao, phir usko aise lagega mummy aisa kyun bol rahi hai — let me eat karela then.'
Mukerji's hack is based on the principle of reverse psychology, which Dr Pavana S, consultant psychiatrist, relationship expert and sexologist, Bangalore, defined as a psychological strategy where individuals encourage others to do the opposite of what they desire by presenting a counterintuitive suggestion. 'Employed in various contexts, it manipulates human behaviour by exploiting the natural tendency to resist direct persuasion,' she explained.
This subtle form of persuasion often relies on the desire for autonomy, making the target feel in control while unknowingly following the suggested course. From parenting to marketing, reverse psychology plays a role in influencing decisions. While controversial, its effectiveness raises ethical questions about the boundaries of psychological manipulation in interpersonal relationships and societal interactions, according to Dr Pavana.
In parenting and relationships, reverse psychology can be a double-edged sword. While it might be employed with good intentions, such as prompting a child to consider alternative perspectives, its use can lead to misunderstandings and erode trust, said Dr Pavana.
'Employing reverse psychology to manipulate a kid's behaviour can be perceived as deceitful, potentially harming the foundation of mutual respect. Ethical considerations come into play, as transparency and open communication are crucial in healthy relationships,' she added.
While she acknowledged that it might serve as a short-term strategy to avoid confrontation, its effectiveness can be limited in fostering genuine understanding and resolution. Over-reliance on such tactics may lead to communication breakdowns and undermine the authenticity of the bond between parents and children. Healthy communication, empathy, and compromise are more sustainable tools for conflict resolution.
Dr Pavana shared some alternate strategies to convince your child to do something without using reverse psychology.
Effective Communication: Develop open and honest communication to express needs and concerns directly.
Active Listening: Cultivate the skill of listening empathetically to understand your partner's perspective.
Compromise and Collaboration: Seek mutually beneficial solutions through compromise, promoting teamwork.
Therapeutic Support: Consider couples counselling for professional guidance in navigating conflicts and improving communication.
Building Trust: Prioritise trust-building activities to create a foundation of honesty and reliability in the relationship.