Part 15 of 19 in Trust Yourself: A Guide for Indian Parents← Part 14Part 16 →
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I’ve spent a fair bit of my career observing how parents interact with their children, both in the clinic and in my personal life. As a father and a doctor, I’ve been privy to the myriad concerns that parents have about their children’s wellbeing, particularly when it comes to food and sleep. There’s an overwhelming tendency to complicate these basic human needs, often under the guise of expert advice.
In my experience, both as a medical professional and as an investor who has seen a fair share of parenting startups, the best advice is often the simplest. Feed your child when they’re hungry. Let them sleep when they’re tired. It sounds almost too basic, doesn’t it? But when you peel back the layers of well-intentioned advice and commercial noise, it becomes clear that simplicity often holds the key to effective parenting.
Consider the spectacle that surrounds children’s eating habits. I’ve seen parents turn mealtime into a battlefield, armed with spoons and threats, as if coercing an extra bite somehow ensures their child’s future success. But hunger isn’t a character flaw. It’s a natural signal from the body that should be respected. A toddler may eat heartily at a family wedding and reject the same food at home, not because of a sudden change in appetite, but because of the change in environment and attention. A schoolchild skipping breakfast might not be a picky eater but could be full from a glass of milk forced upon them at the crack of dawn.
We must remember that eating is not a performance, and children are not actors needing direction. Many Indian children who are labeled as poor eaters are merely grazing on snacks throughout the day. In my practice, I’ve found that eliminating the in-between snacks and sticking to structured mealtimes often resolves these issues. It’s a simple approach: one place, one plate, no commentary. Observe for three days and then adjust if needed.
Now, let’s talk about sleep. In my clinic, I’ve spoken to many parents who are desperate for their children to sleep through the night. They often arrive armed with advice from every conceivable source, from parenting books to Instagram influencers. But the truth is, sleep isn’t about philosophy; it’s about practicality. A child needs to feel dark, fed, safe, and bored to sleep. It’s as simple as that.
I’ve witnessed families spending thousands on white-noise machines and sleep consultants when the real problem was as simple as a change in the daily routine. A family in Nagpur, for instance, found that by moving their child’s tuition from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m., they solved the sleep problem more effectively than any gadget could. The issue was never the child’s inability to sleep; it was the mental stimulation of algebra post-dinner.
This is where common sense trumps commercial solutions. When a child suddenly sleeps all day or can’t sleep and breathe properly, it’s time to call a doctor. Not every problem can be solved with a method or a gadget. Trust yourself enough to know when something is genuinely wrong. Parents who are hands-on can often spot the difference between a temporary phase and a genuine issue. That’s the medical value of being involved in your child’s life.
In my journey from the boardrooms of startups to the consultations of IVF clinics, one lesson remains consistent: trust the obvious. Our bodies, especially those of children, are excellent communicators. They tell us when they’re hungry, tired, or unwell. Our job is to listen, not override those signals with external advice.
In investing, as in parenting, there’s a tendency to complicate the simple. I’ve seen founders who are so focused on complex strategies and exit plans that they forget the basic principle of solving a problem. Much like feeding and sleeping, successful startups often hinge on the obvious, practical solutions rather than convoluted theories.
I recall a startup founder who was struggling to scale his company. He was trying to implement a fancy new customer acquisition strategy, yet his existing customers were being neglected. It was a classic case of ignoring the simple for the sophisticated. We sat down and devised a plan that focused on retention rather than acquisition, and the results were immediate and profound.
The parallels between parenting and investing are striking. Both require patience, observation, and the ability to trust one’s instincts. Whether it’s a child or a startup, the signs are there if you’re willing to see them. Children and companies alike will tell you what they need; your job is to pay attention and respond appropriately.
So, let us not lose sight of the basics. Food, sleep, and the obvious solutions that accompany them are not just relevant to parenting but to every aspect of life. Whether you’re raising a child, building a startup, or navigating any of life’s challenges, the simplest solutions are often the most effective. And in a world that’s increasingly obsessed with complexity, there’s something profoundly liberating about returning to the basics.
In the end, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned from both my patients and the startups I mentor is this: trust the obvious. It won’t always be easy, but it will usually be right.