Raising teenagers has never been easy — and for Indian parents in New Zealand, it often means juggling cultural values with Kiwi teenage independence.
The “mummy, everyone else is allowed to…” conversation is almost universal. But in Indian households, it comes layered with extra questions: How do we keep our kids close to culture? Should we allow dating? What’s the right balance between freedom and protection?
Many parents try to keep Indian values alive through food, festivals, language, and family trips to India. But teenagers, shaped by school environments, online spaces, and local friends, often crave freedom. And that’s not a bad thing. Growing up bicultural means navigating two worlds — and that journey is smoother when parents stay open, not rigid.
The real key? Communication. Replacing lectures with conversations, focusing more on trust than control, and understanding the pressures teens face — both at home and outside.
If you’re raising a teenager or are a bicultural teen yourself, we want to hear how your family is navigating this path. Share your voice with us here: https://shorturl.at/