Sadhguru Urges Parents Become Companions not Commanders with Children

In today’s rapidly changing world, the traditional parent-child dynamic is undergoing a major shift. Spiritual leader Sadhguru reminds us that the role of a parent is less about authority and more about companionship. According to him, your influence on a child’s life used to be 60-70 % when exposure outside the home was limited, but now it’s dropped to around 30 % because of schools, friends and digital media.

He argues that when parents think of themselves as bosses, children will naturally seek friends instead to share, connect and open up. The key, he says, is to foster friendship to play with your kids, listen, be present rather than lean heavily on control and authority. In fact, Sadhguru recounts a story of a worried father asking about his four-year-old daughter’s exam preparation, and he responded sharply about misplaced priorities and the fundaments of parenting.

The underlying message: Children don’t “come from” you in the sense of being your possessions; they “come through” you. Being a companion means recognising their individuality, connecting emotionally, and guiding subtly rather than dictating. These days, external influences are strong, so what you bring as a parent needs to be trust, presence and friendship.

For parents reading this, the takeaway is clear: Re-evaluate your stance. Are you acting like a boss who sets rules and expects obedience? Or are you opening channels of friendship, building trust, and creating a safe emotional space? In a world of distractions and alternative role models, being that friend may well make the difference in how your child engages, trusts and grows.