Lessons from Parenting: My Journey with Maanvi and Jiya

Parenting a child is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs any adult can have. It can be tough, it can be scary, but seeing the kind of human your child becomes will make you prouder than anything in the world.

My Journey Into Parenting

When my husband and I became parents, we were on our own. No big support system. No family guidance. Just instinct, love, and a whole lot of trial and error.

By the time my first daughter, Maanvi, was born, I had already cut ties with my side of the family. Honestly, I didn’t want to raise my kids the way I was raised—but I still wished for someone to guide me, to tell me I was doing okay, or to help when I made mistakes.

The Early Days With Maanvi

The first six months of Maanvi’s life were full of lessons. Some of the mistakes I made back then still affect her today, even though she’s 11 now.

As a newborn, Maanvi didn’t seem to know when she was full. Most babies stop drinking milk when they’re done—Maanvi didn’t. I was told to increase her milk little by little as she finished her bottles, but she always finished them. Before I knew it, she was drinking 8–9 ounces every few hours at less than 3 months old.

Her tiny tummy couldn’t handle that much, so she threw up often. Doctors said it was colic. It wasn’t until a hospital visit months later that I learned I’d been overfeeding her. I adjusted her feeds and things improved, but the early months had already taken a toll.

Even now, Maanvi struggles with overeating and has a sensitive gag reflex. She can easily throw up when she’s anxious, stressed, or too full. At this point, it doesn’t alarm us—it’s just how her body reacts. We comfort her and move on.

But if Jiya, her little sister, ever throws up? Total panic. Jiya rarely gets sick—maybe five times in her seven years—so it’s always a big deal.

Raising Jiya: A Whole New Challenge

Now, Jiya… she’s a whole different story. Strong-willed, independent, fearless, and fiery. She’s the kind of kid who will push back just to see how far she can go.

When she was two, she once pushed a child three times her age who tried to scare her. At four, she drew on the wall—ten minutes after I’d told her not to. She even did it behind the kitchen door where she thought I couldn’t see.

That day, I lost it. I almost raised my hand at her—almost.

I’d promised myself I’d never hit my children. I saw the damage that caused when I was younger, and I swore I’d break that cycle. So instead, I put her in a timeout where I could still see her feet from the next room and took a breath.

That’s when I realized something huge: I couldn’t parent Jiya the same way I parented Maanvi.

Different Kids, Different Rules

Maanvi was easy. Calm, obedient, peaceful. The kind of child who stopped having tantrums after one serious talk. Parenting her felt effortless.

Jiya, though, tests me every single day. She’s defiant, clever, and sometimes… too smart for her own good. The girl could win an Oscar for how convincingly she lies with a straight face.

But I don’t punish her for lying. I know getting angry will only make her better at hiding things. Instead, I encourage honesty. I teach her that:

1. The truth always comes out.
2. Actions have consequences.
3. Mum always finds out.

Over time, it’s worked—slowly. She’s becoming more honest, though the temptation to bend the truth still shows up.

The Truth About Parenting

Parenting these two girls has been the wildest, hardest, and most beautiful journey of my life.

I’ve been at every school event, every church service, every movie day. I’ve done more for them than my mum ever did for me—and that alone makes me proud.

Parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about learning, adjusting, and loving your kids even when they test every nerve in your body.

And seeing Maanvi and Jiya thrive—their awards, their smiles, the way others praise their kindness—reminds me that every late night, every worry, every tear was worth it.

Because in the end, watching your kids grow into amazing little humans is the best reward in the world.