Dr Prakriti Poddar, CounsellorA renowned clinical hypnotherapist, management consultant and counselor, Dr Prakriti Poddar specialises in Pre-Marital and Couple Counseling. Send your queries related to relationships issues, confidence building, getting rid of past baggage, family management, body language and emotional balance. Visit her website for more infowww.mindoverimage.com

POST A QUERY: askanexpert@shaadi.com

Query: I’ve been a member on Shaadi.com for the last two years and my profile ID is SH23168993. I’ve gone through profiles of nearly 50 girls on Shaadi.com and the response was good from both sides. But, I never got a chance to communicate much with any of them. Either the girl’s parents never replied to my mails or they never bothered to call back and take things ahead. In some cases, the girl had high expectations from her partner. Though we’re living in the 21st century, some people just haven’t changed. The girl’s family mostly thinks the richer the guy the more secure their daughter will be after marriage. In this case, I would like to broaden my search for girls outside India. But, not many foreigners want to marry an Indian man and settle down in India. Please help.
- Alok Dutt

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti : I went through your profile and I think it’s quite detailed. I’m sorry that you’re going through so much trouble in finding the right partner. You will come across a lot of cases that don’t match with your profile. After all, the person you’re supposed to be with will be one in a million who completely fits your bill. Expectations are generally high when you’re looking for a life partner. Especially, in case of a girl, who is suddenly going to enter a whole new world. Some kind of sacrifice and adjustments will have to be made from both end’s. Moreover, to make the transition easy, people just want to be sure that the match is secure on all frontiers. For the girl and her parents, they have to be completely sure that you’re the right person for their daughter. This doesn’t change in the 21st century. As far as your financial stability goes, it’s something that is going to be taken into account. Remember, the three most important components of a marriage are: communication, sex/intimacy and financial security. Communication happens via emails or over the phone and if there is a break down in that, there’s very little chance of future success. Lastly, as far as your search for a women from overseas is concerned, you’ll have to direct the mail to customer care. However, in my experience, most women who are born and brought up abroad would find it extremely difficult to settle down in Pune. (Unless, of course we are talking about love marriage). So, you need to first know your expectations. Make a list of pros and cons, likes and dislikes, wants and requirements, etc. Then, check for feasibility and finally position your expectations in line with the type of life partner you’re looking for.

Query: I’m a Shaadi.com member and I’ve managed to find a guy on the website. I live in the U.K, while my parent’s are put up in UAE. The guy resides in the US and his parent’s live in India. We talk over the phone everyday and this has been going on for the last three weeks. We also have webcam chats over the weekend. We’ve decided to meet up in person in December, however after talking to my parents and friends it seemed December is too late, so I proposed to meet in October for three days. He’s asked for some time to think about it. I will be flying to the US to see him if he agrees, as it will be easier for me to apply for a US visa. 
Also, I’ll be visiting India for a holiday in December with my parents. If our first meeting in October is successful, we could catch up again in December possibly for a week. Is it ok to talk to him over the phone daily until we meet? What if he denies to meet in October, shall I continue talking to him? I am not sure as to how long we should continue to date/talk. Is there any time limit for dating, until he proposes to me? Please advice me what to do.
- Rupal Prabhudas

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti : Since you have found someone on Shaadi.com and both of you are on the website, it means the two of you are looking for a life partner. Remember, Shaadi.com is not a dating site. Why is he hesitant in meeting up in October? Does he feel that he will be rushed into making a decision? You need to make it clear to him that the October meeting is just a personal introduction and nothing more than that. Men sometimes fear rapid decisions. Meeting him face-to-face is a good idea, as the proximity will make things clear to both of you. As far as talking on the phone goes, there’s nothing wrong in that. The more you get to know him, the better it is for the two of you. Remember, the type of conversation you need to strike should only be based on getting to know each other better. You could share personal information, likes and dislikes, daily events, beliefs and aspirations, etc. Steer away from talking about sexual escapades. I suppose, if nothing works out till December, you should discontinue talking to him, as it won’t be leading anywhere. Keep your options open till the time you don’t find the right match Rupal.

Query: I’ve been a member on Shaadi.com for more than 4-5 months and I recently became a  paid member. My member ID is SH38383264. I have expressed interest in many profiles, but none of them have showed interest in me and some of them have declined my interest. I understand that everybody has certain expectations from their life partner, but I just want to know what is lacking in my profile? The way I’ve created my profile, is that wrong? I did be thankful to you if you could go through my profile once and help me improve.
- Nishant

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti : I did go through your profile and there seems to be no problem in it at all. I think, you should add more about my family. You have to be patient when it comes to searching for a life partner. It doesn’t happen in just a few months. After all, you need to spend the rest of your life with that special someone. So, please keep your options open and explore your patience while you continue to look out for the right match.

Query: I met a guy on Shaadi.com and he seems to be a nice person. He’s settled in Canada, while I live in the Far East. He wants to meet up at a place that’s convenient for both of us. So, he finally thought of Turkey. I come from a modern, yet traditional family and I’ve told him that being an Indian, my family expects the man to make an effort to come to my country. But, he thinks otherwise. I can’t travel without my family and don’t want to go against them. What should I do? Please help.
- Rhonda (name changed)

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti : I can understand your apprehension about travelling such a great distance to meet a relative stranger. No matter how modern you are, the fact is that it is not appropriate to travel that far to meet someone who may be a potential partner, unless you do know him and have dated before. Unfortunately, you do not know him well enough to trust what comes across on the internet. Yes, he may be a great guy, but your guess is as good as mine. It’s always better to play it safe. You can travel as long as you take a family member along with you. (Your sister, brother or parent) Of course, when you meet him you can meet him alone. So, do not travel on your own without your parent’s permission. Think of the worst case scenario and hope for the best. On the other hand, it is not fair to have him fly all the way down to the Far East. You could meet somewhere where it’s convenient for both of you. But, going on an independent holiday with a stranger is not the most intelligent thing to do. You will of course, have to get your parents to understand his point of view as well.

Query: My girlfriend has pursued M.Tech in IT, whereas I’m a B.A. graduate. I’m also pursuing MBA from distance learning and managing my business at the same time. My height and weight is not that great, so my girlfriend doesn’t feel attracted towards me. She wants her partner to be an engineer, settled in Delhi because she lives in Delhi, while I’m based in Ahmedabad. What should I do to attract her? Please help!
- Ravi Arora

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: It seems you are pursuing the wrong girl. Why are you calling her your ‘girlfriend’? Is there an indication that you are dating or is it just that you are friends over long distance? There’s nothing you can do about your height and if she doesn’t like you because she has some height fixation, you should just stop thinking about her. If you have extra weight on you, work towards getting healthier and fitter. It’s more attractive to the opposite sex and better for you. To me, it seems like your girlfriend is clearly telling you that she doesn’t want to pursue a relationship with you. If I was in place of you, I would call it quits and find a new partner. You need to know what you want in your partner. If you are clear about what you want, it will be easier for you to find and attract the right partner. Secondly, understand what your driving values and life’s purpose are and see if that matches your prospective partner. (In the case of your present girlfriend, it obviously doesn’t.) Also, understand that attraction is not only based on your ‘looks’ but also based on inner-self, hobbies, interests, desires, reactions, motivations, and extra-curricula’s. If a woman relates to these areas in your life, she stands a better chance in liking you. Often women find a ‘Danny De-Vito’ (American actor, comedian and director) desirable and that is because of his confidence, sense of humour and his ability to laugh at himself. More importantly, a woman finds a man very attractive when he knows how to treat her. And if a man has a complex about his looks/height/weight, etc it is an absolute turn off for attraction. So, define and work on what you need to do to be the most attractive ‘You’. Identify your gaps and fill them with the new improved Ravi. Once this is done, go out and find a link with a partner.

Query: I’m a 25-year-old guy and I like a girl who’s my age, but my parents are against our relationship. They do not want me to get married, at least for the next two years because I’m currently pursuing a PG course. I’m a doctor by profession and the girl is an engineer. We belong to different castes and that is a major issue for my parents. I’m also emotionally disturbed, as the girl’s mother passed away last year and she doesn’t have many friends to connect with. So, she’s developed a depressive attitude towards life. I have supported her and tried to bring that lost positive energy in her, but it hasn’t helped. She also feels that she is crossing her age of marriage. My parents want me to stay away from her and when I try to do that I feel a moral sense of guilt inside. I really don’t know how to make it possible or if not how to finish it without having this emotional baggage in my heart. Please give me some advice.
- Faisal

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: Statistics prove that a good marriageable age for a man is when he is stable and able to provide well for his family. Once you are at that level, nobody questions your decisions. If you are socio-economically dependent on your family, you will always feel torn in your decision because you will always need to value their decision over your own feelings. Only when you are earning, you and your spouse are capable of independent decision-making. Belonging to different castes shouldn’t be a problem, as there are a lot of inter-caste marriages that work out well. I unfortunately get a sense that you have put a lot of emotion behind this girl and this relationship, but are now beginning to feel a little drained. I know that you want to help her, but it is not your place to do so. You are not a trained professional in helping someone get out of depression. Your trying will bear no results and the outcome will make you feel low. If she is passing marriageable age and you find that there are too many blocks preventing you from getting married to her, please let her go. The emotional baggage from your heart is the ‘guilt’ and that has no place in this situation. You are not her keeper and neither do you have any contract with her. If you really are in love with her and know beyond a doubt that you want to be with her, you could and would marry her despite all the blocks. But, since that is not the impression I’m getting from your mail, and since there is so much doubt, please do not pursue it out of guilt. I suggest, she should meet up with a counselor. Here are some quick tips before she find’s a counselor:
* Separate your emotional issues/needs from hers
* If you feel any sense of guilt in not being able to help her heal, remember that it is not your issue. You are not to be blamed at all. Her depressive attitude is ‘Her Choice’
* Try to figure out what is it that attracts you towards her and what part of your personality is it fulfilling?
* The most important piece of the puzzle is forgiveness. You have to forgive yourself for walking away from her. Try to forgive your girlfriend for not being able to heal as quickly as you would like.

Query: I’m a Chef at ITC: Fortune hotel, but not highly qualified. I’m looking for a partner who’s well educated, so that our future is bright. Since, I’m not very educated, I at least want my partner to be educated and take good care of our family in the future. Could you give me some advice about how to find the right match.
- Arvind

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: Rather than looking for a partner who is highly qualified, I recommend you work on improving your professional skills. There are plenty of courses available where you could do this. The reality is that a woman is looking for someone who is more qualified than her and has a brighter future than her. You will be lucky if any woman is looking to support her partner and family. You, as the man, have to be the prime breadwinner in the family and you will have to support your family to the best of your abilities. If the woman you marry is a professional bringing in a salary, then you are in luck. However, be aware that when you have a child/children, there are chances that your wife will quit her job and be at home with her child for a few months. At that point you again will be the sole breadwinner. For a woman, love and respect go hand in hand. Women respect men who are capable and are able to support them, emotionally and financially. You won’t really be happy if you look for someone above your means. Either an equal mate or someone who is thankful for all that you can provide is what you need to sustain and fulfill a happy married life. You need to become the right match, then the perfect partner will come to you.

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Query: I’m a 24-year-old working professional from Ghaziabad. I recently broke-up with my girl friend. I’ve tried to forget her and move on, but it just seems impossible. I’ve lost trust in love. Also, my parents want me to get married, but I don’t know how the girl will turn out to be after marriage. Please guide me.
- Sumit Arya

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: The best part about relationships being unsuccessful is that you have enough data to analyze and draw up a list of things that did and didn’t work out for you. This helps you understand things that are important to you in a relationship. You first have to understand that your ex-girlfriend is not going to come back in your life. So, it’s best to forget your past. You say, you’ve tried to forget her and move on, but I don’t think so. If you had, you would have got over her by now. Did you seek counseling to get over it? There are steps involved in it:
* Talking to a professional
* Talking to your ex-girlfriend to put closure on the situation
* Writing a journal and addressing your feelings. (This helps you understand why you feel a certain way and helps you release the emotional connection you choose to maintain with your ex)
* Allowing cathartic release to take place. This may mean crying, boxing a pillow, shouting out loud (in a secluded place)
* Lessons from the experience is very important for us to realise why we went through a certain situation. Write down all the things you’ve learned, as a result of the break-up.

You need to understand that your personal development and emotional stability is the most important thing in life and if you’re not emotionally stable and happy inside, you’ll never be happy. If your cup of self love isn’t full, there’s no way that you can give your love to someone else. Start to enjoy your own company by doing things that you enjoy. Introspection is important. Losing trust in ‘love and marriage’ is an over dramatization of your feelings. You need to stop repeating that to yourself. Instead, remind yourself everyday that ‘I trust in love and marriage’. The subconscious mind will make adjustments and trap this as the new belief system. Also, how the girl will turn out to be after marriage is something that can’t be predicted, but I recommend, get to know what is really important to you and ask your prospective partner what are some of the key things that are important to her. If you match on the fundamental requirements, life is always better shared with a companion. Be open to good experiences and don’t be scared.

Query: My parent’s finalized my wedding with one of my friend’s sister two years ago. The girl and myself, we’re both from the IT industry and we talk over the phone sometimes. When it comes to meeting up, she mostly denies. I also share my feelings with her, but she doesn’t. She treats me like a friend and doesn’t want me to have any expectations from her before marriage. This kind of attitude upsets me. Also, I feel we’re not compatible or may be, she already has someone in her life. I’ve tried to tell her that I’m emotionally attached to her and that I feel good every time I’m with her, but she feels I’m expecting a lot from her. Please tell me what to do?
- Nikhil Das (name changed)

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: When you say ‘marriage is finalized’, does it mean that you’re engaged? This sounds like two years of just a verbal understanding with no real dating at all. How often do you two meet? Once in two months? What has caused this emotional attachment? Why is a third party causing you to feel good? Do you not feel good otherwise? You need to ensure that you’re a complete, independent, and a happy person who feels good about himself at all times first. Women want mature, confident and self-reliant men. Especially, working women prefer an equal partner. It becomes a burden when it’s one partners job to keep the other ‘happy’ or even when they are the ‘feel good’ factor in someone’s life. You are upset because you are in love with her and she treats you just as a friend. You may be right that she’s not in love at this moment, but just because your marriage has been fixed doesn’t mean that the emotions have to flow immediately. At least, one thing is clear and that is, this girl is honest and upfront and doesn’t lie about her feelings. Hence, there’s no pretending that she is in love. It is possible that she may allow love to happen in the safety confines of a marriage. By a quick analysis of her character she seems candid enough. It’s best to ask her if she’s dating someone else? Do you feel she won’t tell you? Ask her if she really wants to marry you or is it the family pressure? Lay all your cards on the table. Do not guess and second guess or ask a third party. Talk to her directly. Your emotional attachment has happened too fast and too soon. I suggest, you seek some professional help for that. Here are some introspection tips:
* Recognize that you have a problem. I can see that there’s one, as there has been no basis for you to feel so deeply for this person, since she hasn’t given you any reason what-so-ever. Acknowledge this first.
* Identify what you’re good at and what makes you different from others. What are some of your greatest pro’s. Focus on it for a while everyday, so that it can help raise your self-esteem.
* Go slow. If she wants to hold off till marriage, try to honor that. Don’t spend all day thinking about her or wondering why she isn’t thinking about you as much, because this is not a battle of who wins the needy race. Remember, she has her own life and she is free to live it. She’s not compelled to act the way you want/expect her too. Slow down your expectations.
* In fact, make sure your expectations are realistic. This girl has not dated you, so how can she be in love with you? It obviously wasn’t love at first sight, so why are you expecting her to react like that. Look at the real situation Nikhil to avoid self-inflicted pain.
* Give her space to grow and come to you at her own pace. Don’t try to rush things.
Find out the main cause of why you have fallen so deeply in love with the girl. Also, find out why you are expecting so much in return.
* Change your focus from her to other things that you like doing.
*  Develop your interests and personality.

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Query: I’m a Shaadi.com member and needed some advice on finding the right match for my daughter who’s living with hepatitis B positive? Her ID is SH95735863. Please help!
- Aparna

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: I can understand your frustration regarding the slow progress of your daughter’s profile, however the chances of someone wanting a partner who is Hepatitis B positive will be slim. I’m sure you are well aware of the facts of the various ways in which it can be transmitted to another party. However, on her profile, the Hep B is not mentioned, so it cannot be the cause of you not finding a suitable match for your daughter. Sometimes, getting the right click takes long. If you’re generating interest and when things seem to be working out, you talk to them about your daughter having Hep B. It is not something that should be kept hidden or under wraps. Not only is the partner at risk in this case, but also the child in the future. This is not an easy journey, so please brace yourself and be patient.

Query: I registered on Shaadi.com a year ago. I’m currently working in Bhopal and my family is based in Surat. My parents had an inter-caste marriage. My dad is Hindu Brahmin, whereas my mom is Muslim and I think this is one reason, why I’m unable to find the right match. Could you please give me some advice about how to find a suitable partner?
- Aman Bhardwaj

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: When a woman is looking for a man on a matrimonial website, she’ll definitely take a good look at your profile. If you feel your parents inter-caste marriage is  an issue, make sure everything else is good in your profile. If you are liberal in your religious views, chances are you will find a woman who is liberal as well. Also, the girl has to like the city, after all she has to settle down with you. This also means that she is giving up her career and in most cases, moving to a new city. She has to feel confident that you can provide her with adequate emotional and financial support. Emotional support would mean that your lifestyle, interests, friend circle, education, etc must be in sync with what she requires. On the other hand, the woman should also feel financially secure. She should be convinced that you’ll be able to take care of her and the kids in the future. So, focus and enhance those qualities in life as well as on your profile and you are sure to attract a very compatible partner.

Query: I’m from Africa and I quite like Indian women. But, I don’t understand why is it taking me so long to find the right match in India. What do Indian women actually look for in men? Could you please guide me.
- Moses

Expert Advice by Dr Prakriti: Women in India are more likely to first look for their own ethnic group and their own religious background and sometimes, even their own caste. Once that search is exhausted, only then do they start looking beyond that. So, you need to be patient. Moving to another country can be quite overwhelming for some of the young prospects. Unfortunately, the wait is inevitable. In the meantime, focus on putting everything else in place. Sometimes, you can jump the queue if everything else is in order. When I say everything else, I mean:
* Your intelligence: work, interests and ability to make money
* Your social skills: hobbies, friends, etc
* Your religious and spiritual views
* Your family structure
Women need to be sure that you’re advanced enough in your career to be able to provide resources more adequately. Therefore, intelligence can go a long way. Women need to be reassured that the man they are with, will be able to understand them better. So, if all this is in place, you may not have to wait too long to find a good mate.

The birds and the bees, gay marriages and divorce… there’s no easy way to bring up sensitive topics with your children, but it must be done. Henna Achhpal and Rhea Dhanbhoora talk to a few experts who tell us the right (and least awkward) way to go about it…

Mommy, where do babies come from?” Yes, you’ve dodged the question in the past, made up some cutesy way to describe the situation or used the standard “I’ll tell you when you get older line.” Sadly, “older” catches up with most of us sooner or later. However, talking about certain issues that are sensitive or awkward is a must and it should be done before your children start picking up wrong information from television, the internet or peers. We talk to Madhavi Sheth, Counselling Psychologist at Solutions Counselling Centre and Dr. Prakriti Poddar a Personal Counsellor from Mind Over Image Consulting, to help us handle the various situations we find ourselves in as mothers to growing children…

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES
Sex is a topic that both, parents and children dread discussing. While some parents like to pretend that sex doesn’t exist, children prefer to get all their information from friends or the world wide web. However, no matter how awkward, it’s important for parents to have the ‘sex talk’ with their children.

Dr. Prakriti explains, “Times have changed and children are now exposed to sex at a much earlier age through movies, television and even music. They aren’t as curious anymore as it’s not something hidden that needs to be explored.” However, knowledge and information is not all says Dr. Prakriti, “A healthy attitude towards sex is what a parent’s goal should be. If you connect sex to love and as a means to express love, your children are more likely to grow up with a healthy attitude towards sexuality.” Discussing it earlier will benefit them greatly because they’ll get the information from you rather than an unreliable outside source. Madhavi says, “Be sure not to approach them out of the blue or when they’re feeling vulnerable. Instead make it a casual discussion and start by asking about their friends and life in general.”

GENDER ISSUES
Another important thing to keep in mind before discussing sex with your child is that the way you talk to your daughter will be different from how you approach your son regarding the topic. Madhavi says, “Sex is more emotional for girls whereas it’s more of a physical feeling for boys.” She continues, “It is best that mothers delicately discuss sex with their daughters when they hit puberty and mentally prepare them for their first menstrual cycle. Fathers should have the talk with their sons when you begin to notice that they have become more conscious of their looks and appearance.”

TOUCH ME NOT
No matter how vigilant you are with your children, certain things can go unnoticed for a long time. Often children don’t come up to parents and talk about any kind of inappropriate behaviour because they’re scared, uncomfortable or simply not aware of what’s happening. Thus, it’s extremely important for parents to encourage children to confide in them and explain to them what a “right” touch and a “wrong” touch is. Dr. Prakriti says, “You must make your children aware at an early stage, so that they don’t shut down with the burden of shame.” Make it something that’s easy and open to discuss instead of something taboo. Madhavi suggests, “When they’re young, parents must explain to their children that some parts on their body are private and they shouldn’t allow anyone to touch them there. This can be done during activities such as bathing.” Both boys and girls should be aware of the danger of predators.

HAPPY AND GAY
With society becoming more tolerant towards the LGBT community and as they express their personalities in all their glory, your child is bound to be left confused and wondering. Thus, it’s time to open your children to the possibility of gay marriages apart from the ‘natural’ marriage that they have seen with you and your husband. Dr. Prakriti says, “If sex is taught to be an expression of love, then most children won’t question a person’s gender preference.” However, Madhavi advises, “The ideal way to discuss homosexuality with your child is to let them know that there is nothing unusual about it and give them a scientific understanding rather than one filled with prejudice.”

ADOPTION ISSUES
As most other topics, it is better to talk about adoption sooner than later. Madhavi says, “It is better for your child to hear about his or her adoption from you rather than an outside source.” Dr. Prakriti explains, “From their childhood itself, positive associations should be made about adoption and how special your child is to you.” Adoption is one of your best decisions and something you are proud of, let your child know this.

THE SPLIT
Often parents stick with each other in spite of a disturbed relationship because they’re afraid of the consequences a divorce might have on their child. However Madhavi says, “I have seen many instances where children themselves have advised parents to separate due to the trauma that constant fights have on them.” She continues, “Of course it’s a difficult time and divorce takes time to accept but the mental consequences of divorce don’t depend on the age of your child. A 30-year-old man might be more traumatised about his parents getting divorced than a 17-year-old boy. It all depends on the emotional and mental stability of your child and how prepared they are for it.” Dr. Prakriti advises, “Children grasp a situation best when it is explained to them logically. Present it simply and remember to leave aside the name calling and blame game.”

DEATH AND DYING
It’s never easy to deal with the death or terminal illness of a loved one. When your child starts questioning what happened, explaining it to them is even harder. Prakriti tells us that it should be the same as dealing with a divorce, both practically as well as logically. “Displaying emotions burdens the child. If you break down in front of your child, they will involuntarily decide that they need to be stronger and will be unable to vent causing major psychological problems in the long run. Allow your child to express his or her emotions so that they are released,” she explains.

HARSH REALITIES
Gone are the days when you could let your child live in the world of Santa and tooth fairies. With exposure to television and the internet, news of harsh realities such as terrorism and mass violence are all over, making it difficult for you to shield and protect your little ones. Prakriti says an easy approach is to draw inspiration from cartoons and fairytales. “Kids watch cartoons and read stories about good and evil all the time. They understand the difference between the good guy and the bad guy. Make current affairs into story time so that they are abreast with current issues but aren’t under the notion that it’s a big bad world out there,” says Prakriti.

TALK TO ME
You’ve decided to talk about these sensitive topics with your child, but what if they don’t reciprocate the same? Madhavi says, “Discussing sensitive topics should never be sudden but rather a continuous process.” If you suddenly go up to your child and ask them what’s bothering them, they will not open up to you. Instead they might push you away in spite of your best interests. Thus, Madhavi suggests, “Whenever you find your child upset, casually ask them if you could help in anyway. If they don’t respond in a positive manner, leave them alone and don’t force yourself into their territory. If they’re ready to talk, simply listen without any judgements. Remember not to give advice unless you’re asked for it.” Dr. Prakriti says, “No child is born an uncomfortable talker. It’s the lack of communication that causes it. Start opening up to your child and they will follow suit.”

EXPERT SPEAK
“The ideal way to discuss homosexuality with your children is to let them know that there is nothing unusual about it and give them a scientific understanding rather than one filled with prejudice.”
— Madhavi Sheth, Counselling Psychologist, Solutions Counselling Centre

“If you break down in front of your child, they will decide that they need to be stronger and will be unable to vent causing psychological problems in the long run.”
— Dr. Prakriti Poddar, Personal Counsellor, Mind Over Image