In this episode of The Good Parent, we have Dr. Shakuntala David in conversation with Shailja Dutt. Dr. David opens up about why 25% of Indian teenagers are experimenting with substances, what parents get wrong when they catch their teen, and the exact questions to ask instead of "why."

She shares real cases from Delhi, Mumbai, and Gurgaon from first experimentation to addiction and explains why boundaries explained are more powerful than rules announced.

The episode raises a question every parent quietly carries: is my teen's substance use a phase or a crisis?About the Guest:

Dr. Shakuntala David is a management trainer, family counselor, and life coach specializing in teenage behavior, family dynamics, and addiction. She works with families across India navigating substance abuse, peer pressure, and identity development in their teens.

What we discuss in this episode:

1.Why teenagers experiment with drugs and alcohol

2.What to do the first time you catch your teen using | ask "what," never "why"

3.How to talk about substance abuse at age 10-12 | before peer pressure hits

4.When experimentation becomes addiction | stages and warning signs

5.Teenage identity development | why it matters for preventionHow to build communication before crisis hits

About the Hosts:

Shailja Dutt is the Founder of Stellar Search & LimeLitt, an entrepreneur, mentor, and mother of two boys. Manoj Kohli is the former CEO of Airtel, a devoted father of two daughters, and a deeply involved grandfather.

Connect with The Good Parent:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodparent/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-parent-podcast/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vXzFzO5B2HbkBAahyCXzx Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-good-parent/id6784175945

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/c6d53a2c-5c5b-4c1c-ad22-89d207976f44/the-good-parent

Timestamps:

00:00 | Introduction

01:12 | Why Do Teenagers Experiment With Substances? 05:16 | What to Do When You Catch Your Teen Using

09:03 | Peer Pressure, Money & Access

14:58 | Teenage Identity Development & Boundaries

28:38 | Addiction vs. Experimentation - When to Seek Help 40:00 | Impact on Family & Siblings

45:00 | Final Advice for Parents Raising Teens Today

#TheGoodParent #ParentingPodcast #TeenSubstanceAbuse #DrShakuntalaaDavid #IndianParents #TeenDrugAbuse #PositiveParenting #ParentingAdvice #MentalHealth #FamilyValues

In this episode of The Good Parent, Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli address real questions parents have about discipline, consistency, honesty, and fostering trust in their children. What sets this episode apart is the absence of a "right way" to parent. Instead, it features authentic discussions about what truly works, where parents often falter, and why fear can be more damaging than beneficial.The episode covers common dilemmas faced by parents: How can you prevent your child from pitting one parent against the other? Should you concede in food battles or continue to fight? Is it more important to have perfect grades or to raise a child who tells the truth? How can you manage grandparents who disregard your rules without causing family conflict? Manoj and Shailja delve into answers that feel less like parenting theory and more like real conversations from parents who have experienced these challenges firsthand.About the Hosts: Shailja Dutt, the founder of Stellar Search & LimeLitt, is an entrepreneur, mentor, and mother of two boys. Manoj Kohli, the former CEO of Airtel, is a devoted father of two daughters and an engaged grandfather. Together, they host The Good Parent, facilitating honest conversations about modern parenting in our digital age.Connect with The Good Parent:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodparent/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-parent-podcast/Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/6vXzFzO5B2HbkBAahyCXzx?si=250675e79a394b4dApple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-good-parent/id6784175945Amazon Music Podcasts : https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/c6d53a2c-5c5b-4c1c-ad22-89d207976f44/the-good-parentTimestamps:00:00 | Introduction01:12 | Q1: Smart Child or Inconsistent Parents?01:58 | Q2: The Food Battle (Noodles Every Day)04:45 | Q3: Honesty Over Marks06:36 | Q4: The Broken Thing & The Lie08:54 | Q5: Grandparents & Boundaries14:38 | Final Thoughts on Discipline That Works#TheGoodParent #ParentingPodcast #Discipline #Honesty #ParentingQA #IndianParents #ParentingTips #RaisingKids #FamilyValues #ShailjaDutt #ManjKohli #ParentingAdvice #Boundaries #ChildBehavior #RealParenting

In this episode of The Good Parent, Shailja Dutt and Manoj Kohli sit down with a question every parent has asked themselves in the middle of a crowded mall: why does my child behave perfectly one day and completely fall apart the next?The answer, more often than not, has less to do with discipline and more to do with consistency. Children feel safer when they know what to expect from us. When bedtime keeps shifting, when one parent says yes while the other says no, when the rules depend on how tired or busy we are that daychildren lose track of where the boundaries actually are. And that confusion usually comes out through their behaviour.In this conversation, we get honest about what consistency really means. It isn't about being strict all the time. It's about being clear on what's okay, what isn't, and responding in a way a child can understand and predict the same way from both parents, so no one becomes the "good cop" quietly undoing the other. The episode raises a question worth sitting with: what if the tantrum isn't defiance, but insecurity a child asking whether the boundary will still be there tomorrow?What we discuss in this episode:- Why difficult behaviour can sometimes come from insecurity, not defiance- How routine and predictability help children feel safe- Why consistency matters more than strictness- Why both parents need to stay aligned on boundaries- How role modelling shapes a child's behaviour more than rules do- How families can create structure without fear or controlAbout the Hosts:Shailja Dutt is the Founder of Stellar Search & LimeLitt, an entrepreneur, mentor, and mother of two boys. Manoj Kohli is the former CEO of Airtel, a devoted father of two daughters, and a deeply involved grandfather. Together they host The Good Parent honest conversations about modern parenting in a digital age.Connect with The Good Parent:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodparent/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-good-parent-podcast/Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/6vXzFzO5B2HbkBAahyCXzx?si=250675e79a394b4dApple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-good-parent/id6784175945Amazon Music Podcasts : https://music.amazon.in/podcasts/c6d53a2c-5c5b-4c1c-ad22-89d207976f44/the-good-parentChapters:0:00 | The Hidden Crisis of Discipline1:02 | The Modern Parenting Struggle3:32 | The Power of Old School Routines6:40 | Building a Foundation for Success10:31 | Nurturing Healthy Habits at Home#TheGoodParent #Parenting #PositiveParenting #IndianParents #Discipline #Consistency #Tantrums #Boundaries #RaisingGoodHumans #ParentingPodcast #ParentingTips