#21: The Weekend Dad: Balancing Work, Play, and Parenthood, ft. Amit Chhabra

Parenting isn’t just about being there 24/7—it’s about how you show up. In this deeply insightful, funny, and emotional episode, Amit Chhabra joins Neha to share his experiences as a weekend dad and how he balances a demanding corporate career with fatherhood.

Amit jokingly calls himself a "hands-off father"—someone who doesn’t spend as much time with his daughter, Anya, on weekdays due to work. But what he lacks in daily hours, he makes up for with intentional weekends filled with activities, sports, and shared laughter. From coaching Anya through competitive skating to traveling with a four-month-old at 14,000 feet, Amit’s parenting journey is packed with moments of discipline, growth, and pure joy.

Expect candid confessions, hilarious travel mishaps, and deep reflections on fatherhood, marriage, and the evolving dynamics of modern parenting.

Why You Should Listen:

• If you’re a working parent struggling with guilt, this episode is for you.
• If you believe in raising disciplined, resilient kids, you’ll love Amit’s philosophy.
• If you love travel & parenting stories, you’ll enjoy the crazy experiences Amit shares.
• If you’re wondering how parenthood changes marriage, Amit keeps it real.

References and Resources Mentioned:

Parenting & Education

• BabyCenter – The parenting resource Amit and Kavya relied on in Anya’s early years.
• Modern schools & changing discipline – Amit observes that schools today are more lenient, allowing kids to slack off, unlike his own strict schooling.
• Nat Geo & Discovery – Amit’s failed attempt at making Anya interested in educational TV instead of YouTube.

Pop Culture & Fun Mentions

• Elon Musk, Shahrukh Khan & Donald Trump – Amit humorously says kids idolize their fathers in the same way people idolize public figures.
• Universal Studios Singapore – The moment Amit realized that theme parks > nature trips for Anya.
• Crazy Talks & Baingan Ka Bharta – Amit & Anya’s fun tradition of making silly rhymes about food.

Sports & Parenting

• National Skating Championships – Anya qualified but didn’t win a medal. Amit is proud of her resilience.
• Table Tennis – Amit was a national-level player in school and believes sports teaches discipline.

Travel Stories & Mishaps

• Nathula Pass, Sikkim – A 14,000-foot adventure gone wrong (oxygen scare).
• Rann of Kutch, Gujarat – The monitor lizard incident in their tent.
• Seychelles – A crow stole baby Anya’s food from her pram.
• Kruger National Park, South Africa – When Amit & Kavya were mesmerized by lions… while Anya colored in her book.

About the Guest:

Amit Chhabra is a corporate leader, adventure-loving traveler, and devoted father to 8-year-old Anya. By weekday, he’s a busy professional; by weekend, he’s a hands-on dad, making the most of every moment through sports, travel, and shared laughter. A former national-level table tennis player, Amit believes in instilling resilience and discipline in kids through experiences. From skating lessons to road trips gone wrong (but memorable!), his parenting journey is filled with heart, humor, and wisdom.

Follow Amit:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitchhabra7/

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