#42: Motherhood, Presence, and the Beauty of Imperfect Parenting, ft. Dharini Bhaskar

In Episode 42, award-winning author Dharini Bhaskar takes us on an intimate, witty, and heartwarming journey into the realities of parenting. From the emotional mirror that motherhood holds up to us, to the power of presence over perfection, Dharini shares unfiltered reflections drawn from her own experiences as a mother and storyteller.

We talk about the pressures of curated “perfect parenting,” decoding children’s needs behind tantrums, building a reading culture at home, and learning from your child as much as you teach them.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance work, creativity, and parenting without losing your sense of self — or how to simply be present in the whirlwind — this episode is for you.

🎧 Why You Should Listen

• To hear authentic, relatable parenting stories from a celebrated author who isn’t afraid to admit her vulnerabilities.
• To explore practical shifts that can make parenting less exhausting and more joyful.
• To understand why children can be our greatest teachers, and how to learn from them in daily life.
• To discover how books and storytelling can shape a child’s emotional world.
• To be reminded that you’re not alone in the mess, the guilt, or the magic of parenthood.

💬 Notable Quotes from Dharini

• "Motherhood is like being handed a mirror you didn’t ask for – and suddenly it reflects every joy, every insecurity, every hidden corner of yourself."
• "Sometimes the best parenting strategy is to take a deep breath, count to ten, and remember that you’re raising a child, not curating an Instagram feed."
• "Children have this incredible ability to forgive you before you’ve even forgiven yourself."
• "The day I stopped chasing balance and started chasing presence, parenting became a lot less exhausting."
• "Parenthood isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about showing your child how to live with the questions."

🛠️ Practical Takeaways for Listeners

• Chase presence, not perfection — Your child values your attention more than your ability to “do it all.”
• Decode tantrums with empathy — Most meltdowns hide basic needs: rest, food, or emotional reassurance.
• Lead by example — Children remember how you live, not what you lecture.
• Make reading a family ritual — Books can act as companions, mentors, and emotional anchors.
• Accept imperfection — Mess and mistakes are part of the learning journey for both parent and child.

Resources and References

Dharini Bhaskar’s Books:

• These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light: These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light : Bhaskar, Dharini: Amazon.in: Books
• Like Being Alive Twice: Like Being Alive Twice : Bhaskar, Dharini: Amazon.in: Books

Connect with Dharini:

• Instagram: @dharinibhaskar
• Author Page: Penguin India Profile

Listen to More Episodes of Parenthoot with Neha:

• Spotify: Parenthoot with Neha
• Apple Podcasts: Parenthoot with Neha

👩🏽‍🎨 About the Guest

Dharini Bhaskar is an acclaimed Indian author whose debut novel, These, Our Bodies, Possessed by Light, was shortlisted for the JCB Prize for Literature. Known for her lyrical prose and deep emotional insight, Dharini’s writing explores identity, relationships, and the intricacies of human connection. Beyond her literary work, she is a mother navigating the joys and challenges of raising a young child, and she brings this lived experience into her reflections on parenting. Dharini is a passionate advocate for the role of stories — both told and lived — in shaping who we are.

💬 Join the Conversation

🔔 Review & Subscribe: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and family!

💖 Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthootwithneha/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parenthoot/

☕ Support Us: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}