Namita Thapar Urges Work-Life Balance After Watching Netflix’s Adolescence

Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a familiar face from Shark Tank India, has ignited an important conversation on parenting and mental health after watching the Netflix series Adolescence. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post titled “MY TAKE ON PARENTING”, Thapar reflected on the emotional toll of long working hours and how they may lead to unintended consequences on children.

As a mother to two teenage boys aged 19 and 14, Thapar shared her deep emotional reaction to the series, drawing parallels between the challenges faced by the show’s characters and her own parenting journey. “Adolescence on Netflix & 70 hr work week – a correlation & evidence-based opinion. As a parent of teens… this show stirred something deep in me,” she wrote.

“Kids Are Fragile”: Thapar Opens Up on Emotional Neglect

Thapar highlighted a core issue often overlooked in busy households—children internalising their parents’ expectations and feeling inadequate when they fail to meet them. “Kids are fragile. They idolise their parents… if they feel they are not living up to the parents’ expectations… they have massive pent-up negativity,” she explained.

According to Thapar, this emotional weight often manifests in two dangerous paths: self-destructive behavior or aggression. She stressed that while parents may have good intentions, the emotional scars they leave behind can last for years.

Recalling her own childhood, Thapar shared personal stories about how her mother, with good intentions, pushed her into singing and Kathak classes to make her “more feminine.” Similarly, her father’s decision to move her to a “better” school left her feeling “ashamed.” These experiences led to prolonged struggles with low self-esteem and emotional eating. “I recovered, got stronger. Not everyone does…” she noted poignantly.

“Confidence is the Best Gift”

Thapar advocated for a different parenting approach rooted in the principles of The Self-Driven Child, a popular book on empowering children. Her advice? “Detach. Stop trying to fix things… but over communicate… the ‘I’m proud of you’ part being most important. Confidence is the best gift you can give your child.”

She ended her post with a firm message against the glorification of overwork: “Say NO to 70-hour weeks or if you want that life, say NO to being a parent!”

LinkedIn Reacts: “We Need More Voices Like This”

Thapar’s candid post resonated with professionals and parents alike, sparking a flurry of emotional reactions on LinkedIn. One user called it “raw and relatable,” while another praised her vulnerability and openness. A parent wrote, “This made me rethink how I speak to my son,” and a working mother added, “Balancing work and kids feels impossible some days. This was needed.”

Another comment summed up the sentiment best: “So few leaders talk about parenting. Respect.”

As work-life balance continues to be a growing concern in India’s fast-paced corporate culture, Thapar’s reflections have opened a crucial dialogue—one that merges professional ambition with emotional responsibility at home.

Sources By Agencies

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