‘I gift my son a Ferrari every year’: Lalit Modi says his strict upbringing shaped his parenting

In an interview with ANI, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi discussed how his own strict upbringing influenced his parenting style. He revealed that his father, known for his lavish lifestyle, and his grandmother, who was very orthodox, shaped his values. Modi explained that his father and uncles were the life of the party, hosting the biggest gatherings in Delhi, while his father and uncles were more unconventional.

He emphasized that his father's strict expectations stemmed from their disapproval of anyone else's actions, leading to stricter rules for Modi compared to his siblings.

Modi recalled that his sister was married off early, and his younger brother had to study in India and get married through an arranged marriage due to his earlier behavior. When asked if he wanted his children to avoid following his path, Modi stated that he was the black sheep in his family and decided to parent differently. For instance, he famously never gave his father a Ferrari, a car he always desired.

However, he ended up gifting his own son a Ferrari every year from his 21st to his 31st birthday, as a way to break the cycle of his father not providing him with a similar gift.

Modi argued that his parenting approach differed from his own experience, as he aimed to give his children what they wanted, rather than always seeking more. He noted that his children, now adults, have a balanced approach to material possessions and are not spendthrifts. He also addressed concerns about potential entitlement in such parenting, suggesting that while material rewards can satisfy children temporarily, they may not reduce their desire for more in the long run.

Psychologist Dr. Sakshi Mandhyan agreed that childhood experiences influence adult parenting, but overcorrecting can lead to difficulties in setting boundaries. The ideal approach, according to Mandhyan, is to understand one's past, decide consciously about what to carry forward, and avoid overcorrecting by becoming too permissive.