“We don’t lie to our children about money”: Ankur Warikoo and his wife share 3 important parenting rules for raising independent children

August 12, 2026 - 21:17

Parenting is often about the small decisions that repeat every day: whether to buy the toy a child is demanding, whether to step in when they are struggling, or how parents behave when they disagree with each other. For entrepreneur and author Ankur Warikoo and his wife, these moments are guided by a few clear principles. In a recent conversation, they shared three rules they follow at home, and the first one is simple: they do not lie to their children about money.

That means no hiding the fact that a purchase requires planning, and no pretending that money grows on trees. If a child asks why they cannot get something, the answer is honest, even if it is uncomfortable. The second rule is about letting children face the consequences of their own choices. Instead of rushing to fix every problem, they let their kids sit with the outcome, whether it is a lost toy or a forgotten homework assignment. The third rule involves modeling behavior. Children watch how parents handle stress, disagreement, and disappointment. So the couple tries to be mindful of what they say and do in front of them, knowing that kids absorb more from actions than from lectures.

These rules are not about being strict or cold. They are about building a foundation where children learn to think for themselves, understand the value of effort, and feel safe enough to make mistakes. Warikoo notes that the goal is not to raise perfect kids, but to raise kids who can handle the real world without needing someone else to fix everything for them. It is a reminder that independence is not something you hand to a child. It is something you let them practice, a little bit every day, even when it is easier to step in.