‘Toughest for me’: Father reveals strict stance for daughter while sending her to hostel; LinkedIn reacts

‘Toughest for me’: Father’s Strict Hostel Rule Goes Viral on LinkedIn

Theindiapostdaily.com – Toughest for me — that’s how Rohit Gupta described his decision to send his daughter to boarding school. The Co-Founder and COO of CollegeVidya.com recently shared an emotional post on LinkedIn, revealing he would not speak to his daughter for two weeks. This strict stance has now captured attention across social media platforms.

Gupta anticipated criticism and addressed it directly in his post. He asked readers to hear him out first before passing judgment. Last week, he dropped his daughter off at a boarding school, marking a significant milestone in both their lives.

A Father’s Difficult Decision

Alongside the LinkedIn post, an image showed his daughter smiling confidently. She stood outside a building with her luggage, wearing a black jersey and white trousers. She flashed a peace sign towards the camera, while a large grey suitcase stood beside her, tagged and ready for the journey ahead.

He knew what emotional impact this would have. So, the day before, he took her out for a special outing. They watched the new Spider-Man movie, Brand New Day, together. Afterwards, Gupta returned home and made an announcement that surprised everyone. He told his family he would not call her. This decision would hold for 15 days straight.

The response at home was far from positive. Nobody supported his decision. His family initially revolted against the arrangement. Despite this, Gupta explained his reasoning further. He had lived through boarding school himself and understood the process firsthand.

“Every call from home will pull her back one step. She has to make her own friends there. Her own routine. And her own small world,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

“If I keep calling her, she will keep wanting to come back. As a father, the next fifteen days are going to be the toughest for me. But this is for her future,” he added. He reflected on lessons learned through his own upbringing, admitting to learning this lesson the wrong way round.

“Being there for the people who matter is easy. Staying away and letting them stand is the hard part. Nobody claps for that one,” he wrote. Gupta ended his post with a reflective question that resonated with many.

Parents and Professionals React

The post has resonated with many parents online. Even those who are not parents reacted to it with personal stories. “My mother stopped talking to me for three months after I quit my civil engineering job. She spoke again the day I got into St. Xavier’s, Mumbai. Those three months were her way of wanting the best for me,” wrote one social media user.

Another user shared, “My parents didn’t give in to buying me everything I fancied, even when it was totally affordable. I’m doing the same with my kids now, and I’m so thankful they instilled that mindset in me.”

One user replied with a longer reflection: “One thing I would definitely thank my parents for is that they only gave us what was needed, like really needed — there was always a limit. I used to hate it back then (okay, I do hate it now on days) because it somehow forced me also to think small & mediocre.”

“But, on days when I have only two cents left in your pockets, that same habit makes me humble, cut down on my extra things and be okay with that. Just okay and survive enough until you make it back,” the user added.

Another comment highlighted a different perspective: “My mother used to teach me and thrash me black and blue for not understanding the concepts in mathematics. That time I used to feel very bad, but lately, when I entered my profession, I understood that those thrashings were blessings in disguise for me that taught me to remain calm under heavy pressure, have patience in life and try things again and again once they fail.”

FAQ: Strict Parenting and Hostel Life

Why do parents set strict rules when sending children to hostel?

Parents often establish strict boundaries to help children develop independence. When parents maintain distance, children are forced to build their own social circles, routines, and problem-solving skills without relying on home support.

How long should parents stay away after sending a child to boarding school?

Most experts recommend 10-15 days as an ideal period. This timeframe allows children to settle in without feeling abandoned, while also preventing them from constantly wanting to return home.

What are the benefits of strict parenting according to adults?

Many adults credit strict parenting with developing resilience, patience, and the ability to handle pressure. These qualities often translate into professional success and emotional maturity in adulthood.

For more insights on parenting and education, visit Livemint Trends.