FPJ Interview: Mansi Zaveri On Guilt-Free Parenting, Women’s Self-Worth And Balancing Career With Motherhood; VIDEO

In a deeply insightful conversation with Free Press Journal, Mansi Zaveri, Founder & CEO of Kidsstoppress.com, entrepreneur, author, and parenting coach, opens up about her personal journey, motherhood, career pivots, and the everyday choices modern women face. On the occasion of Global Day of Parents, Zaveri shares compelling insights into how Indian women can own their narrative, prioritize self-worth, and raise confident children without guilt.

Afrida Rahman Ali: Mansi, great to have you with us today. You wear many hats – entrepreneur, parenting coach, author. But I want to start with your passion project, Kidsstoppress. Was your career switch a motherhood compulsion?

Mansi Zaveri: Thank you for having me! I actually love that term – “motherhood compulsion” – but in my case, thankfully, it wasn’t. I had a thriving corporate career, but I noticed a glaring gap in the parenting space in India. Most parenting content was Western-centric and didn’t reflect our unique Indian ecosystem – joint families, house help, or even the way fathers participate. I wanted to create a platform that could empower parents to make informed choices.

Afrida: So you saw a need and filled it?

Mansi: Exactly. I started Kidsstoppress nearly a decade ago. It began as a discovery platform for products, services, education choices, and now we even host the KSP Awards to honour parenting-led brands. But at the core of it was a belief – you can’t raise a child without also raising a parent.

Afrida: That’s a powerful line. What do you mean by raising a parent?

Mansi: Everyone tells you how to raise a child, but no one tells you how to raise the parent. Motherhood is non-stop troubleshooting. And most women forget to troubleshoot for themselves. You cannot pour from an empty vessel. We must keep our cup full, emotionally, mentally, even professionally.

Afrida: But many women do leave work post motherhood, right? Isn’t that reality?

Mansi: It is. But I always say – don’t use motherhood as an excuse to end your career. Yes, the most fertile years often overlap with the most crucial career years. But especially in India, we’re better placed than most countries – we have support systems. COVID has normalized flexi-hours and WFH. If I could juggle motherhood and work 16 years ago, women today definitely can – if they choose to.

Afrida: That word – “choose” – is key. But many women feel forced to sacrifice.

Mansi: That’s true. But I urge women to not sacrifice by default. Have honest conversations with your spouse. Share responsibilities not by gender, but by strengths. I do English and history homework, my husband does chemistry. Plan your careers so both partners can succeed without either becoming invisible.

Afrida: You also said you had your kids early. Would you recommend that?

Mansi: Wholeheartedly. I had my first child at 27. And now, seeing girls as young as 14 suffer from PCOD, thyroid issues, and high insulin, it’s alarming. Fertility is declining. Having kids early means higher energy levels and less emotional and financial stress later due to infertility struggles.

Afrida: But there’s always guilt – whether you're a working mom or a stay-at-home one.

Mansi: True. But guilt is an energy drainer. I let go of guilt the day my daughter said she wanted to be CEO of Kidsstoppress! When I’m at work, I work. When I’m with them, I’m fully present. That presence matters more than hovering 24/7. I’ve raised independent daughters because I prioritized being emotionally present over being physically present always.

Afrida: The CCTV parenting generation – always watching their kids remotely – what's your take?

Mansi: It’s causing paranoia. If you’ve left your child with someone you trust – a grandparent or nanny – then trust. We’ve all dropped babies or made mistakes. Why hold others to higher standards than ourselves?

Afrida: You talk a lot about conscious parenting. What does that mean?

Mansi: Conscious parenting means accepting your child for who they are. Every child is different. Some need you hands-on, others need space. Don’t parent from your trauma or societal pressure. Be self-aware. Your job is to be the springboard from which your child jumps into their own life.

Afrida: And finally, what’s your advice to women struggling to do it all?

Mansi: Don’t try to do it all. Like Randi Zuckerberg says – you can only pick three out of five: work, family, health, friends, entertainment. Choose your battles every day. Drop the guilt. Prioritize what matters to you, and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Afrida: Beautifully said, Mansi. A much-needed conversation. Thank you for sharing so honestly.

Mansi: Thank you, Afrida. It’s been wonderful to talk about these important truths.