Anushka Sharma: There’s too much pressure to be perfect parents

Actor Anushka Sharma says there is too much pressure to be a "perfect parent" and she and cricketer-husband Virat Kohli are anything but that.

Anushka shares two children, daughter Vamika (three) and six-month-old son Akaay with Virat.

The 36-year-old actor said it's okay for parents to own up to their mistakes in front of children.

"There's too much pressure to be, like, this perfect parent, and we are not perfect parents. Like, we will complain about things, and then it's okay to admit it to them (children). Just complain about it. That's my thing,” she said.

"So, they know that it will be all flawed. Imagine, kids having to live up to, like, 'Oh, my parents are like...' I feel like owning your mistakes in front of your kids,” the actor said at a brand promotion event in Mumbai on Wednesday.

It was the actor-producer's first media appearance after giving birth to Akaay on February 15 in London.

Anushak said while she is a "chill" parent, she is particular about the routine of the children.

"My kids, they have a lot of changes in their life. We travel a lot, so if I maintain the same routine for them, I'm giving them a sense of some sort of control in their own life. I think it really helps them regulate themselves better. So, eating times are fixed." The actor said she and Virat recently realised the importance of introducing family recipes to their children.

“We have started having this discussion at home that if we don't make the things our mom's did, then we will not be passing on these recipes, you know? So sometimes I cook, sometimes my husband cooks, and we really do try to make the way our moms did, like out of memory,” she said.

"I cheat a little bit, but it's so important because it's as important as giving them something from your wedding, which they will pass on to their kids. So I think it's sweet like that,” she added.

Known for her work in films such as Band Baaja Baaraat, Jab Tak Hai Jaan,  NH10' and Sultan, Anushka believes gratitude can't be taught to children other than by leading life by example.

"My daughter is still very young, and I don't think I can teach her anything. It's how we lead our life. Are we showing gratitude in our everyday life? Are we showing that as a way of example? And she picks on that. I don't think you can sit down and teach her gratitude,” said Anushka

"That comes from an egoistic space of, like, 'I'm gonna teach you gratitude'. You learn to have gratitude, and then your kids follow through. You can always gently guide them," she added.