'I made my sons wash dishes', Saima Qureshi's parenting philosophy wins praise
Veteran Pakistani actress Saima Qureshi has challenged traditional parenting norms by sharing the values she instilled in her three sons, emphasizing that independence, responsibility, and respect for household work should be taught from an early age.
During her latest appearance on morning show, Saima explained that she always kept a close eye on her sons, their friends, and where they went. Many people criticized her, saying boys should have more freedom and should not be watched so closely.
However, Saima disagreed with them completely. She refused to let them do whatever they wanted just because they were boys. For her, keeping her children safe was always the most important priority.
To prepare them for real life, Saima taught her three sons how to do household chores when they were young. Her first rule was that they must make their own beds. She also made them wash the dishes they used. When the maid was away, her sons had to help clean the house. She would sweep the floor while they did the dusting. She also taught them how to iron their clothes, fill water bottles, and make basic things such as tea and coffee.
The show host, Nida Yasir, strongly agreed with Saima stating that many South Asian mothers spoil their sons and make their daughters do all the work. This bad habit makes boys grow up thinking that chores are only a woman's job, which causes problems for their future wives.
Saima stressed that independence begins at home and rejected the common excuse often heard from young men that they simply do not know how to manage household tasks. "If they can operate a smartphone so easily, they can certainly learn how to iron a shirt," she remarked.
The actress further explained that involving her sons in daily chores helped them appreciate hard work and understand the effort that goes into maintaining a home. She said she often reminded them that she, too, gets tired and deserves support, teaching them empathy alongside responsibility.
Her honest parenting philosophy has earned widespread appreciation online, with many viewers praising her for raising self-reliant sons and encouraging a healthier, more balanced approach to parenting.