Recently, Kajol opened up about the phases of motherhood she cherishes most, saying: “ Sabse zyada favourite roop woh hai, jab mere bache chote the. When I could just squash them, I could cuddle them as much as I wanted, and they loved it. And there is no argument about it. They wanted, ‘aur do mumma, give me a huggiee’… that was the best time of motherhood.” Her words to Bollywood Bubble capture a universal emotion felt by parents worldwide. As children grow and begin asserting independence, why does that natural shift sometimes feel like rejection to them? According to Dr Pavitra Shankar, Associate Consultant – Psychiatry at Aakash Healthcare, this emotional transition is deeply tied to healthy psychological development. She explains, “As children grow, they become less interested in constant closeness and more willing to push limits by making their own choices,” says Dr Shankar. “This stage is very critical in identity formation.…