From playgrounds to healthy lifestyle: Sachin Tendulkar’s parenting tips for today’s families

Sachin Tendulkar recently shared powerful parenting insights on raising healthy, confident and emotionally grounded children. Previously in an interview with Eenadu ETV Bharat, he stressed how lifestyle habits, sports culture and mindful parenting can shape a child’s future. From encouraging physical activity to offering emotional security and freedom, Sachin’s advice highlights the simple steps parents can take to help their children thrive.

Sachin Tendulkar believes that a child’s happiness begins with good health. He explains, “Being healthy is the most important thing for a person to be happy.” For Sachin, fitness isn't just a routine but the base of emotional and mental wellbeing. He urges parents to create an environment where exercise and play are normal parts of daily life, helping children grow happier and more confident.

Sachin strongly advocates for reducing screen time and increasing physical activity. He says, “Children should be encouraged to spend most of their time on the playground.” He emphasises that the change must start at home, where parents prioritise outdoor play over digital distractions. According to him, sports build resilience, discipline and teamwork—skills essential for a child’s personality and future success.

For Sachin, fitness doesn’t require complicated routines. Even a small change matters. “Walking should be preferred instead of going by bike or car for short distances,” he advises. He calls walking a habit worth “making an addiction,” while urging families to cut down digital gadget use. Dedicating just 30 minutes a day to exercise, he says, can transform the physical and mental health of children.

Sachin lists simple lifestyle habits that make a huge difference: eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, playing a sport and exercising daily. He stresses consistency over perfection, saying these habits benefit not just individuals but the country’s future. Parents who model healthy choices naturally guide children towards long-term wellbeing. Small steps, he reminds, eventually build lifelong discipline.

Speaking on India’s Independence Day, Sachin highlighted the national importance of early childhood care. “Investing in Early Child Development is one of the best investments a country can make,” he said. Proper nutrition, play-based learning and unconditional love can dramatically shape a child’s future. He believes strong early development can help India emerge as a global superpower by 2050.

Sachin emphasised that raising a child is a shared responsibility. “Children need the love and affection of a father as much as that of a mother,” he says. Comparing parenting to cricket, he adds that “rotating strike between partners is as important in rearing a child.” Fathers’ involvement leads to healthier children and reduces the emotional load on mothers, strengthening the family as a whole.

Sachin credits his father, writer Ramesh Tendulkar, for teaching him the value of freedom. His father never forced him into academics, allowing him to pursue cricket wholeheartedly. Sachin applies the same principle with his children, saying support matters more than pressure. Whether it’s Arjun choosing cricket or Sara exploring nutrition and modeling, he believes in nurturing dreams, not dictating them.