Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor treated their fans to a special Christmas surprise last year: a glimpse of their daughter Raha. Later, Alia recalled her initial reaction in a conversation with her sister-in-law and actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, saying: “There was this one moment before the Christmas lunch where we were driving, and it was random where Ranbir said, ‘Listen, should we take a picture with Raha, today?” I was like, ‘Are you sure?’”
Adding, the Gangubai Kathiawadi actor said: “Because I do have anxiety. He obviously understood that and said, ‘Now, you are going to get really anxious, so let’s talk about it. ‘ Let’s talk about what your worst fear is. So, we talked about it…all the way from Bandra to Juhu. And that one moment happened, and it was such a cute moment. She was holding both our faces. I also realised that there’s only love for her.”
When Alia Bhatt spoke about feeling anxious before allowing her daughter Raha to be photographed for the first time, it was a deeply relatable moment for many parents. “Because beneath the celebrity spotlight, the core emotion she expressed is universal – the flutter of anxiety that comes with stepping into something new,” mentioned Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist and life coach.
Anxiety often intensifies around “firsts.” “First steps. First day at school. First public moment. First big decision involving your child. New experiences carry a mix of excitement, responsibility, and vulnerability. Even when we know it’s a planned step, our minds often run ahead—what if something goes wrong? What if I’m not fully ready? For parents, this anxiety multiplies because the decision isn’t just about them anymore. It’s about their child’s safety, identity, and boundaries,” said Delnna.
Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Freepik)
The anxiety behind new beginnings:
There’s a simple psychological reason why anxiety spikes during unfamiliar moments. “Our nervous system thrives on predictability. New experiences, no matter how joyful, stretch us out of our comfort zone,” said Delnna.
– There’s fear of the unknown
– A heightened sense of responsibility
– Worry about external judgment or criticism
– An emotional tug between protection and growth
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For parents, these layers deepen because of the primal instinct to keep their child safe. Even a seemingly simple decision like sharing a photo online can stir an emotional storm.
Today’s generation of parents faces something previous generations didn’t — the world has blurred the line between private and public. A single image can travel everywhere within minutes. “This creates an internal conflict between wanting to share joy and needing to protect one’s child,” said Delnna.
Anxiety doesn’t mean weakness
It’s love mixed with responsibility. It’s a natural response to stepping into an unfamiliar but significant moment.
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Practical ways to navigate anxiety around new experiences:
– Acknowledge the emotion instead of dismissing it
– Ground yourself with breath or short sensory rituals before the moment
– Remind yourself that feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re making the wrong choice
– Set clear boundaries about what you will and won’t share
– Focus on what you can control instead of everything that could go wrong
