AFFWA Regional Training Command Holds Session on Parenting, Self-Care and Digital Challenges
The Air Force Family Welfare Association (Regional), Headquarters Training Command, held a virtual interaction for Sanginis on 17 August 2026 that brought together themes of self-care, parenting, adolescent management and the pressures of a fast-changing digital world.
The session was led by Group Captain Tushar Agrawal, VSM, Head of Faculty at the Centre for Leadership Training and Behavioural Sciences (C-LABS), Air Force Administrative College (AFAC), Coimbatore. Sanginis from across the Area of Responsibility of AFFWA (Regional), Training Command joined the programme online.
Mrs Sunita Shrinivas, President, AFFWA (Regional), Headquarters Training Command, graced the session. The programme created a forum for discussion on issues that affect families in daily life, with a particular focus on personal well-being, parenting challenges and the changing social environment in which children and adolescents are growing up.
A major part of the conversation centred on the demands placed on Sanginis and the importance of distinguishing self-care from self-neglect. The discussion also examined how long-held conditioning can sometimes make it difficult for individuals to place their own emotional and personal well-being on equal footing with their family responsibilities.
Another key theme was the need to build dependable support systems. Participants were encouraged to value communication, community support and healthy interpersonal relationships while balancing the multiple roles that come with family life.
The session also devoted substantial attention to parenting and adolescent management, especially in the context of Generation Z and the sharply altered environment in which young people are now being raised. With smartphones, social media platforms and digital content shaping everyday routines, parents today are dealing with a set of concerns that differ markedly from those faced by earlier generations.
Group Captain Agrawal spoke about the growing influence of the internet and social media on young minds, and how online personalities and influencers can affect attitudes, aspirations and behaviour. He stressed that parents need to remain aware of their children’s digital environment rather than treating online activity as separate from broader development.
The programme underlined the need to help children engage with the digital world responsibly and with better judgment. As young people are exposed to an overwhelming amount of information, opinions and trends online, parental guidance and open communication can help them assess content more thoughtfully and build healthier digital habits.
Instead of framing the issue only in terms of restrictions, the session highlighted the importance of understanding the environment in which today’s adolescents communicate, learn and shape their views. Such awareness, the discussion suggested, can strengthen parent-child communication while helping families respond to the risks and pressures linked to excessive or inappropriate digital exposure.
Following the main presentation, Sanginis took part in an interactive question-and-answer session. Participants asked a range of questions, shared concerns and sought clarification on situations they encounter in their personal and family lives.
The exchange gave participants practical insights and takeaways for dealing with challenges affecting both themselves and their children. The discussion was especially relevant at a time when technological and social changes are reshaping family relationships, parenting styles and adolescent behaviour.
Through the initiative, AFFWA (Regional), Headquarters Training Command, reaffirmed its focus on the welfare and empowerment of Air Force families. By combining professional expertise with active participation from Sanginis across the Command, the session offered a useful platform to address contemporary concerns and strengthen awareness for navigating the digital age.
