‘Hrithik as my co-parent is a very big thing': What Sussanne Khan's journey with Hrithik Roshan reveals about how mutual respect after divorce can shape emotionally healthy children

Indian Express

20-06-2025

Parenting after separation is rarely easy, but Sussanne Khan and Hrithik Roshan have shown how mutual respect and shared goals can create a nurturing and balanced environment for their children.
Speaking at the ETNow.in Reality Conclave & Awards 2025, Sussanne, a successful interior designer and entrepreneur, offered insight into her ongoing co-parenting journey with the Bollywood actor. 'Our children are very artistic. Both my boys are artistically inclined to another level,' she shared. 'So I think the support of my family and of course Hrithik as my co-parent is a very big thing to us. I am feeling very grateful and very blessed.'
Sussanne's comments come not long after Hrithik posted a heartfelt tribute to her professional success on Instagram, writing, 'Dreams to reality. So proud of you Sussanne! I remember 20 years ago this was a concept you kept dreaming about. Today as you launch your SECOND Charcoal Project in Hyderabad, I can't help but applaud the little girl who dared to dream so many years ago… Your hard work shows, but what shows most is your exquisite and unique talent! World-class truly!'
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherapist, The Answer Room, tells indianexpress.com, 'Absolutely, post-divorce relationships can evolve into emotionally supportive partnerships — but only when both individuals are willing to move beyond resentment and ego. In my work, I've seen that the shift depends heavily on emotional maturity, mutual respect, and a conscious decision to prioritise the child's emotional landscape over personal grievances.'
When parents are able to model conflict resolution, co-regulation, and boundaries even post-separation, it rewires how children view relationships. 'Instead of internalising separation as something destructive or shameful, they start to see it as a transition — where love and support don't have to disappear just because the structure changed,' notes Khangarot.
Khangarot states, 'When children witness mutual appreciation between divorced parents, it fosters emotional resilience and a more secure internal working model of relationships. They begin to view both parents as individuals navigating life with dignity rather than adversaries. This reduces their tendency to internalise blame or engage in black-and-white thinking.'
Over time, she adds, it nurtures empathy, perspective-taking, and the ability to resolve conflicts in their own relationships. 'A study by Sandler et al. (2008) found that positive post-divorce parenting significantly reduced emotional distress and increased social competence in children, laying a strong foundation for healthier adult relationships and a higher emotional quotient (EQ).'
Divorced co-parents can benefit greatly by adopting the mindset of team leadership—where the shared 'project' is the well-being of the child. Like in successful teams, clear communication, defined roles, mutual respect, and goal alignment are essential. Viewing each other as partners rather than opponents helps reduce ego-driven conflict and fosters collaboration.
Just as effective teams focus on long-term success over individual wins, Khangarot notes, co-parents who adopt this approach prioritise the child's needs over personal grievances. This perspective encourages problem-solving, accountability, and emotional regulation — key elements that build trust and stability in the parenting dynamic over time, even post-separation.