I admit I made many mistakes with Lara: Awal Ashaari

Malaysian actor and host Awal Ashaari, 44, has openly acknowledged past parenting missteps with his eldest daughter, Lara Alana, now 12. He admits his initial excitement as a new father led him to place undue pressure on Lara through numerous childhood activities.

“

Actually, there were many mistakes I made towards Lara, and I admit it. Now that she is at this age, the things I did to Lara before, I no longer do to my second child.

Ashaari reflected that his journey raising Lara was filled with both difficult and sweet moments, as she was his first child and his teacher in fatherhood. He recognized that many of the things he did with Lara, he no longer does with his second daughter, Lila Amina. "Raising Lila has been easier and smoother because I learned from past mistakes," he stated.

Watching old videos of Lara brings him sadness, as he now understands his actions stemmed from inexperience. "Oh God, so many things I didn't know back then, that I did to my first child. Why did we do that?" he questioned. While proud of Lara's growth, he carries a sense of guilt over past actions.

“

When I watch old videos again, I feel sad. I think, 'Oh God, so many things I didn't know back then, that I did to my first child. Why did we do that?'

This guilt prompts him to frequently apologize to Lara, especially during special occasions like birthdays and Eid. He shared an emotional moment during Lara's recent birthday, where she hugged him and cried at midnight, mirroring his own tears. "I know there were many mistakes I made before," he confessed.

“

Every time it's a birthday or Eid, when there's a moment with Lara, I always ask for her forgiveness. Especially during Eid, we have a bond where she hugs me and I hug her.

Ashaari recalled how his eagerness as a first-time father led to Lara's schedule being packed with various classes and activities, including horseback riding, piano, and tennis, as he felt she needed to try everything. He now uses these reflections to parent Lila with more ease and understanding.

“

On her birthday recently, exactly at midnight, I went into her room and wished her a happy birthday. She immediately hugged me and cried. I also cried because I know there were many mistakes I made before.