This story is part of “Parenting: What Google Won’t Tell You” — The Better India’s people-led parenting series that goes beyond conventional advice to document how real families are actually raising their children. Through real parents, parenting coaches, influencers and experts, the series brings honest, diverse and relatable perspectives on the questions, choices, challenges and solutions that shape everyday parenting — the things Google can’t always answer.

As the evening sky turns dark, little diyas begin to flicker along balconies and windowsills. Inside one Faridabad home, the preparations for Diwali are a little different. Three-year-old Rishaan Garg Batra is getting ready to celebrate with his parents, Neha Garg and Siddhant Batra, and his four furry siblings, the family's dogs. There are diyas to light, a family photograph to take, friends and relatives to meet, games to play and, of course, plenty of good food to look forward to.

There is one thing missing from the celebrations, though: firecrackers. There is also no last-minute rush to buy new clothes or festive decorations.

For Neha, a podcaster, writer and brand strategist, and Siddhant, an IT and sports entrepreneur, Diwali has always been about the simple joys of being together. The couple has never been particularly drawn to loud celebrations or the idea of buying something new for every occasion. Over the years, they have built their own little traditions around the festival of lights, and now they are bringing up Rishaan with the same understanding.

For Rishaan, this is what Diwali looks like: a few lights, familiar faces, meals shared with loved ones and memories made together.

2 childhood experiences that changed how they celebrate Diwali

Neha and Siddhant had each grown uncomfortable with firecrackers long before becoming parents, though for different reasons.

Siddhant's turning point came when his sister spoke to him about child labour associated with the manufacture of firecrackers. The two siblings decided to stop bursting them around Grades 5 or 6. Eventually, the rest of the family also adopted a low-noise Diwali.

Neha, on the other hand, grew up in a large joint family where firecrackers were an important part of the festivities. Every year, a huge stock........

© The Better India