The adult-child relationship begins on an unequal footing—blame it on the size. Adults tower over children, both physically and metaphorically. The default mode, even in the most well-meaning of grown-ups, is to look down—sometimes literally, but more often figuratively. Add to that a generous dose of cultural conditioning, and you have a cocktail of assumptions: that adults know better, that some truths are only grasped with age, that children should listen, not speak.
To be fair, these arguments aren’t entirely without merit. Age does bring perspective. But what I’ve learned through countless observations and conversations, particularly in the course of my research with everyday people, is that the world is rarely ever black or white. It's layered, complex, and textured with nuance. The same applies to the adult-child dynamic. Over time, this relationship, if unchecked, can become overly skewed, polarising to a point where children feel invisible, their voices muffled under the weight of adult authority. And that height gap can obscure something magical: the clarity, creativity, and wisdom children carry in their hearts.
Which is why Vobble’s initiative to create a 'Kid Board of Directors' caught my attention. A brand that targets kids actively invites them into the decision-making process. Intriguing, to say the least.
The first session took place yesterday. The co-founders, Neha Sharma and Sowmya Jagannath, introduced a group of children to the idea of a startup and what it means to solve a real-world problem. And what followed was a reminder of just how perceptive, imaginative, and emotionally intelligent children can be.
One child envisioned a car that could expand or retract—a dream solution to Bangalore’s legendary traffic snarls. Another pitched the idea of a kid’s credit card, with parents able to monitor expenses via an app—cleverly addressing the tiring negotiation ritual that precedes every small purchase. A third spoke passionately about the rising screen time in babies, proposing a ‘co-working-baby-explore zone’ that would let parents work while their toddlers explored a screen-free world.
From frustrations with piano lessons to dreams of a turbo-charged version of Minecraft, each idea reflected not only a unique problem but also a slice of the child’s lived reality. These weren’t whimsical, disconnected fantasies. These were practical, emotionally grounded solutions stemming from observation, empathy, and lived experience. And like all good ideas, the feeling one is left with is, “Now why didn’t we think of that earlier?”
The experience was equally revealing for the adults in the room. Watching children walk confidently into the boardroom, take their seats, and engage with the startup lingo was both heartening and humbling. The children quickly realised that adults, too, are just playing roles—sometimes pretending to be more serious and responsible than they actually are. Toys on desks and candies in drawers told their own story.
Neha and Sowmya guided the children through the basics of building a startup, thinking not just about the problem and solution but also about monetisation, information dissemination, and target audiences. All of this was done in a spirit of fun, with no pressure, and plenty of encouragement.
These moments at the cross-section of childhood and adulthood are deeply meaningful. They offer children a chance to step into the adult world—not as imitators but as equal stakeholders. At the same time, they allow adults to reconnect with the playfulness and clarity of their own inner child. The benefits, in my opinion, are mutual and healing.
Over the next few weeks, these young board members will test Vobble’s product, interact with it, and share their thoughts—likely with more candour than any adult focus group could ever offer. When I saw them at the office, even the six-year-olds moved about with a quiet confidence. Ironically, it was the adults who seemed just a little anxious, bracing themselves for a flood of probing questions.
And why not? Deep down, I think children know their own strength. It’s what helps them survive and even thrive in a world built by and for adults.
Stay tuned for more updates, including conversations with the kid board members and the founders themselves.
This experience offers a powerful reminder to all of us, especially those building products, programs, or policies for children: include them at the table. Not as a formality, but as insightful collaborators with lived experiences that matter. If your work touches young lives, let their voices lead, not as an afterthought, but from the start.
