Having known the family for four years and being very close to them I have to comment on this.

Sanjaya’s mother did not want him to participate in the show this year because of his age. He insisted that he was able to handle it and being seventeen, she felt he was old enough to make the decision himself. After all, how can our kids grow to be adults if we don’t let them make these types of decisions for themselves?

Luckily, with the amount of media exposure he has received (good and bad) he has handled it quite nicely, mostly due to his upbringing. His mother has always taught her kids that the media is a fake world built on sensationalism and money (advertising).

Every parent wants to see their kids leave the nest and be self supporting doing what they love. We know that Sanjaya and Shyamali will go on to have successful careers and contributing positively to society.

How would you feel if your child became the most hated person in America? Received death threats? Booed by an entire stadium of people? Called a joke by everyone? Had complete strangers declare that he must be gay? Called “Abu” on all the message boards? Had tabloids publish your welfare checks or mug shots from two years ago? Or print your underaged daughter’s arrest records? All this because your son auditioned for Idol… what a price to pay!

These parents need to wake up! And start protecting their children! This woman sounds flighty to me. John Steven’s mother did a better job shielding her son from the hate.

I just don’t understand these parents. Watching their children abused and humiliated in public. It’s so irresponsible. I’m not surprised Sanjaya comes from a broken home.