Hey parents, it's March now and in India this is the most dreaded month for parents of school going kids. Yearly academic exams are scheduled during this month and parents here actually loose it.
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I have seen parents going completely bonkers from the day they get the exam time table. This behaviour among parents is very common and standard across the country. If you see parents cutting themselves off the social circle suddenly in India then you can say that they are the parents of the kid who is going to appear in grade 10 or grade 12 board exams. They actually change their routine, include a time slot for prayers and temple visits, completely ban anything that is cold and spicy to ensure that their kids doesn't fall sick and lastly the complete shut down of any form of entertainment. Parents sacrifice everything for their kids and in turn burden their little shoulders with expectations. While some do achieve what their parents desire, some fall short and that's when they commit suicide. Parental pressure is one of the top most reasons for growing number of young kids committing suicides.
I understand scoring well academically is important, but then that surely doesn't decide your success in life. I have seen individuals who were pathetic students but are leading a much successful life than their IIT graduate friends.
Every parents what their kids to excel academically, who doesn't want, even I do. But that doesn't mean that you shut down their entertainment and put them into rigorous study schedules which in a short span would stress their tiny brains. Give them space, let them have breaks in between. Take them for a stroll and tell them lovingly that no matter what he/she scores he/she will always be your child and you would love them unconditionally. A 3 hour long exam schedule cannot decide your child's life.
Parents must understand that your planned rigorous schedule is not going to help much. It is only going to add a level of extra stress to the child and half of the time the child would be wondering what if I didn't achieve my parents expectations. Instead give your child a free environment, let him/her find their own potential and I promise they will shine.