KIDS AND PARENTAL PRESSURE

As a home maker, I try to keep myself busy by taking tuitions to a few kids in my complex. This also for a few couple of hours when my kid goes to sleep. Initially taking tuitions was something I would'nt ever dream of ever. But this happened accidently last year when I met a freind of mine whose kid was slow at learning. Since she also had another small baby to look after and I too was at a very low phase, so took my first student. What followed was that this same friend of my mine got an other student. Both these boys were in the same class UKG so for me it was great. Then came the neighbour of mine whose kid was in the 7th grade ICSE Board. She wanted me tutor him on Maths and Science ( I was numb, I tried my best to tell her that its been a long time - but she somehow convinced me into it). And so came along a few more.

At first, I was more nervous when the results were to be announced. Then every parent would come and discuss their childs progress. At first if the child would not do as expected (parents expectations) then the parents would try and give me their inputs as to how I should go about teaching. That was it.... I was not going to allow any parent to tell me how to do my job. I let them know how I felt and if they were not satisfied they were free to search for another teacher. That did scare them a bit coz there were other teachers who had big batches of kids but none of them could give personal attention. Generally, parents who put their kids for tuitions feel that their kids will do a miracle and when that does not happen the blame game starts. What they do not understand is that a tuition teacher is a guide who help the kid in understanding the subject well but the students are also required to practise and study. By setting unachieveable goals to the kids makes them more depressed. This according to me is the PRESSURE which results in the kid lying, not paying any interest etc. In fact some kids feel that their parents do not even love them any more (yes as told by one of my students). Parents really need to sit with their kids (especially the ones entering their teenage) and understand them more and love them for what they are. Few words of encouragement can go a long way in shaping up the childrens future.

All the kids who I had as my students eventually gave a good performance in the finals atleast there was a 15% to 20% improvement than their earlier scores. This was not only due to my efforts but also the students who really worked hard. This, for me is an achievement and an encouragement. The students parents were really happy and I was glad that I could bring a smile on their faces.

Teaching these kids has made me realise how they feel or rather how a certain age group thinks. Most of them are pretty honest. They are not as diplomatic as the adults. Instead they voice their emotions well. Its up to us to understand them and make changes before its too late. How many times have we wanted to do something but were not able to due to parental pressure or financial pressure? We should be happy that the Kids nowadays are more clear in their thinking and know what they want to do. Supporting them will help them achieve greater heights.