A Child Dilemma on Parental Pressure - Talk to ME

"Do not confine your children to your learning, for they were born in a different time.”- Hebrew Proverb

- Ankur R Gupta

Reena was sitting in her posh office at Bandra engrossed in reading an article on Child psychology in India Times when Mary her secretary informed her that Mr. and Mrs. Shyam have come to meet her. Reena was a renowned child psychologist.

It’s our 16-year-old son, Amit, said, Mrs. Shyam as she entered Reena’s chamber with her husband. We are very much concerned about him. Please have a seat first Mr. & Mrs. Shyam requested Reena. As they seated the fine lines of worry on their faces were more apparent. Hmm, yes, now tell me about your son, asked Dr. Reena with a smile.

Dr. Reena my son Amit, spoke. Shyam has always been an intelligent, exuberant child. An all-rounder who loves to participate in all the activities in the school. However, over the past few months, he has transformed into a brooding sulking self. He stays secluded in his room and rarely conversed with us or his friends. His grades are slipping down & the teachers often complain about his nonparticipation in any event.

We tried talking to him many times, but he has completely shut us from him, added the concerned parents. After talking to the parents in detail, Reena agreed to be Amit’s counselor.

The first look at Amit and Reena saw a bewildered-looking boy who seems to be all lost. In the next few sessions with Amit, Dr. Reena understood that he was the classic case of the old school of parenting, where the parents assigned the path of a child with lists of restrictions and expect a child to adhere to it. They pay negligible attention to what the child desires and wishes.