Help your high schooler – Be a cool parent

With a plethora of options in academic streams and career, students today have a wide choice. As I cater to teenage counselling, a frequent concern is students losing focus in their studies. Some have developed more interest in social media and doom scrolling which is matter of fact an escapist paradise to avoid the reality. When parents speak or scold them, they have no answer or response and they also refrain from giving any justifications as to why the focus is missing.

Thus, parents as well as children suffer silently and this affects the child’s personality and parents feel helpless. This can be solved with a few tips here.

Know their favourite subjects : Over a period of time students prefer to change their affinity for subjects. It could also be that their interest levels drastically changes. This is not really related to the shift in focus but is influenced by or peer influence or they are scoring well in a subject. Do get to know what they wish to do, what are the options and how you can align the logistics and finance for the same.

Education is important : A minimum education helps especially when you want to change your career or walk through a stop gap situation as you are consolidating your dream career. Hold on to the dreams and secure the basic education

Dr Ketan Shah is a Dermatologist and Dr Urvi Shah – physiotherapist understand the importance of autonomy in career choices.

 Dr Ketan Shah mentions, “ We let them select their own careers. Dhruvit is pursuing law, though earlier he showed exemplary talents in engineering. Khushi is now a software professional and doing well “.

Dr Urvi Shah adds, “ Both our kids had the freedom and  we made them speak to a few people in their respective chosen field. The result is all of us are content. Diverse fields helps us to understand their perspective.”

Teach them it is okay to fail : Ask the question as a parent to yourself, “ Have I never made an error? Have I never be influenced by someone else’s business plan or career.” “Was I always consistent in becoming successful?’ Such honest self-awareness help you to understand them. Explain to them about your tough times.

Good Luck, Be a cool parent!