Page 37 - Dainfern Precinct Living issue 7 2022

Today's Child

eliminate the source of their anxiety
can disempower them. The key is to
help them manage their anxiety and to
recognise it. When they feel safe enough
to discuss their feelings, they will also
be open to letting you know when the
pressure is just too overwhelming, and
you can help them choose the activities
that give them an outlet and walk away
from the ones that smother them.
IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE
We constantly push concepts like ‘Don’t
give up’ and ‘Stay committed’. While
these serve a purpose and lead to a
good attitude in many cases, it’s also
about balance, self-care and knowing
their limits. You should keep your
expectations realistic too. Not every
child is an academic – sometimes, not
even the brightest. They should be
supported and encouraged to do their
best rather than chase unattainable
results. With less pressure and anxiety,
you may find they do better anyway
and come into their own once they are
Image: David Ballew through the system.

Parenting is not for sissies. It’s a fine
line between firm encouragement
and gentle support, wanting them to
conquer the world and helping them
I am just a teacher and a mom who engage in hobbies that revitalise them get through a day. We doubt ourselves
dealt with these issues on the ground and have no expectations, to spend constantly, regardless of which stance
and speak from my own observations quality time with their families and to we take but, ultimately, we all want what
and experience. The extremely high be able to achieve the elusive work/life is best for our kids, and it is the source
expectations and pressure on the kids balance that we as adults try so hard to of all of our efforts. We need to cut our
became obvious. Parents are well- achieve. children some slack, so they can one day
meaning. They want their kids to do well go out and conquer the world thanks
at school to set them up for a bright But, we also want our children to grow to good self-esteem, valuing their own
future in a competitive world. They up to be resilient so they can handle needs, and developing compassion and
want them to participate in team sports life’s hard knocks. Trying to avoid or empathy by following our example.
or other sports and cultural activities
to build character, create social bonds
and be ‘off their screens’. But all the
pressure can be overwhelming and
counterproductive. Sometimes they just
need to be kids.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a
child in tears in my classroom because they
are so disappointed in a test result. And
when I tried to reassure them and comfort
them, their response was along the lines
of, “my parents are going to kill me!”
I’ve had children experience full-blown
panic attacks, and when we sit and
chat, I discover that they struggle to
keep up with school work because their
afternoons are full of karate classes,
horse riding, gymnastics, swimming
practice – and the list goes on. And
while these things are great outlets
when done in moderation, many kids
are doing more than one of these a day,
getting home at supper time and then Image: Paige Cody
still trying to keep up with school work.
What they need are opportunities to

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