Let’s talk exam...

For some kids-the intensity is never like before-especially at this hour; kids could be seen hitting the books harder than ever!   They clearly understand that much of what they have learnt will be now measured through the medium called Exams. Thus, this realization leads  them to reckon exam as some kind of strenuous activity and instantly they wear that serious expression till it’s all over.  

 Indeed there nothing wrong with the element of seriousness but the question is-to what extent should we allow our kids to be serious when it comes to exams. And during that phase, how do we come in as a teacher-as parents? How do we help them to navigate smoothly through their exams?

Yes, some of us have enticed our kids by promising that we will buy them a flashy lightening McQueen-but-only under the condition if he gets through with something handsome to show off. In a worst case scenario, some of us might be radically drilling the consequences in their head and intimidating what will happen if things turn out ugly from exams. The pressure is full on-and the target setting contract with the teacher of scoring 60% and above rings into their head.   Very categorically, some of us-we lay down our expectations and remind them to be prepared for the penalties. It is indeed a serious business here!

Amid such events, do we ever consider the factors that determine the degree of their intensity with regard to examination? Do we really think about how far we should be pushing them? Do we really-like, look into their behavior pattern-like-are they able to eat and sleep well? Are they in a right frame of mind to appear for the exams?  In fact how do you ensure sound physical and mental state at the point of time?

We know some kids break down at times, unable to cope-unable to accept the results. At that crucial moment, how do we conduct ourselves so that we signal assurances and comfort?  How do we plan the rebuilding program for the kids specially to mend their psychological status? The point here is straight; we don’t want to be the factor that triggers that humungous fear at such events of their lives nor do we want to give them an impression that they are all alone to prove to the world how good they are. Like it or lump it-exams are stressful-kids do need us! 

Sex Education and Parents

  Just because many of us-we didn’t receive any healthy sex education from our parents do not mean that we should continue that same trend. Sex education has been handled ineptly in our family circle. A sexually developing kid has very feeble idea about sex education until he gets into the school. 

Frankly speaking, many parents have this complacent attitude that the sex education their kids receive from school is more than enough for the kids and consequently tend to shy from enacting their role towards communicating sex education to their kids. 

Despite knowing the fact that sex education is beyond the learning of  human sexual anatomy and its reproductive system, still we fail to propagate the psychological, social and emotional aspect to sex education. Apart from biological sense, Sex education needs to be taught through emotional corridor and that’s where parents can jump in!

How many of us, as parents- have we really thought about when and how to begin sex education to our kids?  As parents, are we not really concerned about our growing child-will it be prudent on our part to leave this role only to our teachers and to some NGOs?  

Yes, when it comes to sex education-it is a very delicate subject which we need to illustrate with greater sense of decency to our kids. An advisory role coupled with active collaboration with other stakeholders relevant to our child can be a turning point for the  kid’s sexual well being. 

Seriously, my friend the time has come-where we need to sit together face to face with our kids-ask whether their monthly periodic cycle has any effect on their daily school activities and talk about what he/she thinks about sexual harassment-probe her about why rape-about regulatory bodies pertaining to sex crimes. We also need to inform about stigmatization that goes in the community with teenage pregnancy, sexual transmitted diseases and Of course tell them that the rapist might be just next door or the person whom she thinks is her world. At least -lets us make them aware of sexual crimes and how to deal with such issues.

 Today our kids have access to multimedia and the probability to get hooked to various vulgar audio-visual elements is very high than ever before.  Despite of imparting media literacy-still we need to be vigilant and ensure that the video games that they play-magazines that they read-the songs that they listen to and the movies that that they watch need to be censored in such a way that they are not offended.   Let’s face it-many things around us has become sensuous-be it a simple TV ad or a MTV song. In the name art-the lyrics-the motion pictures are outrageously explicit in nature-parents need to be careful!  Face booking, we chatting through various social networks need be encouraged and channeled only through proper conversation about its implication and its relationship to their sexual growth.

 However, while doing this- Let us not give them an impression of intrusion, imposition and intimidation-let’s talk rather than lecturing about it to our kids-lets share our own experiences and lessons and relate to their own developing sexuality. 

Despite understanding the urgency and the existence of such scenario-if the parents  feel irked and put a face of denial about this issue-certainly It  would be the most piteous picture ever.

Yes there is nothing wrong when an iconic public figure advocates about it through a popular social media to our kids-yes there is nothing wrong when teachers and health workers do it-so why will it be wrong on the parents to advocate sex education to their own kids-now. 

Bottom line: Our parents may not have-but-we have to-sex education is our kids' rights.