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Inspiring advice Your cover story ‘Enabling kids to shine bright in the new academic year” (PW June) was a welcome and timely child motivation and success guide. As a parent of a high schooler who struggles with academics, I thought your expert advice on goal-setting, confidence and resilience building was encouraging. As parents, we often make the mistake of overly focusing on building children’s academic knowledge, ignoring the important role emotional motivation plays in psyching children to succeed. Also American psychologist Dr. Carol Dweek’s prescription to develop a growth mindset in children was invaulable. I am now inspired to look beyond traditional academics and nurture my child’s emotional intelligence. Jacqueline Dominic Indore Sensitive subject well-addressed Your Special Essay ‘Talking to teens about sex’ (PW June) discussed a sensitive subject very well. I agree with the author Ayobami that in the Google age it’s necessary and important to discuss sex and sexuality with teenage children regardless of cultural and religious diktats. Especially for parents (like me) who tend to put off conversations on sensitive issues with children, it is important to face our biases and sexual prejudices head on when talking with teens. Thank you for offering practical advice on how to talk to teens about sex with sensitivity and trust. Providing accurate information will equip our children with the know-how to navigate sex and relationships responsibly. Irum Khan Jaipur Balance expectations with reality Your Middle Years story ‘Encourage rather than push children to succeed’ (PW June) resonated deeply with me. As a social media influencer with a packed schedule, I often worry about the impact my lifestyle may have on my child. The pressures of social status can inadvertently influence my child’s expectations and self-esteem. It’s crucial for parents to balance encouragement with realistic expectations, fostering a supportive environment devoid of stress. Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue. It has prompted me to reconsider my parenting approach amid my busy life. Martin Henry Kolkata Critical reading habit Your Early Childhood essay on developing children’s language skills (PW June) has rightly acknowledged the critical importance of the reading habit and encouraging verbal conversations. I agree with Dr. Ali that exposure to a wide genre of story books enriches children’s word banks and instills a love of learning. Also showing genuine interest in what your child is saying encourages conversations at youngest age! I also liked reading counselor Riddhi Doshi Patel’s advice about helping children manage anxiety, specially exam-related stress. With so much weight attached to exam success, even well-prepared children tend to panic before D-day. Parents’ role is also to reassure them that effort matters more than outcome. Sandhya S Bengaluru Useful response Dr. Priya Shivalli’s response to the question about managing food allergies in children (PW June) was useful. I am highly allergic to shellfish. My reaction after consuming shellfish in my younger days was so intense I didn’t need an allergy test. I simply avoid eating it and remain healthy. But I am anxious to learn…