Practical tips thanks Your Middle Years article on ‘Difficult subjects parents must discuss with children’ (PW September) set off an alarm to address an obligation I have been putting off for months. Especially when smartphones, tablets and the internet have become ubiquitous, and parents are at a loss about ways and means to censor information Speaking from my own experience I suspect my procrastination stems from the fact that I was never sure if my daughters were old enough. But I would rather they hear from me about the dangers of sexual abuse, mental health, and even substance abuse than read some random information on the Internet. Thank you for the practical tips on managing sensitive discussions, and creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for initiating them. The sooner we accept this is the age for open conversations focused on providing age-appropriate, honest answers to difficult questions, the better! Tanmay Ayare Mumbai Valuable bonding advice Your Special Essay titled “How parents can promote positive sibling relationships” (PW September) authored by developmental and clinical psychologists Marissa and Sheri was insightful. Especially since the authors state that the quality of sibling relationships in young adulthood is a predictor of strong bonds in later life. I agree that it’s very important for parents to manage sibling rivalry to ensure that each child feels accepted and valued. By recognizing each child’s unique strengths and encouraging teamwork through shared activities, parents can reduce competition and promote cooperation. Overall, this essay provides valuable insight for nurturing sibling bonding, essential for emotional development. I also enjoyed reading your Parents Corner article on ‘Building strong sibling bonds” which was a validation of your Special Essay. Nighat Ashraf Ootacamund Valuable cover story Your September cover story on parental burnouts is relevant and revealing. In the age of nuclear families, I wonder which working parent hasn’t experienced near burnouts given the 21st century societal pressures towards pursuit of perfection. The structured guidance on self-care, particularly seven types of rest, which I now follow religiously, has ushered in a semblance of balance in my life despite my extremely demanding professional and personal life. Moreover, the subject of parental guilt and the unrealistic expectations set by social media prompted me to rethink and reflect. The strong messages of embracing imperfections and taking time out for rest and creativity were truly empowering. After all, prioritizing self-care directly benefits our capability of mindful caring for our children and maintaining strong family bonds Dr Divya Bhasi, Bengaluru Useful advice It was reassuring reading child psychologist Ayushika Anand’s views (PW September) on separation anxiety. My two-year-old son Dhruv is so attached to me that he even refuses to stay with his work-from-home father when I leave for work. Thank you for raising my awareness that separation anxiety is common among young children. I am very relieved that short separations and goodbye rituals recommended by you have worked wonders! S. Chitra Mumbai Confirming study All through my childhood, my mother would regulate my consumption of red meat…
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ParentsWorld october 2024 | EducationWorld Mailbox