Parents should set realistic goals: Students

The National National
Students that participated in the talk show said parents should set realistic goals for their children. – Picture supplied

Before parents set goals and have expectations for their children, they should first learn to listen, understand and identify their child’s strengths and weaknesses.
This was a call made by five Grade 9 students from La Salle Technical College during the Chat Room show.
They discussed the topic “Parents’ expectation of kids”.
Student Emmanuel Martin, said dreams adults had for young people served as to encourage them to succeed in life.
“Out of love, parents set high expectations, and this is because they want to help and encourage us to be successful, not just in our academic careers but also in our social lives,” he said.
Zenelda Hekele, another student, said parents setting high expectations of their kids was positive but some expectations were “unrealistic”.
“All parents want the best for their children but their expectations have to be realistic,” she said.
“If the expectations are unrealistic, children feel pressured and get stressed which lowers their self-esteem.”
Hekele said expectations helped children work hard to fulfil their dreams and goals.
She said in foreign countries, parents were more open to helping identify their child’s strengths and weaknesses.
“Here, we have many uneducated parents who are not aware of these factors that affect their child’s growth and overall wellbeing,” she said.
“Consequently, they push and force their kids to struggle to achieve or fail, at earning one of only a few high paying jobs, instead of focusing and building on what matters most, their passion.”
Another student Peter Angeli, explained that due to the assumption that parents always know what was best for their children, there was now no need to consult a child on what they needed.
“There is no conversation about what a child needs.
“And when their parents’ expectations are not met, this causes doubt and a severe breakdown in themselves.”
“Having unrealistic expectations and high hopes without realising your child’s strengths is the main cause of mental breakdown and parents should know this.”