The Pressure to Be Perfect

Our children live in a world bombarded with stereotypical messages: there is too much talk about success, career, millionaires, fashion models, and other diluted symbols of the perfect world. That's why even the children from schools near me feel this pressure to be perfect. They feel the pressure to be the best at school, at home, at sports, on social media, or ... in front of the mirror.

 The pressure to succeed and show off

Children fully feel the pressure to be successful and to be perfect. How do we manage to convey to our children the message that it is not normal to always be the first? And most importantly, how do we teach them to move on from their little failures? For a child, running after a dream or another is a natural concern. The problem arises when your son or daughter becomes obsessed with a certain dream - to the point of ruling out other options. And then, this concern becomes dangerous and even unhealthy.

Dangerous symptoms of stress

Yes, children from pre primary schools in Kolkata are stressed and we as parents are obliged to observe the symptoms. These may include headaches, stomach problems (abdominal pain), and sleep problems (insomnia).

What to do?

As a parent, it is normal to raise your child with the message to succeed in life. One thing that parents of children from schools near me often forget to communicate to their children is that they do not expect perfection from them. One of the most important lessons you can teach your child is that you can "lose" gracefully. That means he'll have to learn to pick up the shards ... and think about what to do next. This time, with more wisdom, willpower, and courage to move on.

How to protect your child from stress - 10 useful tips

Stress strongly affects our children, even if they are enrolled in the best kindergarten school. The trend of recent years shows that the greatest danger to children in the contemporary world is not violence, drugs, or harassment, but stress. The way we live makes us extremely vulnerable, and children feel this first. Younger children are often more stressed than adults think.

The stressful life we ​​lead as adults, combined with the "hyper" level that governs all areas, is equally reflected in children's behaviour. And if stress is unbearable for adults, it is even more harmful to children, because they are not yet sufficiently emotionally and intellectually developed.

 Many parents of children from pre primary schools in Kolkata want to help them become the best possible. However, some parents put their children under too much pressure to perform. And being under such intense pressure can have serious consequences for children.

Constant pressure on children can be harmful

Even children from the best kindergarten school may be less likely to perform optimally if they do not receive enough pressure from their parents. However, some children may be under too much pressure. Adults also expressed concern that today's children "can no longer be children" because they are under pressure and are constantly expected to achieve good results, such as entering the most prestigious schools or getting the biggest scholarships.

School is not the only place where parents put pressure on their children. Parents may also have high expectations of their children for good results in sports, music, theatre, or other activities. Parents who put pressure on their children may insist that their children constantly practice and perform well in competitions. Parents have different opinions and approaches to encouraging their children. While high expectations can be healthy, putting constant pressure on children can be harmful.

When perfectionist parenting is harmful

Children who feel under enormous pressure from their parents and adults may experience consequences in many areas of their lives, from mental health to sleep. Here are some of the consequences of putting children under too much pressure to perform:

Increased risk of mental illness. Children who feel under constant pressure may experience constant anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.

Higher risk of injury. Athletes who feel a lot of pressure may continue to participate in sports, despite injuries. Ignoring the pain or returning to a sport before a wound heals could lead to permanent damage.

Increased likelihood of cheating. When the emphasis is on achievement, rather than learning, children are more likely to cheat. Whether it's a small child watching a classmate's response to a test, or a student paying someone to write a paper, deception is common among children who feel pressured to do well.

Refusal to participate. When children feel that their goal is to "always be the best," they are likely to stop participating. A child who is not the fastest runner may give up football, and a child who is not the best singer in the group may stop playing in the choir.

Problems with self-esteem. Pushing children to excel can affect their self-esteem. The constant stress of performance interferes with the formation of children's identity and makes them feel that they are not good enough or even that they will never be good enough.

Sleep deprivation. Children who feel constant pressure to do well in school may be late to study and struggle with sleep.

 What can you do?

There are a few things you can do as a parent to help your child without putting a lot of pressure on him or her:

Encourage your child to do all he can. Focus on the process rather than the result.

If you feel that you are putting too much pressure on your child, ask yourself why your performance, test results, or success matter to you.

Talk to your child about the sport/task/project they are working on. Set aside your feelings to make room for your child to express theirs. Giving your child space to be seen and heard will encourage him rather than make him feel disappointed.