Letter to parents by Anushree Chhabria
Dear Parents
I am a Child and Parent Counsellor, I have completed my education in Child and Adolescent Psychology in America at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I have also attained my legal education (LLB HONS) in England and practised as a Solicitor in London. Currently, I am a member of the American Psychological Association, The Law Society of England and Wales and The Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.
Raising children and parenting can be very challenging, however and needless to say, it can also be extremely rewarding. Especially when you see your little toddler accomplishing a milestone, or your schooling child doing something incredible and out of the ordinary, or your teenager bringing back an award. Every parents feels a sense of pride and achievement that they did something right!
The key is knowing how important the role of family is in the overall development of your child. As parents, you are your child’s first teachers. Most of your child’s learning takes place at home with your families, as you are creating an environment where your child is learning skills (such as social interactive skills), values, core beliefs that become an integral part of their own personal identities. As parents we have the potential and capabilities to create a solid foundation upon which our children can flourish, thrive and evolve.
However, it is impossible to be perfect all the time. With children growing up OH! so very quickly, everyday can present itself as a new challenge to test of our patience, boundaries, breakdowns and flaring tempers.
An important message I would like to convey to each one of you is to remember to not only teach your child, but make sure that you act in the way that you expect your child to act.
As parent we need to provide-
- Unconditional love and support
- Increase children’s self-confidence and self-esteem
- Provide them with various opportunities to play and learn from other children
- Engage in conversations and talks with them
- Work together with their schools and support their teachers
- Create safe and secure surroundings
- And most importantly laying down appropriate guidance and discipline for the young nurturing minds.
A child’s physical and mental health are both important. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially, learn new skills, develop healthy interactions with friends and peers. It also develops children into resilient and well-adjusted adults.
No one is perfect and no family is perfect. There will be times when you are faced with challenges and parenting can be overwhelming.
Take a Step Back, Reflect and TH!NK OUT LOUD!!
If your feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and disappointed. There is help available!! Reach out today, seek professional help so that you can protect your child’s tomorrow.
We need to treat a child’s mental health just like we do their physical health, by giving it thought and attention and, when needed, professional help as well. It is important that we as a community fight the stigma in our society, talk and create awareness of mental illness and how it’s affecting the youth and together we can fight the barriers that prevent us from providing effective mental healthcare to our children.
Let’s discuss your problems and work on solutions together over a cup of coffee. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for your time. And Happy Parenting!!!
Yours faithfully
Anushree Chhabria