Nadia Buckus
As a parent, there are few pleasures greater than your child succeeding at school.
However, if you are putting too much pressure on your children to do well academically, it can backfire severely and end up affecting them negatively in a number of different ways.
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By having a parent lay pressure on them to succeed, a child can feel less inspired and more threatened. They’ll be so paralyzed by fear of not doing well, that they won’t actually learn and succeed like they otherwise would.
Plus, if they have feelings of anxiety, they are less likely to know what the culprit is. It is possible that they will place further blame for their bad feelings on themselves for not being smart enough, therefore causing more stress and anxiety.
If your child expresses any worrisome signs of stress pertaining to schoolwork, you need to speak with them about how they’re feeling and help them to feel better through reassurance.
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If you are adamant about your child matching the expectations you have set for them in school, then they are likely to have a difficult time coping, even if they miss the mark by just a little bit.
They will believe that success is based on perfection and if they can’t accomplish that, they might as well just give up.
If your child feels inadequate due to not achieving a certain grade, let them know that you’re there for them and that a grade doesn’t determine whether or not they’re a good person.Too much pressure to do well in school can cause children to do unethical things.
For instance, a child who has been told that they must get all A’s on their report card could feel pressured to cheat on an exam or assignment in order to fulfil that obligation.
They might also turn to drugs and/or alcohol or even suicide to deal with the stress. Keep a close eye on your child if they are showing any signs of seeming especially stressed out by school and talk to them if you have any questions or concerns.
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