As a human being, most of us try our best to play different roles in others’ lives. Many of us strive to help others in the best ways possible. Although we try our best, we still sometimes lack somewhere, but here we need to understand that it is perfectly alright if we can play different roles at the same time. It is alright if we need to put our health first before looking after rothers’.
If we think of a student’s life, we can see many parents who try their best to play different roles in their child’s life and sometimes find it extremely difficult to manage the same. As a therapist, I have heard it from many of the parents complaining or feeling extremely sad seeing their children getting close to other people, especially their peers. And for the fact it is quite natural for peers to get more attached to their peers post they reach a certain age.
In a student’s life, many major stakeholders play a major role, and these stakeholders help divide the burden and do not put any one person to handle or manage all the roles.
- Immediate family members (parents + siblings)
The major members involved in this domain are the mother and the father. In addition to this close relatives include grandparents in case of joint family. These senior members of the family share a good bond with children and can effectively share the burden. If the senior members are retired, they can positively accompany the children to follow school and other learning as well as extracurricular activity schedules. As they can spare their valuable time for children, they can closely observe the children for behavioural changes if any. However, there needs to be a strong positive understanding between parents and other senior members regarding the upbringing style of children. The sharing of responsibilities in this way offers emotional support to the children which is very positive for maintaining their mental health.
Siblings also play a significant role in sharing the burden. Direct and indirect learning about values in life can be achieved by observing and sharing the time and resources with the siblings. An elder sister or brother can act as a role model and can influence a child easily. They can be of great help in academics and other activities. Children can be at ease to share and discuss their emotional stress and other problems, as this relationship makes them comfortable. It has been observed that at certain times, cousins can also develop a bond and play an important role.
If the senior family members or siblings are not there and the family develops a healthy, positive relationship with neighbours, then they can also support the young children in case of difficulty when immediate support is needed during working hours of parents.
There are examples where even In Charge of the daycare centre plans nutritious meals, introduces innovative games for child development, and offers strong support, especially for younger children. The child learns to share the food and can make friends in a positive environment at such centres, thus resulting in the sharing of burden in the case of working parents.
- School teachers – Apart from the home, student spend a good amount of their time at school. A significant amount of learning takes place in the educational system the student is part of. In which many significant stakeholders influence students’ lives. That is teachers, the principal, the school, etc.
- The school counsellors + psychologists – The school counsellors and psychologists play a major role. Many students go through different situations that cause them a lot of distress.
- Peers/friends – During adolescence, most children are close to their friends, and it is very natural for them to feel and think that their friends can understand them in a better way. Children follow the TPS- Think, Pair, and Share approach with friends. Learning becomes an enjoyable experience for a child when there is a close friend who can connect emotionally.
We human beings try our best to play different roles for others and try the different possible ways to help the people, we need to understand that one cannot pour from an empty vase, hence to be able to help others we first need to support ourselves. In the students’ lives, the above-mentioned stakeholders play a significant role in helping them develop holistically. Dividing the burden always helps, others and ourselves.
