At the time of exam results, it is not only the students who are worried. It is a common phenomenon to observe parents who are equally hassled and apprehensive of their child’s results, and they tend to attach more importance in terms of deciding factors for the child’s future as well. The following are certain points to be kept in mind for parents to help deal with the time of exam results:

1. Don’t blame the child. Remember, if your child’s performance has not met your expectations, it is not just you who is disappointed, and your child is likely to have been affected by the same. Therefore, it is important for you as a responsible adult to be realistic, and not to add to the burden on the child. Let the children know that you trust their abilities and believe in their strengths.

2. Have realistic expectations. As a parent, it is important for us to have reasonable and realistic expectations from our child. Remember, each child has his or her own capabilities, and therefore it would be unfair to the child to expect their performance to exceed their potential.

3. Listen to the child. Before you give your feedback and opinion, it is important to talk to your child, and give them a listening ear. Provide them with a chance to have their say first, and acknowledge their point of view, and sit with the child to help decide the next steps of action.

4. Don’t talk about the past. Shift the focus to what needs to be done. It is easy to get stuck in the rut of wishful thinking, both for you and your child, wishing that things had not worked out the way they did. As the saying goes, crying over spilt milk is of no use. However, as a parent, you need to bring the focus on the future plans.

5. Be on the lookout for warning signs. Given the immense pressure of academics on children in today’s world, with the competition of admissions and entrance exams, it is important for us as parents to be aware of the warning signs for any depressive features like staying aloof, disinterest in activities, social withdrawal, increased irritability, etc.

6. Be open to seeking guidance. Given the wide range of options available today, it can be confusing for both you and your child to be able to pick a career option or choice of subject. Instead of struggling with these hassles on your own, do not hesitate to seek professional advice of experts in the field. A career evaluation and counselling could help provide an accurate description of the child’s potential aptitude and personality, and therefore could aid in the decision of choosing a career most suited to your child.