A group of mothers, most of whom work as domestic help and had to drop out of school, attended sessions on parenting that would help them understand their children better.
The two-and-a-half-hour sessions were about the importance of listening to their children, being friends with them without overdoing it and being able to monitor their kids’ online activities.
NGO Calcutta Rescue, which works with underprivileged children and their families, conducted several sessions with 200-odd parents.
“Many of the children, adolescents or older, do not open up to their parents. They think since their parents are not educated, they will not understand them or their viewpoint. This makes parents feel very helpless. Through these sessions, we try to support them and help them improve communication with their children,” said Ananya Chatterjee, school administrator, Calcutta Rescue.
The parents have been told that if they give the children their phones they should be able to monitor the usage.
“We told them they can’t be allowed indiscriminate use of the phone. As parents they need to see what their children are watching even if the students are reluctant to show them,” said an official of Calcutta Rescue.
For children to open up to them, the parents have to be more understanding. If the son or daughter is in a relationship, the parent’s first response should not be to reprimand them but to talk to them.
“Often, the girl is banned from going out of the house. If the son is involved with someone, the parents go and pick a fight with the girl’s family. We have told them instead of resorting to these means, they should speak to the child,” said Chatterjee.
All parents attended each of the sessions despite daily life being a struggle for most of them.
Mother of three children Mehrun Nessa finished her work in two homes and then attended the session.
“It is important that we are both strict and friendly with our children,” she said.
Officials of Calcutta Rescue have noticed that parents are more involved in their children’s growth since the pandemic.
“Earlier, when we would have parent-teacher meets, there would be unwillingness to attend. But now, they find time from their work so they can attend the sessions,” said Chatterjee.