Parental inattention is a complex problem, educators say
Communication with parents and students at the heart of resolving such concerns
Some of the telltale signs of parental inattention among children include shabby dressing, poor hygiene, lack of parental response to school notes, and incomplete homework, according to educators.
“Insufficient parental involvement is a complex matter, and no school can guarantee that it will be able to spot every instance of a problem that can manifest in different ways. But it can sometimes be obvious when a child becomes withdrawn or when they get quieter than usual,” Simon Corns, headmaster, told
“If these things happen once, it does not mean that the child is facing parental neglect. However, if it keeps happening, teachers are trained to flag them and intervene,” added Sandra Zaher, director at Al Nahda National Girls School.
“Our job as educators is not to condemn parents but to guide them,” Zaher said. Brighton College, At a restaurant on a family outing, do not bring along your smart phones or e-devices. Avoid having your family eat dinner in front of the TV or when everyone is checking their Facebook accounts. There is family presence but the family is not present
According to Dr Rose Logan, a psychologist, “For example, if there are two children and each has a number of hobbies, family time becomes time spent driving around to different activities, with the emphasis [being] on achievement, rather than [achieving family] engagement.”
No overscheduling please.
In cases of parental inattention, academic performance does not always suffer, Corns added. “But a child’s interaction with his or her peers might become strained. In other cases, they always have the best and newest devices or clothing in a phenomenon known as benign neglect,” Corns said.
Zaher advised that parents spend at least half an hour doing something enjoyable together with children every single day.