TARTAN 2024
From the Principal’s Desk
‘The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice…’
- Peggy O’Mara
A popular adage in the bygone Victorian era was ‘Children should be seen and not heard’. This
philosophy of raising children only pushed them into the corner and their feelings, thoughts and
ideas were given no voice. However, we live in different times where our children take centre stage.
Yet, we are in a constant conundrum when it comes to nurturing them. How do we raise children to
be the conscientious adults of tomorrow?
Children usually do not respond well to parenting that is completely permissive or authoritarian. Either
way, disciplinary problems are bound to arise.
Permissive parenting allows the child to have many open vistas and to choose from a buffet of options,
hoping that he will learn to balance it out. But without guidelines and limits set, the child may be
swamped in the miry clay of too many choices. He might challenge family rules and societal norms,
become more of a ‘taker’ than a ‘giver’ and grow up without conscience or accountability.
Authoritarian parenting often looks like it will work as the parent thinks ahead for the child and decides
for him. The tone of the voice is a sufficient command for the child to gear up and obey. However,
if children are not allowed to question, suggest or state their opinions, they will become submissive
TARTAN 2024