Parents, students seek help to beat online class stress

MANGALURU: Counsellors here are increasingly seeing parents and children stressed out by online classes.
Homemaker Savitha Noronha (name changed), whose two children are in higher primary school, said she has been under stress like never before. “Classes for both children are from 2pm to 5pm. I had to buy two devices and juggle between classes to keep an eye on them. It’s difficult to deal with it. I hope schools change the timings,” she said.
It’s worse for working parents. “I take half a day off every time I have to attend online classes with my children,” said a working parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“I don’t know how to handle kids, work and chores,” says Radhika Rao, mother of a 7-year-old daughter and 11-year old son, in Bengaluru. “The school insists I’m around to help the younger one when he has to upload a project or do a test. It’s crazy when both need help at the same time and I’m in the midst of my work. It’s very stressful,” she added.
Shwetha KT of Anirveda Resource Centre for Psychological Wellbeing, Mangaluru, said most stressed out persons are working or single parents. Both parents and children are yet to get the hang of online education and some parents are worried their children will misuse gadgets given for online learning. “Compared to other cities, complaints of parents are fewer as classes here are held only a few hours, the maximum being four per day,” she pointed out.
Many children are under stress as they’re confined to their homes and there’s little interaction with peers. However, a few children are happy about online classes because there’s no rigid routine to be followed. “Children say they just need to wake up and sit in front of the gadget. There’s no need to wake up early, wear a uniform and carry a tiffin and bag and board a school bus,” said another counsellor.
Fr Robert D’Souza, principal, Lourdes Central School, Bejai, said school counsellors as well as teachers are communicating with parents and children when they spot signs of stress. He said: “We devised activities in which parents and children participate. We conduct week-long activities. It’s health week this time to develop awareness among students so that they understand the importance of a good diet, physical exercise and meditation.” Sr Philomene, principal, St Theresa School, said: “We have cases of two or more kids from the same house but there aren’t enough devices. We design classes such that the timings don’t overalap.”
“We use the same method to ensure kids don’t get stressed out,” said Mount Carmel Central School principal Sr Melissa.