Please suggest ways I can teach my children the values of gratitude and empathy in a highly competitive environment.

— Dipa Das, Mumbai

Here are some strategies to instill valuable life skills such as gratitude and empathy in your children:

Practice gratitude daily. Ask your children to write down a list of things they are grateful for every day. The list can be small but encourage them to write daily. Engage in conversations with them, sharing your thoughts and expressing gratitude for things and people in your life.

Volunteer together. Participate in community service activities, such as volunteering with a local NGO. Explain the importance of helping the underprivileged to your children.

Emphasize effort over outcome. Encourage your child for their efforts and consideration of gratitude, rather than emphasizing the outcomes.

Teach empathy through stories and role-play. Encourage them to read books that explore empathy and gratitude.

Lead by example. The best way to teach children is to lead by example. Be grateful and empathetic in your actions.

My child excels in competitive sports, but the pressure is becoming intense. How can I prevent burnout?

— Mishika Nimbe, Mumbai

It’s important to balance training schedules with rest to prevent physical burnout. Here are my recommendations:

Prioritise rest and recovery. Ensure your child gets adequate sleep. All sportsmen take rest days to allow the body to recover and recharge, improving on-field performance. Also, provide your child with a nutritious and healthy diet.

Encourage open communication. Create a cheerful home environment for your child to express her feelings and look for signs of stress and/or burnout. Also, explain the importance of balancing achievement with rest to her.

Professional guidance. Consult a sports psychologist to counsel her and manage stress and anxiety. Moreover, discuss a balanced training routine with her coach.

Remember, the goal is to foster a love for sports, not just winning. By focusing on enjoyment, balance, and long-term health, you can support your child to excel on the field.

Post-pandemic, my daughter (10) is afraid of crowded public places. How can I assist her to regain her confidence and feel safe in public spaces?

— Greeshma Dewars, Bengaluru

Understandably, she feels anxious in crowded public places after the pandemic. Here are some ways to ease her anxiety and build confidence:

Gradual exposure. Start small, with short-duration outings to semi-crowded places, such as a nearby park or grocery store.

Enroll in activity classes. Encourage her to enroll in extracurricular activity classes where she will get an opportunity to meet peers. This will build her confidence.

Provide positive feedback. Reward your child whenever she makes an effort outside of her comfort zone. This will encourage her to try new things and boost her confidence.

Role-playing. Practice meeting new people and facing a crowd at home. For instance, role-play a trip to the grocery store.

Seek professional help. If you believe your daughter’s anxiety is severe or persistent, consult a child psychologist.

Moreover, be patient and understanding. Slowly expose her to public places, appreciate her efforts, and support her to overcome her fears.