AFVOA Newletters of Year 2002

Page 10 of 84 Col N Viswanathan 433 6659 A nominal amount of Rs. 40/- per head is being requested as contribution from each one to defray part of the expenses on account of transportation, accommodation and catering. The amount should be sent in advance to Col N Viswanathan, care Jaybeear Investments and Finance, Palani Centre (Basement), No 32, Venkatanaryana Road, T.Nagar, Chennai – 600 017. %%%%%%%%%%%%% The Apple of your Eye ~ contributed by Smt Aparna Krishnan In the last few decades there has been a sea change in society, with the joint family system gradually giving way to nuclear families. The days, when children often grew up in large families and were often brought up more by the grandparents or other elders has more or less given way, to the child being brought up by the parents themselves. Added to this, is the small family norm that is more in vogue today. Notwithstanding all this, due to the sort of nomadic life that service officers have to lead while in uniform, and the fact frequently that the lady of the house has also taken up employment, it is desirable where possible that grandparents are roped into look after the children. Some of the schools are now including grandparents along with the parents to attend the Parents – Teachers – Association meets. Smt Aparna Krishnan, wife of Lt Cdr Kartik Krishnan, has compiled an interesting hand out entitled ‘The Apple of the Eye’. The article has been handed over by the fond grandparent (Col A Krishnaswami VrC, VSM**, whose daughter in law she is). The contents are being shared with the readers in the true spirit of the words of Lord Byron that happiness is to be shared. Whether you share a home with your grandchildren or live hundreds of kilometres away, you can make a difference in how well they do in school. Five key ways you can help your grandchildren do their best in school can be done by remembering the word APPLE . A - ASK P - PRAISE P - PARTICIPATE L - LEARN E - ENCOURAGE ASK Keeping in touch with your grandchildren can help them do better in school. This is done by:  Be specific: Ask questions such as: “What was the best thing that happened today?”  Keep up to Date: Ask your children and grandchildren to keep you informed.  Entertainment: Talk about books, movies and TV shows you share with them. PRAISE Self-confidence is important and is more evident in schools. Confident children do not give up when an assignment is difficult. They are not afraid to raise their hands and ask questions, or try again when they make a mistake. They believe that they will succeed and they do.  Praise them often: Praise helps the children to continue to try and learn more and do better,  Tell Why: Tell them as to why you are proud of them. Compliments work best when they relate to specifics.  Do Not Compare: Praise your grandchildren for what they do – do not compare them with others in the family or outside.