Parental pressure

In the first chapter of this book, I referenced Larkin's This Be The Verse as it's something which often comes into my mind as a parent. It's not the first expletive-laden line which has the impact but the second sentence: 'They may not mean to, but they do.' And at the heart of that is often the problem of parental pressure.
You love and cherish your child. You want the very best for him or her and you want them not to fail or be upset; to achieve in areas where perhaps you didn't. You encourage them and nurture them; try and give them all the opportunities to find their passions and interests so they can succeed and be happy. But in the vortex of school life, that encouragement can become unhealthy and too pressured if you don't regularly check yourself. You can always see it in others – the parent who encourages too much, that unhealthy vicarious ambition writ large. But how do you see it in yourself? How do you get the balance right between encouragement and being too...
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This is exactly the sort of book which parents should be looking at to cut through the marketing glitz of independent school websites and prospectuses, and to focus in on the key issues around finding the right school for their child. Matthew's book offers a wealth of practical advice from someone who really knows the sector, giving parents all the right questions to ask of themselves and the schools they are visiting. If you're looking for a guide to tell you what the best school is, then this book isn't for you. If you want guidance and support to find the best school for your child, then look no further.
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Matthew's new and approachable parent guide to choosing a school is spot on. Naturally, the first thing I looked at was his commentary about Heads. Sage, sensible and savvy advice abounds, as does the caveats and cautions about over glossy marketing spin that schools pump out. The book is really well written, entirely from the perspective of supporting parents. It's also a gentle swipe at some of the nonsense schools promote and how to look past it. Parents, also take heed – there are really good pointers about how to be a great parent in your relationship with the school. Unglossed, direct and delivered with humour, Matthew's book helps make things easier for everyone, and in that way, your child has a better chance of being happy and thriving. Remember, it's a two-way relationship, you're not buying a washing machine.