Ease pressure on Hong Kong children and your marriage, says government advisory body ahead of package launch
New literature from government advisory body will be available from all hospitals from June
Shirley Marie Therese Loo, convenor of the Family Council's subcommittee on the promotion of family core values and family education, gave the example of a parent refusing to let her child help another with their homework in case they got better grades, then wondering why her own child struggled to make friends.
The Home Affairs Bureau's family education package, which will include a diary for parents of newborns, will be rolled out at all hospitals across the city in June. It seeks to encourage parents to reduce the pressure they put on their children.
Loo said raising children should be joyful and relaxing but some parents gave so much attention to their children, they risked putting a strain on their marriage. They should also take some time for their partner and go out for a walk to relax and talk about the problems they are facing, she said, adding: "A good marriage is the key to the family education of the children."
Loo also discouraged the use of money and expensive gifts as a reward for good grades. Education was a life journey, she said and parents should be patient.
She recommended limiting activities to allow children space and time to develop their own interests.
The designer of the package, Prudence Mak Ngar-tuen, encouraged parents to read it with their children.
Mak, the founder of local design brand Chocolate Rain, said despite having a great interest in art, she had a poor relationship with her father who discouraged her from pursuing her passion.
She said parents should let children try different activities to develop interests naturally, but should not push them too hard.
The educational package will include a book, workshops, radio programmes and a website designed to help parents from newborn stage onwards.
