LIFE

Dear Carol,
All my parents care about are grades. Last report card, I got a C in math. I thought they were going to kill me. Whenever I try to talk to them about how I feel, they yell at me. My mom is not as bad as my dad. I know they care about my education, but they hurt my feelings.
—Sick of It

Dear Sick of It,
If you want to tell them how you feel but can’t do it in a conversation, write it in a note. Did you get a good grade they forgot to praise? Say so. Tell them you want to hear when they’re proud, not just when they’re disappointed. But remember that they care about your education because they care about you and your future.

Might it help if you got a math tutor? Maybe a high school student can bring you up to speed over the summer, without charging too much. Your math teacher or guidance counselor can probably recommend someone. It is hard to excel in school when you feel pressure on all sides. But psych yourself up now for getting off to a strong start in September. Plan to move up to the front row, keep an organized assignment pad, find a quiet place to work, do your best, and your grades will go up, guaranteed. Not only will your parents be pleased, but you’ll feel good about it too.

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by Carol Weston | 2/17/2019