22 • MODULE FOUR: RELATIONSHIPS
- Discuss with the children how they think they can convince their parents. Also discuss with them
what a child can do for the family. Some of the suggestions would have already come from the
role plays. The list may look like this:
How do you convince parents/elders?
Choose a good time to talk to them.
Explain “why” quietly and in a respectful tone.
Listen to what they say and offer a solution or ask them to do so.
Talk to an older sibling, relative or adult who can help you.
What can you do?
Help your mother, sister, father, or brother.
Do not shout or be stubborn; be quiet but speak softly and assertively.
Look at the positive side and be appreciative.
Experience from the field
There were some street children who were not willing to talk about their families, especially with others.
Possibly this could be adapted by not being put in pairs. A drawing of the family can be used to avoid
discussion in pairs. (PCI)
Some children were willing to discuss in the group. Some were really missing their family and expressed it.
“I miss my grandmother, she understood me better” and “Our mother has left us and my younger sister
does not stay with us. Who will love her? I am worried about my mother.” These children had not
disclosed this information in their counseling session but did so here. Whenever the children have time,
they ask for the family drawing and sit and look at it. (CCDT, Sex workers children project)
Sometimes children (ages 12-14) may require an energizer, as this is a fairly long activity. A role play was
helpful too. (Positive Living Project, Namakkal)Linking Learning With Life
Talk to parents or older people in the community.- What did you play as a child?
- What food did you like the most?
- Can you remember a happy moment?
- Who were you closest to in your family?
- When you were angry, what did you do as a child?
- Did your parents say no to you for something you wanted? What did you do? Would you have
behaved differently?