Q: I have an eight and a half year old son. He is an intelligent child. He can remember all the songs and film stories but when it comes to studies, he is just the opposite. He doesn't pay attention in his classroom or his tuitions. Being a single parent, its getting very tough for me to take his tantrums and excuses. He knows what is right and wrong but still manages to do everything wrong. On scolding him, he gets away by saying sorry, it happened by mistake and repeats the same mistake again and again. He is very talkative in school. At times, he misses his father. My husband and me had separated some time back. I'm really worried about my son. Please help.

A:I am not a marriage counsellor, so you will have to consult someone else about the problems related to your marriage. However, I feel that you would be at an advantage to have a letter in writing from the child's father, that he would take care of educational and other expenses of his son. It may not be necessary, but it might help if there is a change in financial arrangements. But do this tactfully and with the advice of members of your natal family or close friends. Children can sense when something goes wrong and can also express their feelings in unexpected ways. You will have to see that your son meets children of his own age for play after school hours. Don't fill up all the time with tuitions, but explain to him that you are making concessions for him and that he must cooperate with you. Make sure he meets some adult men in the family or outside, whom he can look up to and model himself on.