Q I am a single mother of a 15-year-old daughter who is currently preparing for her Caribbean examinations Council examinations in 2009.

My concerns go way back to prep school, where she did exceptionally well academically, during the school year. However, the minute she hears of final end-of-year examinations, she freezes.

Her grades in class test and final examinations are comparable and all the comments from teachers are that she panics when there is a final exam.

I am now worried as I have really tried very hard to provide her with comfort, books, extra-curricular activities, mentors, help with assignments and extra lessons with private tutors.

She herself says she is worried about CXCs as that is where the pressure is going to be.

Please, help me ease her discomfort as I really want her to succeed well in order to make something good of her life.

AYour child needs to be assessed by a psychologist to determine the reason for the anxiety that she shows during the exam period. Concerns for fear of failure and how family members and friends may respond to her not doing well may be a big issue for her.

The counselling she will receive will involve not just your daughter but yourself and other members of the family, depending on what she shares with the psychologist or counsellor. An organised study plan will be very helpful so that even if she panics during an exam, memory of the information may return after she has put into place relaxation techniques that she would have learnt during counselling.

QMy 10-year-old is refusing to go back to school because he thinks children will be unkind to him as he is overweight.

He is doing well in school and I do not want to move him. He has no close friends.

A Do you have a plan in place to help your child to lose weight? A diet plan will work wonders for his health and sense of esteem.

Encourage him to join a club at school, as he may make friends with other children with whom he will share common, out-of-school activities and interests.

QOur 16-year-old son was caught smoking marijuana at school in May. He was in rehab over the summer, but two weeks ago we caught he smoking it again. Should we send him to a private school with a smaller class size, instead of a government school, as he is being very rude and disrespectful?

AA private school with a smaller class size and counselling services may be very helpful for your child. I recommend that you continue counselling services with the rehab centre that your child was a part of this summer.

Be honest with the school administration concerning his mental and physical health as identified by the psychologist/ psychiatrist, as this will be critical in how he is treated if any problems arise.

POSITIVE Parenting