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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8077 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 29, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jan 22, 2025
Money

I am 37 , married with no kids Investing 50 k monthly in diversified MF’s - current corpus value is 40 lks I own one house - worth 65 lks ( given on rent - setting off my loan emi) I stay in my family house Lic -value -15 lks Pf and ppf- 25 lks Own a term plan worth 50 lakhs . Other investments crypto and shares -10 lakhs Total monthly personal exp- 60000 How do i retire at 45 - ?

Ans: You have a strong foundation for early retirement. Retiring at 45 is challenging but achievable. A structured plan will help you reach this goal.

Current Financial Overview
Mutual Funds: Rs. 40 lakh (investing Rs. 50,000 monthly)

House: Worth Rs. 65 lakh (on rent, covering loan EMI)

LIC Policy: Rs. 15 lakh

PF & PPF: Rs. 25 lakh

Term Insurance: Rs. 50 lakh (adequate for now)

Crypto & Shares: Rs. 10 lakh

Monthly Expenses: Rs. 60,000 (Rs. 7.2 lakh annually)

Key Considerations for Early Retirement
Long Retirement Period

You need funds for 40+ years after retirement.
Inflation will double expenses in 12-15 years.
Investment Growth

Your portfolio must grow faster than inflation.
You need a mix of equity and fixed-income assets.
Sustainable Withdrawals

Unplanned withdrawals can drain your corpus early.
A structured withdrawal plan is needed.
Healthcare & Emergencies

Medical costs will rise with age.
A strong health fund is necessary.
Steps to Strengthen Your Retirement Plan
Increase Investments for the Next 8 Years
You are investing Rs. 50,000 monthly.
Increase it to Rs. 70,000 if possible.
Invest surplus bonuses and incentives in equity.
Keep at least 70% in equity mutual funds for higher returns.
Optimise Asset Allocation
Maintain 65-70% in equity mutual funds.
Keep 20-25% in debt instruments for stability.
Limit crypto exposure to 5% to manage risk.
Ensure liquidity by holding some cash or liquid funds.
Maximise Retirement Corpus
Mutual Funds: Continue SIPs aggressively.
PPF & EPF: Let them grow for stability.
Debt Instruments: Use for safe, steady income.
Rental Income: Can supplement your post-retirement cash flow.
Withdraw Smartly After Retirement
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) can provide a steady income.
Debt funds and fixed deposits should cover short-term needs.
Equity should remain invested for long-term growth.
Ensure Strong Health Coverage
Buy a Rs. 1 crore health insurance policy.
Consider a critical illness rider.
Keep Rs. 20-30 lakh as a dedicated health fund.
Manage Lifestyle Inflation
Avoid overspending post-retirement.
Travel and luxury expenses should be planned.
Reinvest surplus income to sustain longer.
Should You Consider Partial Retirement?
A part-time consultancy or passive income can help.
It reduces pressure on your corpus.
Allows flexibility in withdrawals.
Finally
Retiring at 45 is possible but needs disciplined investing.
Increase SIPs to build a strong retirement fund.
Plan withdrawals wisely to avoid early depletion.
Ensure strong healthcare and emergency funds.
Consider part-time income to support long-term sustainability.
Regularly review your financial plan to stay on track. Stay committed, stay invested, and make informed decisions.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8077 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 30, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi Sir, myself Prabhakar working as Asst Manager at PSU bank, 33 years old, salary 90,000/- gross in hand 60,000/- and 50 lakh saved money which is in Mutual Fund. Guide me to retire at 45 with Corpus of 5 Crore
Ans: Early Retirement Plan for Prabhakar (Age 33) - Reaching a ?5 Crore Corpus by Age 45
Retiring at 45 with a ?5 crore corpus is an ambitious goal, but achievable with a strategic and aggressive investment plan. Here's a roadmap to guide you, Prabhakar:

1. Analyzing Your Current Situation:

Savings: You have ?50 lakh invested in mutual funds and a monthly salary of ?60,000. This is a good starting point.
Time Horizon: You have 12 years (till age 45) to reach your target corpus.
Required Investment: To reach ?5 crore in 12 years, you'll need a high investment rate due to the short timeframe.
2. Investment Strategy:

High Equity Allocation: Considering your long investment horizon and risk tolerance (discuss risk tolerance with your advisor), a significant portion (70-80%) of your investments should be in equity mutual funds. Aim for diversified funds across market capitalization (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap) and sectors.
Debt Allocation: Maintain a 20-30% allocation in debt instruments like PPF, EPF (if applicable), or low-risk debt funds for stability and emergency purposes.
SIPs and Additional Investments: Increase your SIP contributions significantly. Consider investing a substantial portion of your monthly salary (around ?40,000 - ?50,000) in equity SIPs. Explore lump sum investments (bonuses, inheritances) into equity funds for faster corpus building.
3. Aggressive Growth (High Risk):

Direct Equity: A small portion (5-10%) can be allocated to directly investing in high-growth potential stocks. This approach offers potentially higher returns but carries significant risk. Conduct thorough research before choosing individual stocks.
4. Important Considerations:

Risk Tolerance: This aggressive strategy involves a higher risk profile. Carefully assess your risk tolerance and comfort level with potential market fluctuations.
Market Volatility: Be prepared for market ups and downs. Stay invested for the long term to ride out market cycles and benefit from compounding.
Professional Guidance: Consulting a qualified financial advisor specializing in aggressive growth strategies can be highly beneficial. They can create a personalized plan considering your risk profile and investment goals.
5. Additional Tips:

Emergency Fund: Maintain a separate emergency fund (3-6 months of living expenses) to cover unexpected costs and avoid disrupting your retirement plan.
Debt Management: Clear any high-interest debt (credit cards, personal loans) to free up more funds for investments.
Lifestyle Management: Living frugally and minimizing unnecessary expenses allows you to save more and reach your target corpus faster.
Reaching a ?5 crore corpus by 45 is ambitious and requires a high-risk approach. It's crucial to understand the potential risks involved and ensure your comfort level with market volatility.

Remember, this is just a general guideline. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice based on your specific circumstances and risk tolerance is highly recommended.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8077 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 19, 2024

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Hello Team, I am 39 yrs old and currently have 40 lakhs in mutual fund and doing a SIP of 1lakh 10 k monthly, i have shares around 15 lakhs and around 22 lakhs in crypto and 14 lakhs in PF. Currently i have 13 lakhs home loan, 4.5 lakhs car loan and also bought a new house where 1.9 cr loan will be taken. My plan is to sell the current house which will fetch me 1 cr so ideally 90 lakhs loan will remain in future. Please advise me how can i retire at 45 with corpus of 5 to 6 cr.
Ans: Frst, congratulations on building a substantial investment portfolio and planning for your financial future. Managing diverse investments and loans can be challenging, but with strategic planning, your goals are achievable.

Current Assets and Liabilities
Let's summarise your financial standing:

Mutual Funds: ?40 lakhs
SIPs: ?1.10 lakhs monthly
Shares: ?15 lakhs
Cryptocurrency: ?22 lakhs
Provident Fund (PF): ?14 lakhs
Home Loan (Existing): ?13 lakhs
Car Loan: ?4.5 lakhs
New Home Loan: ?1.9 crores (expected to reduce to ?90 lakhs after selling the current house)
Evaluating Your Retirement Goal
You aim to retire at 45 with a corpus of ?5 to ?6 crores. Given your current age of 39, you have six years to build this corpus.

Managing Existing Loans
Current Home Loan
You plan to sell your current house for ?1 crore, which will help reduce your new home loan to ?90 lakhs. This is a sound strategy to lower your debt.

Car Loan
The car loan of ?4.5 lakhs is relatively small. Consider paying it off early if possible, as this will reduce your monthly outflows and save on interest.

Investment Strategy
Mutual Funds and SIPs
You have ?40 lakhs in mutual funds and a monthly SIP of ?1.10 lakhs. This disciplined approach will significantly contribute to your retirement corpus.

Continue Your SIPs: Maintaining your SIPs is crucial. Consider increasing the SIP amount if your income allows, as this will accelerate your corpus growth.

Actively Managed Funds: Focus on actively managed funds with a consistent performance record. These funds aim to outperform the market and can help achieve your target returns.

Equity Investments
You have ?15 lakhs in shares. Equities can provide high returns over the long term, but they are volatile.

Diversification: Ensure your equity portfolio is diversified across sectors to manage risk.

Regular Review: Monitor your equity investments and rebalance your portfolio as needed to align with market conditions.

Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency investments worth ?22 lakhs are high-risk. While they can offer substantial returns, the volatility is significant.

Limit Exposure: Consider limiting your exposure to cryptocurrencies to avoid excessive risk.

Reallocate Gains: If there are substantial gains, consider reallocating some of these funds to more stable investments.

Retirement Corpus Calculation
Estimating Required Returns
To achieve a corpus of ?5 to ?6 crores in six years, you need to focus on high-growth investments while managing risks.

Compound Growth
Your existing investments and monthly SIPs will grow significantly due to compounding. Here’s a simplified approach:

Mutual Funds and SIPs: With aggressive and balanced mutual funds, aim for an annualised return of 12-15%.

Equities and Crypto: While high-risk, these can offer returns above 15%, but exposure should be managed carefully.

Debt Management
Reducing Loan Burden
Pay Off Small Loans: Clear the car loan and any other small debts to reduce financial stress.

New Home Loan: Focus on prepaying the new home loan. Reducing this loan early will significantly lower your interest burden and increase disposable income for investments.

Professional Guidance
Consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help tailor your investment strategy. A CFP can provide personalised advice, monitor your portfolio, and make necessary adjustments.

Regular Monitoring and Rebalancing
Review Portfolio: Regularly review your investment portfolio to ensure alignment with your retirement goals.

Rebalance Investments: Periodically rebalance your investments to manage risk and optimise returns.

Conclusion
With disciplined investing, strategic debt management, and professional guidance, retiring at 45 with a corpus of ?5 to ?6 crores is achievable. Focus on high-growth investments, manage risks, and regularly review your portfolio to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8077 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 24, 2024

Money
Hi Sir, I am 42 year old and would like to retire by 45. Currently my investment are 1cr in Mutual fund, 60 lakhs in PF, 50 lakhs worth plot. I have a 10 year kid, please advise how can I retire at 45 and monthly expenses is around 60k.
Ans: At 42, you’re planning to retire in just three years. You have Rs 1 crore in mutual funds, Rs 60 lakhs in Provident Fund (PF), and a plot worth Rs 50 lakhs. Your monthly expenses are Rs 60,000, and you also have a 10-year-old child.

This is a crucial moment to evaluate how to retire comfortably while securing your child’s future.

Appreciating Your Current Efforts
First, you’ve already accumulated a significant corpus in mutual funds and provident funds. This is an excellent step toward financial independence. Having Rs 1.6 crore in liquid investments is a good start. You also have Rs 50 lakhs worth of property.

Let’s analyse whether these assets will be enough to sustain your retirement and ensure you meet future financial commitments.

Key Financial Considerations for Early Retirement
Before retiring, you must assess several factors:

Lifespan Post-Retirement: If you retire at 45, you need your savings to last for possibly 35-40 years.

Inflation Impact: Rs 60,000 monthly expenses will increase with inflation. Even at 6% inflation, your monthly needs may double in 12 years.

Child’s Education and Marriage: With a 10-year-old child, you’ll have significant expenses ahead, like higher education and marriage.

Healthcare Costs: With age, medical expenses will likely increase. You need to have a solid healthcare fund.

Let’s look at each aspect closely.

Monthly Expenses After Retirement
You mentioned your current monthly expenses are Rs 60,000. Assuming a 6% inflation rate, these expenses will rise significantly in the next 20 years. The amount you need for monthly expenses must be adjusted accordingly to ensure it covers future inflation.

Here’s what you need to plan for:

Inflation-Adjusted Income: Post-retirement, your monthly expenses will increase, and your corpus should be able to generate this income.

Sustainable Withdrawal: You need to decide on a safe withdrawal rate. This will ensure that you don’t run out of money during retirement.

Contingency Fund: Unforeseen expenses or emergencies must be accounted for. A contingency fund should be a part of your retirement plan.

Diversification and Allocation of Your Existing Funds
You currently have Rs 1 crore in mutual funds, Rs 60 lakhs in PF, and Rs 50 lakhs worth of plot. It’s essential to structure these assets to provide income throughout your retirement.

Mutual Fund Allocation: Rs 1 crore is a significant amount. However, it’s essential to review the type of mutual funds you’ve invested in. If they’re primarily small or mid-cap funds, the risk may be too high for retirement. A shift to more conservative, actively managed funds will help ensure stable growth with less risk.

Provident Fund: The Rs 60 lakhs in PF will offer more stability, but it may not grow aggressively enough to outpace inflation. PF is a good safety net, but it’s important to not rely solely on it for long-term growth.

Plot Value: Real estate is not a liquid asset. Selling the plot may be challenging when you need immediate funds. Real estate can also have market volatility. It is better not to depend on real estate for regular income. Consider selling the plot and investing the proceeds in mutual funds or other growth-oriented investments.

Structuring Investments for Steady Retirement Income
To ensure a steady income during retirement, you need to rebalance your portfolio. Here’s a suggested allocation:

Equity Mutual Funds: Continue to maintain equity exposure for growth, but reduce the risk by shifting to large-cap or balanced funds. These funds offer growth potential with moderate risk.

Debt Funds: Allocate a portion to debt mutual funds. They provide regular income with low risk. It ensures stability and helps meet monthly expenses.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): You can use an SWP from mutual funds to generate a regular income. This allows you to withdraw a fixed amount periodically without selling your entire investment.

Balanced Portfolio: Create a portfolio with a mix of equity and debt. Equity will offer growth, and debt will provide stability and regular returns.

Child’s Education and Marriage Planning
Your child is 10 years old, and within the next 8-10 years, you will need to fund higher education. You also need to plan for marriage expenses.

Education Fund: Estimate how much you’ll need for your child’s education. Start a separate investment plan to grow this corpus. Large-cap equity funds or hybrid funds can be considered for this goal.

Marriage Fund: Marriage is another big financial responsibility. Setting aside a separate fund for this will ensure you don’t compromise on your retirement corpus.

Avoid Over-Reliance on Real Estate: Your plot worth Rs 50 lakhs can be a fallback option, but real estate investments can be uncertain. It’s better to build a financial corpus rather than rely on selling property.

Healthcare and Insurance Planning
Healthcare expenses will increase as you age. Post-retirement, you won’t have the benefit of employer-provided insurance. Hence, it is essential to have a comprehensive health insurance policy.

Health Insurance: Ensure you have sufficient health insurance for yourself and your spouse. Also, review your policy coverage every few years to account for rising medical costs.

Medical Emergency Fund: Set aside a separate medical fund. This should not be included in your regular retirement corpus. Medical expenses can be unpredictable, so this fund will provide financial security in emergencies.

Cash Flow Management Post Retirement
Post-retirement, it’s important to manage your cash flow properly. Your investments should provide a stable income that increases with inflation.

Regular Review: It’s essential to regularly review your portfolio. This ensures that your investments are performing well and meeting your financial needs.

Income vs. Expenses: Track your monthly income and expenses. Make sure that your withdrawals are sustainable. Avoid overspending or withdrawing too much from your corpus early on.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund that can cover at least 12 months of expenses. This provides a cushion for any unexpected financial shocks.

Reducing Dependence on Risky Assets
Since your time horizon is only three years, reducing exposure to high-risk investments is essential. You need a more conservative approach to preserve your wealth.

Shift from High-Risk Funds: If your mutual funds are heavily invested in high-risk categories like small-cap funds, consider rebalancing them to large-cap or balanced funds.

Asset Allocation: Review the overall asset allocation. As you near retirement, ensure a 60-40 or 70-30 equity-to-debt ratio. This will help in capital preservation while ensuring some growth.

Avoid Direct Real Estate: Direct real estate investments can lock up your capital. Focus on more liquid investments that can generate regular income.

Final Insights
Retiring at 45 is an ambitious goal, but with careful planning, it can be achieved. The key is to ensure that your retirement corpus is diversified, inflation-adjusted, and capable of generating a regular income.

Your current investments of Rs 1 crore in mutual funds and Rs 60 lakhs in provident funds are a solid foundation. However, you must review and adjust these investments to balance growth and stability. It’s also important to have a plan for your child’s future education and marriage expenses.

A certified financial planner can help create a customised financial plan. This will help you achieve your retirement goals while considering all aspects of your financial future.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8077 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 15, 2024Hindi
Money
I am 34 years of age. I have 10 lakh of land property, 6 lakh of Gpf and Pf savings. And I have 2 lakh of mutual fund ( Monthly 25 thousand per month) till now. My monthly salary is 1 lakh per month. Have home loan of 10 thousand per month EMI. What to do to retire at 45 with the corpus of 1 corer. ?
Ans: You’re 34 years old and aiming to retire at 45 with a Rs 1 crore corpus. Let's first break down how to achieve this goal while considering your current investments, savings, and loan obligations.

Current Financial Snapshot
Land property: Rs 10 lakh
GPF/PF savings: Rs 6 lakh
Mutual fund investment: Rs 2 lakh
Monthly SIP: Rs 25,000
Home loan EMI: Rs 10,000 per month
Salary: Rs 1 lakh per month
You have a steady salary, a manageable home loan EMI, and a good start with mutual fund investments. However, reaching Rs 1 crore by age 45 requires careful planning and disciplined investment.

Step 1: Assessing Your Retirement Goal
Your target is to accumulate Rs 1 crore in the next 11 years. With Rs 2 lakh in mutual funds and a SIP of Rs 25,000 per month, you're on the right track, but some adjustments can optimize your path.

Investment Growth Assumption: Assuming a 10% annual return on your mutual fund investments, your current SIPs may not be enough to reach Rs 1 crore. You will need to increase your monthly SIP over time.

Retirement Lifestyle: A Rs 1 crore corpus may provide around Rs 5-6 lakh per year as a sustainable withdrawal. This might not be sufficient for a comfortable retirement lifestyle in urban areas, especially with rising inflation and unforeseen expenses.

Action Plan:
Increase your monthly SIP: From Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 or more if possible. This will accelerate the growth of your retirement corpus.

Review mutual fund portfolio: Ensure you're investing in a mix of actively managed equity mutual funds and hybrid funds to achieve long-term growth.

Land Property: Keep the land property as part of your overall portfolio. It may appreciate over time, but don’t rely on it solely for retirement unless you plan to sell it and reinvest the proceeds.

Step 2: Analyzing Monthly Expenses and Loan Obligations
You have a home loan EMI of Rs 10,000 per month, which seems manageable considering your salary. Clearing this loan before retirement would reduce financial stress in your later years.

Action Plan:
Prepay the home loan: Use any additional savings or bonuses to prepay your loan. This will free up funds that can be redirected toward your retirement savings.

Maintain Emergency Fund: Ensure you have at least 6 months’ worth of expenses set aside as an emergency fund in liquid funds or fixed deposits.

Step 3: Maximizing Investment Options
In addition to mutual funds, explore other tax-efficient investment options like NPS (National Pension Scheme) and PPF (Public Provident Fund). These will offer long-term growth with tax benefits.

PPF: It’s a low-risk option with a decent interest rate and can be a stable part of your retirement corpus.

NPS: Consider increasing your contributions to the NPS if you’re not already maximizing the tax benefit under Section 80CCD(1B) (up to Rs 50,000 deduction).

Reaching Rs 1 Crore at Age 40 with a Dental Practice
You are currently 33 years old, working in your own dental clinic, and aim to accumulate Rs 1 crore by age 40. This is an ambitious but achievable goal if you continue investing wisely.

Current Financial Snapshot
Mutual funds: Rs 15 lakh
Stocks, PPF, FD: Rs 6 lakh in stocks, Rs 2 lakh in PPF, Rs 3 lakh in FD
Real estate: Rs 2 lakh
NPS: Rs 1.8 lakh
Car loan: Rs 3 lakh
Income: Rs 1.2 lakh per month
Monthly expenses: Rs 35,000 (groceries, EMI, miscellaneous)
With Rs 15 lakh in mutual funds and Rs 1.2 lakh in monthly income, you’re in a good position. However, accumulating Rs 1 crore in 7 years will require you to focus more on your investment strategy and possibly increase your savings rate.

Step 1: Increase Your Investment Contributions
To reach Rs 1 crore by age 40, you need to consistently invest a higher portion of your income.

Action Plan:
Increase monthly SIPs: With your current Rs 15 lakh in mutual funds, you may need to increase your monthly SIPs to Rs 50,000 or more.

Reassess stock investments: Ensure your stock portfolio is well-diversified and aligned with your risk tolerance. Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to optimize your stock allocation for growth.

Step 2: Managing Your Loans
You have a car loan with Rs 3 lakh outstanding. Clearing this loan within the next three years is a good goal, but ensure that the EMI payments don’t hinder your ability to save for retirement.

Action Plan:
Prepay the car loan: If possible, consider prepaying the car loan faster to free up more funds for investment.

Debt management: Avoid taking on any new loans until you’re on track with your Rs 1 crore target.

Step 3: Planning for Lifestyle Goals
You’ve mentioned wanting to take more breaks from your clinic, close for a day or two each week, and take holidays abroad. This is a reasonable goal but requires careful planning to ensure your business continues to thrive.

Action Plan:
Build a business buffer: Set aside a separate fund to cover business expenses for those weeks you plan to take off. This ensures that your clinic operations remain smooth without affecting your personal finances.

Increase passive income: Consider diversifying your investments into assets that can generate passive income, like mutual funds with a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), once your portfolio grows. This will provide you with a steady income even during periods when you take time off.

Final Insights
For both cases:

SIPs: Increasing your monthly SIP is crucial to reaching Rs 1 crore. A goal-focused investment strategy with actively managed equity funds will offer better long-term growth.

Debt management: Prepay your loans as soon as possible to free up cash flow for investments. Prioritizing debt reduction will reduce financial strain.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.

Lifestyle adjustments: Both of you can afford to take holidays or reduce working days, but planning for these lifestyle goals should go hand-in-hand with maintaining business stability and ensuring your long-term financial security.

Professional Guidance: Consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to regularly review and adjust your portfolio as you move closer to your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

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Archana

Archana Deshpande  |103 Answers  |Ask -

Image Coach, Soft Skills Trainer - Answered on Mar 04, 2025

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Hi Mam, Hope you are doing well. I am very worried about my son who is now 12.5 years old and studying in 7th standard in a very reputed school. Since childhood, he has no interest in studies, unless we doesn't seat in front of him, he doesn't study. Every teacher from his kindergarten days upto now has the same complaint that he is doesn't pay attention in class and the result is he doesn't get good marks in the exam. When we scold him for studies, he does it for that particular time only and then get back to his non-interest mode again and start to run from studies. He will play video games, goes to play around with his friends, he will find some or the other reason for not doing studies or homework. The irony is that he is not interested in any sports or any other kind of activities. In every summer holidays, we make him to join some sports or music classes, but there also he doesn't show interest and do things just for the sake of showing. From last year, we have started sending him to tuitions also, but no change in attitude. This year we have found a teacher of his reputed school who is retired and taking tuitions, we are sending him to her and she is charging a big amount for tuitions. please guide how can we change his attitude and make him more serious in any activity he does as he doesn't have interest in anything (we have observed doing everything we can).
Ans: Hello Sunil!!

I am doing great, thank you for asking, God bless you!

I can totally understand when you say you are worried.

Your son is 12.5, he will soon be a teenager. There will be different challenges, I want you to read up on parenting a teenager and be ready to handle him well.

The problem as I see it is that everyone of you, his teachers included have made studies like a burden for him.... and subjected the young child to a lot of anxiety, he just wants to run away form it....
"Every teacher from his kindergarten days upto now has the same complaint that he is doesn't pay attention in class".... this statement of yours... it is the teacher's duty to ensure the child listens to him/her, how can she start labeling a child like this. From a young age your son has been conditioned to believe that he is not not good in studies, he doesn't focus and he doesn't sit in one place. All my sympathies are with your son...every child comes with immense potential and it's our duty as parents and teachers to nurture the child.

The following is what I propose so that we bring him back to loving to learn ( not score marks, that should never be the barometer)-
1. Love your child the way he is now
2. Give him lot of positive strokes
3. Have one on one sessions for any activity you plan for him... let him choose the activity, empower him
4. choose a teacher, who can get along with him and help him develop a positive attitude towards studies and life in general
5. look for a school where they nurture him... not just a reputed one...less number of students and a teacher who is invested in her/ his students,

If you can connect with me, I can help him. Have had many a students in this kind situation.
This is my website..
https://transformme.co.in/

Loads of best wishes to the whole family..

...Read more

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DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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