Raising My Child – Philip

The stress is sooo constant.

Background info: As you have read earlier, besides homework, spelling is also new. If having 4 pages of homework every M-Thr is not enough (Fri homework is more)..the kindy also introduced spelling 3x a week. Spelling in Malay, Chinese and English. Now, tell me, a 4yo-going to 5yo..who even not mastered the writing skills yet, now have to go thru comprehension and not forgetting..shift in medium of instruction… WAH LAU EH

This happened on 9 Feb (Thur). Actual event. I am not making this up.

I was in the kitchen cleaning up and I left the running tap on to quickly go to P’s bag to get his water bottle and food box to wash. Since I was at the bag, I also quickly glance through his exercise book(s). As I was flipping one of them, I saw

x

x

x

0/3 meaning he failed his spelling. I was so furious. I called him and started scolding..

M: Look Philip..HOW COME GOT ZERO? I THOUGHT YOU LEARNED ALL THIS?

P: *philip gave me the blank look…EXTREMELY clueless* he replied ” Dont see

M: Why? Why you got zero? Last week you got them correct and why you cannot do it now?

P: Dont see

I then went back to the kitchen to off the tap. I cannot focus and so many things passed my mind. I cant continue the kitchen work. I left.

1) how come the teacher so sneaky to repeat previous spelling words?

2) how come, after the afternoon teacher coached him, and I coach him..and yet he failed?

This is how I teach him..

3) should I quit my job to coach him?

4) now is only beginning of the year, later of the year
? or when in year k2? more tough?

Then I came out of the kitchen, I continue with my scolding. Scold scold scold and Philip kinda defended back and said “MUMMY DONT SEE. CLOSE THE BOOK”

At that point, I told myself..

1) mou-yong la. sang jai la. being single already so “fu”…

2) can i really let go? dont care? if I dont care now, he may be worst off later

Then I decided, forget it. I can still change the future. Will think of something. As I closed his exercise book, I found this

and so, P took his friend book home. All these while I was scolding the wrong person.

At that point, I quickly apologised to P and I could see P smiled again.

*stupid mom (me)* *I really got to slap myself for this mistake*

After the hoo-haa, and after all the apologising and promising him (bring him shopping the weekend.. I even got the cheek to ask P

M: P..who is this xxx?  (typical me who is very kpc)

P:  My friend

M: Is he very naughty in class? playful and dont listen to teacher type? that’s why he got zero?

P: ……. (typical men..who dont like to kpc)

The end

I’m still mad with P’s transition to K1. He is still in the same school. He attended this school since he was 20 months old.

When he was in Pre-School (4yo), they have school work. Work to be done in school like writing, coloring, simple activities like matching, connecting the dots. During the school holidays, they were given homework. However the homework was OPTIONAL. Yes, the teacher told me, no force. If he wants to do it, let him. If not, it does not matter. The homework is not graded or checked!

Then comes K1 (5yo). Suddenly, OVERNIGHT, this kid gets TONS of homework. How can he cope? He gets homework for Math, English, Malay and Chinese, besides revision for Ejaan, Ting She and Spelling! Furthermore, this is the first year P is exposed to Chinese Medium instruction. THIS IS WAY TO STRESSFUL right???

I think the school failed to transition the kids to k1 properly. I believe, they should not “SUDDENLY” put too much expectations to the kids. Or they just had to beef up their pre-school sylabbus. I mean, if you want to give homework, give them gradually.

So now, the mom (me) is stressful as I need to ensure P finishes his homework. Now I pass this responsibility to his afternoon teacher. This afternoon teacher will ensure he finishes his homework as well as preparing for his weekly spelling/pop quiz. Now, come every Friday, the kids will go home with MORE HOMEWORK (due to weekend) and sometimes P cannot finish the homework at school. So he brings home. and I have to threaten him in order to get it done. He is starting to have the “TIDAK APA ATTITUDE”. Dont do ar..nevermind-la. !@#$%.

I started to think.. Now is just the beginning of school. Come middle or end of the year, will I continue to drop more hair? Furthermore I have been thinking should I send him for more tuition or enrichment classes…

Stress~~~

This shot was taken before the “threaten”! Watches TV, IPAD and DOING HOMEWORK

Ps: btw, his fav channel is 613

@4 years 4months

Introducing my new son

He played with the talcum powder and decided to put “make up”. Not sure where he learnt to put such thick coating.

@ 4yo 3 mths

Taking this opportunity to wish all my family and friends a Happy and Blessed Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fatt Chai, Xin Nian Kuai Le

My holiday ended on the 2nd of Jan. On the first day of work on 3rd Jan, as I entered the office, not even sat for 5 mins and even grabbing my coffee, I was called for a marathon of meetings. I literally cannot breath as the ED continued pouring more and more of his ideas and we, the execs need to execute his ideas. One of his idea was “Can you find me an orange frog” !@#$%

The next day was the first day of school for P (4th Jan). As we entered his new classroom, I saw a new teacher (newly recruited teacher) and she spoke Mandarin only. I went like “HUH”? When I was asked which stream to register P in K1, I didnt expect it to be a full-fledge Chinese Medium class. The principal (who has now left the school) gave me a different impression. So now, P, is adjusting to a “new world” as everything is taught in Chinese. Secondly, NONE of P’s friends from the 4yo class joined him. He only knew 2-3 faces from a different class in year4 class. Can you imagine his stress?

Fast forward 2 weeks into school.

1) He surprised me with singing a Chinese Song which he sang without anyone asking. He even said “Turn off your radio” and he started singing. He did learn chinese as 1 subject in year4, but I guess in a full Chinese Medium stream, the reinforcement is much higher. He surprised me with many new vocabs.

2) He cried everyday from day2 up to yesterday. Just a short shower. I suspect its because of the environment and friends. But everytime after school and when we asked him, how is school? he is reply.. GOOD… Fine…

3) He has heaps of homework. Once he didnt touch his homework until I checked him bag late at night. Both of us stayed up till 11pm+ to complete it. Although his handwriting is cacing (worm look), I left it that way. I didnt want to be a tiger for him to erase, write, erase-re-write. I rather let it be “natural”. You see, the days (earlier days) when I corrected him for his writing, he will get 3 stars. and when I didnt, he got nothing!!!

4) I ensures that he gets min 8 hours of sleep and YET, he cant wake up every morning. I continue to bento for his snack at school, and one day as I picked him up, he said “mummy, why did you surprised me with a Thomas box”?? Element of surprise sure does wonders!!

CNY Prep

Sigh! I counted, it was less than 20 days to CNY. I m worked up at work, school, my brother’s farewell, mom’s birthday, our co annual trip (we went to KK).. So how on earth I find time? So far, I did color on my hair, on which I sneaked out from office to do so. Tomorrow (FRI) which is the last day at work, I plan to go to HYT (Casahana) w/s during lunch to grab gifts and to DP to buy a dress in the evening. The family reunion is on Sat and I have warned all of the family members, NOT TO COME TO MY HOUSE. Having said that, I am still not at peace cos I cannot stand the mess in my house. IN terms of cleanliness, its done. Its the decluttering and sorting which the maid cannot assist.

Last Dec, I got a Robot to help me and I m grateful!!!! I also got a “bacteria” vacuum to help with the beds and sofa.

On the first day of CNY, I plan to go visit the children in UMMC. and Hence I have not bought anything yet. *again time factor*

Seems like exciting and fun days ahead? I do hope so.

There is a new shopping mall near my Condo. Jusco, Tesco, Biggest GSC will be there!!! YAY!

This year, my co celebrates 20th anniversary and I m appointed Chair-lady (not chair-meh) and I have to look into everything BESIDES my day-today job. Just because we exceeded our P&L last yr, it does not mean they should increase sales this yr right??!! But Management is BAD. What can I do??? A minister is coming to my co too and it involves my business unit. Anyway, I count my blessing.

I count my blessings because P goes to school and there is someone to take care of him. I got work and I have $ to pay for our expenses. I am grateful for the maid, even though not perfect, I need her. My parents and aunt for helping out to take care of P when I m on business trips or when I need some “ME” time… I just want to thank God for his faithfulness, abundance of love and grace. Amen!

..due to the fact, its nearing year end and CNY, I have a makeover room to do, buy Christmas presents, catch up with some bloggers and friends (lunch/outing), bring my car for service, start buying clothes for CNY, hair-do, spa, facials….and of course, spending quality time and coaching P on his homework.