I've always been very mindful of getting trapped in the rat race. Recently, I got acquainted with a mummy who sends her 7 year old boy to many enrichment classes. Zech has half the load of the poor boy. I would love very much to sign Zech up for drum class, basketball and martial arts. But I often stop short of the final step. I usually do some intensive research, sometimes even to the extent of calling the school. Then I spend more time scrutinising our schedule and decided not to. At least not now.
If I were to put in an extra class, that will definitely eat into our family weekend time. I try my best to protect our weekend time. With the amount of time Zech spends in school in the afternoon, our mornings are often short and our night time routine is cut down to the basic of just reading, devotion, prayer and sleep. The mornings are spent doing work. Homework if there is, revision and piano. The boys get to play together for 20 to 30 min before Zech gets ready for school at 11am. By 12pm, he's off to school. It's sad he hardly spends time playing on weekdays. That's why I try to schedule in 'play' on weekends. Be it hiking, cycling, scooting, or just having fun, it's more crucial than ever to ensure the boys get sufficient play and a good workout.
10 weeks of school just flew past. Zech has survived 10 weeks of school joyfully and has eased into the school system. Term 1 in school is fine because there isn't any stress. Marks are not recorded and work is easy. Zech comes home very happy almost every day. He's motivated and looks forward to seeing his teachers.
We were initially worried if he would adapt to school as he was not looking forward to school at all last year. But our worries were unfounded. His form teacher speaks well of him. He enjoys most of his lessons, especially PE. He shares about school all the time now. We are very glad to see our boy growing up into a responsible and helpful child. I have never imagined my Zech as helpful before but you know what? He is! He shared with me instances of how he brought his hurt friend to the care corner and how he used a pair of scissors at the canteen to open a packet of biscuits for his friend. I do wonder many times, aren't all these qualities more superior than my academic standard of a good pupil? My educational background and later on, my teaching career, have placed me at a disadvantage as I soon recognised. I have seen the best and expect the best. Even though I often prioritise character as of utmost important, I sometimes unknowingly retrace my steps to the academia. It takes one or two incidents to jolt me back to my senses. The after-effects of those incidents were never great.
It helps that the school environment Zech is in places high value on the well-being of the pupils. The Principal's emphasis on the joy of learning on more than one occasion, Zech's very loving and thoughtful form teacher and the strong partnership of the school and parents all forge a very healthy and vibrant school life. As parents, we are very delighted and excited to be involved closely in the school programmes. Last year, we prayed together with Zech for a form teacher with a heart for God. God has given Zech a very dedicated and experienced form teacher who not only teaches well but also prays with the class. These little things in Zech's school life matter a lot and has taught me to see beyond academic excellence. Simply trusting the Lord's heart when we can't trace His hand requires me to step out and live out the faith.
It takes conscious effort to pull myself out of the rat race. I need to remind myself often why we have chosen the path less travelled during the preschool days and not let the forces in the system here carry me away. I need to redefine my standard of a good pupil instead of focusing on fine-tuning the mechanics of Zech's written work. It's never easy, for me at least, to look beyond the careless mistake and gives the child some space and time to develop the meticulous trait.
School is a journey made up of memories and experiences that help one steer through life. The values that bear the mark of a man are what define success in life and carry us through to eternity. It's no coincidence we have been using the life lessons from "The Squire and the Scroll" starting this year. A wonderful resource to have!
The language is powerful and the battle portrayed in the story is so real in life. Choosing to live for the Lord, pursue purity and integrity are important for manhood. These timeless values are the ones that will ultimately see our children through their lives, no matter where they stand in society.
He who has clean hands and a pure heart...will receive blessing from the Lord...Such is the generation of those who seek Him. Psalm 24: 4-6b
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