There and Back Again

Happy during recess (taken by another parent) It is the middle of Term One Week four, and I finally believe that Lucas has settled into his new schedule. It has not been easy for us. Week 1 was full of frowns and tears as Lucas refused to let us go. I had mentioned this in an earlier post. He was unhappy with everything - Catholic High, Master Hand (his student care), going to my parents place (this was surprising considering he had been going to my parents' place for the last few years). It was especially traumatic for my wife, who at some point in time was so shaken by the experience that she was thinking of part-time work. I was also thrown off my stride a bit. But I told myself that everything would be alright. Some of the little things we did help, I think. Firstly, we arranged it so that I was the one who walked him in. He tended not to be so emotional around me. So I drove towards Bishan and just before we reached the drop-off point, I switched with my wife so that s...

Today was the fourth day in school and the first day of following the time table. Today was also the day parents are not encouraged to be around. It was time for both of us to let go, or so we thought. We sent him to school, dropped him off and only picked him up at the end of school. It seemed to be fine at this point in time. Actually we already had a spy. One of the parents was in the school canteen till recess and she provided us with some information - in Catholic High, parents are allowed to stay in the school, but only in the designated area in the canteen. She spotted my son wondering around during the first break (the school practices two additional ten minute breaks together with a 30 minute recess). She said that he looked like he was trying to look for us. He wondered around the canteen, and then the rest of the school. Of course, we were nowhere nearby. He did not look too upset and went back when the break ended. She even praised him for being independent! Little did sh...

This month, my son finally completed his kindergarten education. Not that it is a big deal - after all, who really wants to know what kindergarten you studied when you were a little tot? But for a kid, it is a big deal. It is basically all they know! Lucas in his graduation gown Anyway, you can guess that kindergarten is almost over when there is a graduation ceremony. In kindergarten, when you complete it, you get to wear a graduation gown  and a mortarboard (actually, it is properly known as academic dress). When you finish primary and secondary school, you do not get anything! Even though you have achieved more! I hope I will get to see him in a graduation gown again. Maybe a few times. Maybe with a lot of colours and a Tudor bonnet instead of a mortarboard. My wishful thinking. The final day of his school was last Friday. We are going on a holiday to Taiwan and after that, he is not going back to kindergarten. We hope to let him have a good two weeks of 'rest'. He ...