Putting your foot down
Homeschooling has been easier when the kids were smaller. We go outdoors a lot, do crafts and read any books of interest. However, when you reach exam-taking age, you get bogged down by syllabus and interest take a backburner.
This of course has to happen at least 2 years before the actual exam itself, so counting preschool, you basically get just six years of pure homeschooling here before the exam monster comes a-knocking.
No, wait, now you have the Primary Four assessment which if you're confident you prepare for a year in advance. So if you start teaching in primary three to local standards you only have 2 primary years with your child.
Then comes the "change". Your child who used to be enthusiastic about exploring and learning and perfecting what he has learned, no longer shows any interest.
You can't blame him because no way can My Pals textbook beat Life of Fred or Waldorf math art and you wish you can take them away to another country where they don't bother you with an entrance test which you can't make use of like everybody else anyway.
However, life puts its limits on you and you stay put and push through the grind. Your child makes it, but now he also learns that meritocracy is not for everyone and what he has worked for didn't matter.
Then you look back, and you see that you have four more to push through the wheel. Whatever were you thinking,? Having more than one child?
Then you find the second time round, you don't only have lack of interest but the rebellious second child syndrome.
You decide to pass him to the experts but in turn, he locked you out of any interference in his studies. In the end he didn't make it and you have to face a potential two more rounds of the same exam.
Then, you put your foot down. Yes, you don't have to leave home after fajr prayers and come back before maghrib for school but you mighty well have some structure while you are still under my roof.
So, whine and fight back as you might; you will still sit there and listen to me teach and finish that worksheet cause life is not always about doing what you like and sometimes you just have to push on and bear with it, mister.
And remember, I love you. And please pass this time round and go to school next year.
In the picture is Sarah. Sarah loves to learn and explore her surroundings. Mama prays Sarah will always love learning and maybe by the time she's 10, Mama doesn't have to sacrifice interest for an exam she can't really use.
This of course has to happen at least 2 years before the actual exam itself, so counting preschool, you basically get just six years of pure homeschooling here before the exam monster comes a-knocking.
No, wait, now you have the Primary Four assessment which if you're confident you prepare for a year in advance. So if you start teaching in primary three to local standards you only have 2 primary years with your child.
Then comes the "change". Your child who used to be enthusiastic about exploring and learning and perfecting what he has learned, no longer shows any interest.
You can't blame him because no way can My Pals textbook beat Life of Fred or Waldorf math art and you wish you can take them away to another country where they don't bother you with an entrance test which you can't make use of like everybody else anyway.
However, life puts its limits on you and you stay put and push through the grind. Your child makes it, but now he also learns that meritocracy is not for everyone and what he has worked for didn't matter.
Then you look back, and you see that you have four more to push through the wheel. Whatever were you thinking,? Having more than one child?
Then you find the second time round, you don't only have lack of interest but the rebellious second child syndrome.
You decide to pass him to the experts but in turn, he locked you out of any interference in his studies. In the end he didn't make it and you have to face a potential two more rounds of the same exam.
Then, you put your foot down. Yes, you don't have to leave home after fajr prayers and come back before maghrib for school but you mighty well have some structure while you are still under my roof.
So, whine and fight back as you might; you will still sit there and listen to me teach and finish that worksheet cause life is not always about doing what you like and sometimes you just have to push on and bear with it, mister.
And remember, I love you. And please pass this time round and go to school next year.
In the picture is Sarah. Sarah loves to learn and explore her surroundings. Mama prays Sarah will always love learning and maybe by the time she's 10, Mama doesn't have to sacrifice interest for an exam she can't really use.
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