School: First Quarter Update

Mid September and I’m on my 2^nd post pa lang. Not.Good.

Sorry about that guys, been up to my neck with work and offline activities. I actually just came back from a work-related trip so I will try to catch up blog world.

Now off to my topic.

I have shared here our struggle during the first weeks of school for my 1^st grader. Actually, after my last post, I tried very hard not to share more depressing posts about how we try to get through the mornings. It’s hard not to let that out here and try to be as positive in the midst of chaos. I’m thankful as well for family and friends who listen and give words of encouragement and wisdom.

Now, when friends ask me how we are adjusting so far, I give a sigh of relief and say ‘we are getting better’ :0 And we sigh in unison, 'salamat naman.'

Yep! The adjustment period is over, er, almost over. I don't think it will ever be officially over for any parent even if they're all grown up and Sam grows hair all over his body and Sophie becomes BFF with her make up kit and vanity mirror. The adjustment period is a constant friend in different shapes and sizes.

Back to now. After a month the little girl got to the habit of waking up early, with a little lambing (tenderness) from mommy, of course. It's something my Mom made me realize during her one week visit at home. 

My mom gave me an honest to goodness bird’s eyeview of the situation and what needs to be corrected. I have many realizations along the way. What stuck most with what my Mom said was this, ‘Your kids are hungry for your attention especially that you're out most times because of work. Just try to be more patient with them and a little sweetness will go a long way.’ So I did.

Being a working mom, my mother said ignoring the situation more will make the kids feel more deprived. The trick is to give just the right amount of affection or tenderness and the right amount of firmness so she will still follow instructions.

When time permits, Sophie and I take a bath together in the morning; mom-daughter bonding and chismisan in the bathroom and we both enjoy it. 

On school, two weeks ago husby and I met her class adviser for the PTC and, naturally, I dreaded the sight of the report card. I know my daughter is struggling as well with the teaching techniques and pacing of a traditional school being a product of a progressive school. I wasn’t expecting anything, I was just praying she’d pass the subjects.

Oh, another sigh of relief for me. She got good grades, better if I may say so myself than what we expected. Her lowest is 84 and her highest is 92. Not bad for a start.

During the PTC, her teacher gave good words for Sophie – she’s very helpful and is mature for her age. She looks after her other classmates (especially the one with special needs) that's why she is very well liked in class. Although she struggled at first (she even cried once in school, that I didn’t know until PTC) the persistence and willingness to learn is very evident and most importantly she’s more focused now. I love those last few words, more focused now. Naturally, being the artsy and creative girl that she is, she got As on her music, arts and other non-academic subjects :)

We asked her teacher if she needs to be tutored because she struggles in some subjects like Math and our little girl said some of her classmates have tutor after class. I guess she wants to jump into the bandwagon. Her teacher said, ‘No need Mommy. Just keep on doing the kind of tutoring you do at home. That seems to work for her.’ 

Now the challenge is, as her teacher said, to keep doing what we do at home. Easier said than done, I wanted to tell her teacher that but kept my mouth shut instead.It's not that easy especially if I have to stay late in the office because of various matters that demand my attention. By the time I get home, either I’m beat to do homework with her or she’s already asleep. The other day, we did her homework at 5am, before our usual school prep routine because the night before she was already asleep when we came home. 

But we will keep on, as parents, don't we? Because we know that each child deserves a parent's proper guidance and whatever becomes of a person is a product of the home. Don't you agree?

Just to share another happy thought, the other day while we were reviewing Math in advance and I was explaining why she needs Math when she runs her business someday (she really wants that), she suddenly understands blurted out, ' Mom, math is easy pala.' Those were music to my ears, coming from a girl who seem to struggle in the subject. 

Really, no doubt it takes a village to raise a child. I thank heavens for bringing the right people into our lives to help and guide us raise these children to be the best they can possibly be. 

To end, here is a photo of my little girl in her homemade mask for the Linggo ng Wika. They were assigned Masskara festival costume and she made this mask from scratch. We just bought the white half mask and some paints. She paired it with her birthday dress which I embellished to match her mask.