Time flies…. While circling myself among the lives of my boys, a job and countless errands to run, I seem to have lost count of the days that are flying past.  It is so fast because before I realise my youngest baby is going to Primary One next year.

The feeling was very different few years ago when it was Brendan’s turn to be admitted to a primary school. 

I remembered when Brendan was in Kindergarten 1 then, we were already signing up for voluntary service at Brendan’s current school, hoping to get a chance for admission since it is one of the top schools in Singapore. We didn’t really know what to volunteer then and decided to offer service in areas of website and fish tank maintenance (since papa has passion and expertise in these areas). We were so lucky because our application was accepted despite the high competition from many many parents. The feeling was better than winning a prize or hitting the jackpot! Hence, when Brendan reached K2, papa dutifully performed his voluntary services and we are fortunate that we were able to help out from the comfort of home or if not on weekends. At least, we didn’t have to consume our annual leave for this purpose.

Now just when it is Darren’s turn for admission, we have no more worries since he will be joining Brendan in the same school. However, I can’t help but recollect those moments when we actually prepared two years ahead just to aim for a successful admission of our son into the school of our choice.  I still have friends now who are getting very anxious as they neither performed voluntary services at their ideal school nor make up their minds on what to do next. I must say this “PLANNING AHEAD” things is so important for parents now.

<I think ” extended anthenna (to receive advance and useful information), kiasuism (Singaporean’s term to describe : fear for losing), expanded stamina (to perform extra-curricular activities for the kids) and perceived hunger (to aim for the best for our kids) are now attributes that parents must have, to continually remind ourselves to be “A STEP AHEAD, SO AS TO PLAN AHEAD”. I tried at first not to follow the crowd but do I have a choice? …. especially when I often have other parents telling me how impressive their kids have been and the countless and expensive enrichment programmes that their kids are having.>

Perhaps, it is human nature to be never satisfied or maybe it is my nature to never give up exploring the best for my kids…while most parents would have felt thankful that they have secured a place for their children in top schools, I am actually thinking whether to let Darren try out papa’s ex-school instead which is another top school. I am silly isn’t it since travelling distance will be such a nuisance and why go through the hassle?

To me, I feel that perhaps I should expose both my kids to a different educational environment and see how they excel from a different approach. Why not take this opportunity since I have the choice? Meanwhile, I am still considering….