Parents Teachers Meeting

Valerie's school had a PTM for the first time. We're scheduled to meet the teacher at a specific time. Not knowing what to expect, we brought the entire family there. Our maid, Ann carried the baby to the play room together with Valerie, while we met the teacher in the classroom.

Overall, Valerie is observed to be a very quiet girl. Very different from what we expected because she is always so noisy and loud at home ever since she started school. And her best friend... I asked if it's a girl by the name of Caryn, cause Valerie always say her friend's name is Caryn. Suprisingly, teacher said no. Her best friend is actually a small boy, about the same size and height with her. Okieeee....

Then comment from the teacher is Valerie is still speaking in baby language and has baby sound. She's not sure if kids at her age is still supposed to have baby sound. Her pronunciation is not very clear, so we need to practice speaking to her in proper sentences.. No more treating her like a baby and talking to her like a baby. I have to remind myself, she is a kid now... not a baby anymore. And we can also practice reading together with her, instead of just mommy or daddy reading to her.  

Other than that, we've also talked about her eating and drinking in class. Because, she seems to be the smallest in class. Sighh... Valerie is such a picky eater. Teacher said she usually takes two bites and then put back her food in the container, packed into the bag and then play around. Doesn't really eat much. And drinks, teacher has been enforcing her to drink at least half a bottle. 

I then remembered a bunny cake Valerie insisted to buy few days ago. At the mention of 'bunny cake', the teacher suddenly said 'Oh.. that bunny cake... You know what, she just opened the container and showed all her friends her bunny cake... Then take the ears and lick it until recess time is almost over'... Aiyooo... so she didn't eat the cake at all in class... 

At the end of the session, we're given a pack of arts and crafts that Valerie has been working on the entire semester. I'm quite impressed with the work as they looked very interesting. So we need to focus on her pronunciation next... 

A Sad Story...

Recently I've heard of a true story which happened to my friend's sister's colleague. This colleague went on a holiday trip to China with her family - hubby and 2 sons (1 baby and 1 kid). At a shopping mall, the kid wanted to go toilet, so the parents waited outside the toilet while he went in.

After a long time, he never came out of the toilet. So the daddy went in one round to look for him but couldn't find him. Then the mom went in to look but couldn't find him either. Exasperated, a stranger approached them and offered help to carry the baby so that both of them could go into the toilet to look for the son.

When they came out, the stranger with their baby is no longer there. And they never found their son either. They used up all their savings to extend their stay in China while looking for their two sons but to no avail. The mother couldn't believe how she could have made the same mistake twice in the same day and lost both her sons.

This is a very sad and shocking story. I do not what to elaborate further what happened to the parents but could only pray that they will find their kids someday and hope their kids are ok. How did the kid went missing in the toilet? Theory has it that the kid was put unconscious while being alone in the toilet, changed his clothes, worn a cap and carried out unnoticed. And if it's a girl, they will probably shave her hair off and wear a cap and carried out like a boy.

I have to say, this story always brought tears to my eyes everytime I think about it. As I held my baby in my arms, I remind myself how fragile and innocent our kids are. They need our protection and we need to be very mindful at all times where they are. It could just take a split second to lose your child while you are engrossed in something.

When I told this story to my sister and sister in law, it affected them very much as well that they couldn't sleep well. I guess being a mother, we all could understand how much pain it is to lose a child, let alone two in one day.

So, parents out there, please be extra careful with your kids wherever you are, especially in a mall. It only take seconds to lose sight of your kid. And no matter how old your kids are, they are never too old to be accompanied by an adult to the toilet, even if they think this is totally uncool.