Been rather quiet at the blogging front due to many reasons...Busyness is one of them and having many thoughts/decisions can truly bog one down.
Over the pass few weeks, we have been offered PR (permanent residency) status in Singapore. We have been encouraged to apply as it will help us with many things. This gives us stability for when Alex changes jobs, we are not required to be out of the country quick fix. It gives us an option for longer stays for our family/parents etc. So, in preparation for that, we have to do our check ups, fill forms and wait hours at the Immigration Office.
Girls at a Lantern Exhibition in the Chinese Gardens!
The PR status apparently opened up avenues than being a foreigner status. Within 1-2 weeks, a vacancy 'opened' up in a school within 5km away from our home. The coin has dropped for me as this was the moment where I HAVE to decide homeschooling Letitia or shuffle her off to public school.
I struggled, how I struggled! I prayed, how I prayed!
The thought of having her in the thick and dog-eat-dog environment of primary school totally weighs me down. I can just hear the 'echoes' of: "You cannot PROTECT her for the rest of your life!", "What about her SOCIAL life?", "Will this effect her DEVELOPMENTALLY?" etc.
Even with those thoughts, I stand as woman of GOD, full of peace and inspiration. I have decided and I am FREE from all burdens. It was a tough CALL but I made it, fully trusting in GOD to bless my children, NOT too bless them with 99% in school marks, NOT to bless them with the best IQs, NOT to bless them with AWARDS but to take them closer to HIM, to KNOW Him that gave His life for us, to help put eternity into their hearts. Our greatest desire is that they do THEIR best (not the country nor state's best) and to serve GOD whole heartedly in all they seek to become.
Who says homeschooling is BORING? (We watched NBL Slingers vs Hawks)
You guessed it! We are homeschooling and I turned down politely the school. Mathena will be taken out of Kindy as off the end of this term (2) to be re-trained into school at home. It's gonna be a journey, an uphill climb but all with a sense of purpose.
The more I homeschooled, the more I believe that education is not just about 'academics' (Thanks Simone, very aptly put!). The past 1.5 years has been all about inputing proper biblical values, GODly moral standards and giving the girls information that is ONLY suitable to them at the right age. We are strong believers that leaving 'others' to educate our children will only project the values of 'others' into them. Unlike the blessings of a true Christian school, we can never be sure what goes into the hearts and minds of our little ones.
One thing great about homeschooling is the mobility!! We bring school as we travel!!
I am also being more and more convicted that 'teaching' my children is my CALLING! I may look every part the rebel and the non-conformist, but I know deep down that it has always been GOD's plans for the mother to serve, to teach and to nurture her children. Non of my worldly jobs has ever given me this much satisfaction/growth (to think that I am NOT paid and I receive no BONUS for my hard work!). My girls are VERY secured, well adjusted and absolutely social beings. My girls are NOT confused with all the values(different to theirs at home) they encounter as half of them, they are told that they will have to wait till they are older to understand. They have full trust that whatever we withhold is for their best interests.
We are also seeing that the girls are very self motivated in their own education. They look forward to what their daily lessons unfold to them. They struggle like all kids with the more complicated levels(maths!!) but they are encouraged to try their best and the results are in front of them. They get fed all the necessary information that they are interested in by books, videos, stories. I cater most of our 'science' according to the 'in' topic of interest and am constantly impressed with the absorbtion level at their own motivation.
Truth be told, I don't teach, I just direct their learning experience. I learn so much along the way....it's like I am being re-educated all over again. Letitia can self sustain her learning by going through up to 5 sheets of English all by herself. I DO NOT have to breath down her throat. I know within the next day how she fairs in a subject and we work straight at it. Done deal, no homework and plenty of time for rest and play. Such is homeschooling! We play with each other, we swim, we dance and we sing!
Over the pass few weeks, we have been offered PR (permanent residency) status in Singapore. We have been encouraged to apply as it will help us with many things. This gives us stability for when Alex changes jobs, we are not required to be out of the country quick fix. It gives us an option for longer stays for our family/parents etc. So, in preparation for that, we have to do our check ups, fill forms and wait hours at the Immigration Office.
Girls at a Lantern Exhibition in the Chinese Gardens!The PR status apparently opened up avenues than being a foreigner status. Within 1-2 weeks, a vacancy 'opened' up in a school within 5km away from our home. The coin has dropped for me as this was the moment where I HAVE to decide homeschooling Letitia or shuffle her off to public school.
I struggled, how I struggled! I prayed, how I prayed!
The thought of having her in the thick and dog-eat-dog environment of primary school totally weighs me down. I can just hear the 'echoes' of: "You cannot PROTECT her for the rest of your life!", "What about her SOCIAL life?", "Will this effect her DEVELOPMENTALLY?" etc.
Even with those thoughts, I stand as woman of GOD, full of peace and inspiration. I have decided and I am FREE from all burdens. It was a tough CALL but I made it, fully trusting in GOD to bless my children, NOT too bless them with 99% in school marks, NOT to bless them with the best IQs, NOT to bless them with AWARDS but to take them closer to HIM, to KNOW Him that gave His life for us, to help put eternity into their hearts. Our greatest desire is that they do THEIR best (not the country nor state's best) and to serve GOD whole heartedly in all they seek to become.
Who says homeschooling is BORING? (We watched NBL Slingers vs Hawks)You guessed it! We are homeschooling and I turned down politely the school. Mathena will be taken out of Kindy as off the end of this term (2) to be re-trained into school at home. It's gonna be a journey, an uphill climb but all with a sense of purpose.
The more I homeschooled, the more I believe that education is not just about 'academics' (Thanks Simone, very aptly put!). The past 1.5 years has been all about inputing proper biblical values, GODly moral standards and giving the girls information that is ONLY suitable to them at the right age. We are strong believers that leaving 'others' to educate our children will only project the values of 'others' into them. Unlike the blessings of a true Christian school, we can never be sure what goes into the hearts and minds of our little ones.
One thing great about homeschooling is the mobility!! We bring school as we travel!!I am also being more and more convicted that 'teaching' my children is my CALLING! I may look every part the rebel and the non-conformist, but I know deep down that it has always been GOD's plans for the mother to serve, to teach and to nurture her children. Non of my worldly jobs has ever given me this much satisfaction/growth (to think that I am NOT paid and I receive no BONUS for my hard work!). My girls are VERY secured, well adjusted and absolutely social beings. My girls are NOT confused with all the values(different to theirs at home) they encounter as half of them, they are told that they will have to wait till they are older to understand. They have full trust that whatever we withhold is for their best interests.
We are also seeing that the girls are very self motivated in their own education. They look forward to what their daily lessons unfold to them. They struggle like all kids with the more complicated levels(maths!!) but they are encouraged to try their best and the results are in front of them. They get fed all the necessary information that they are interested in by books, videos, stories. I cater most of our 'science' according to the 'in' topic of interest and am constantly impressed with the absorbtion level at their own motivation.Truth be told, I don't teach, I just direct their learning experience. I learn so much along the way....it's like I am being re-educated all over again. Letitia can self sustain her learning by going through up to 5 sheets of English all by herself. I DO NOT have to breath down her throat. I know within the next day how she fairs in a subject and we work straight at it. Done deal, no homework and plenty of time for rest and play. Such is homeschooling! We play with each other, we swim, we dance and we sing!
The highest point is the GOD factor. I am challenged to bring GOD's word into our lives on the daily basis. Our days start with our daily reading from the kids devotion. We will also study "the character of Jesus" as well as end with some journaling and praying. We pray daily for GOD to help us in many ways, for GOD to help daddy at work, for GOD to help us at home. Everyday we learn about how GOD can challenge us to look outward and serve others even when it hurts. No other school does this. If we want the girls to KNOW that GOD's word is prominent in our lives, how else do we do it except by making the BIBLE part of our daily lives. Again, the LORD is teaching ME, more than anything else. I am studying too and I am commited to praying for my husband, whether I like it or NOT!! Hee! Hee!I am at peace!
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