We were all pushed to a corner when this pandemic happened. I was lucky enough that we were towards the end of our school year. I think everyone was hoping that after the initial lock down, things would go back to normal. But we were all wrong. Everything went downhill from there.
As for the education of our children – it was only two things, do online distance learning or do homeschooling. I don’t think I’m cut out to do home school. My patience level is low, and my children are younger – they still need a bit of guidance. Plus, I am no educator – thus, I don’t think I have the means to become a teacher at home.
We accepted the fact that things are going to be different this school year. Online distance learning has never been done in this manner before. Now, there are gadgets needed to attend classes. There are websites to sign up with because those are the chosen modes of learning by the school. There are lot of things needed really and me personally, I dislike change – but what am I to do right? I TRUST THE SCHOOLS OF MY CHILDREN. I TRUST THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCHOOLS and most of all I TRUST THE TEACHERS of my children.
But recently, well – over the past weeks, I have joined a number of viber school communities and I must say – I am not liking the ‘expert’ opinions of parents suggesting this and that because in truth – THESE PEOPLE DON’T EVEN HAVE AN EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND DEGREE! Well, then if you don’t have these – you don’t have a right to demand to the school to follow your suggestions.
Okay – personally, I let my children be when it comes to schooling. I guide them for the first few weeks, but after – I let them be. I am very lucky that Kailee studies on her own. I don’t need to sit down beside her and review her lessons together. I just ask her from time to time if she’s done with her homework. I don’t like nagging, so I just ask gently and then trust her that she has done it. I think she learned a bit on what she needed to do when we had an incident two years ago on how she didn’t finish copying her homework. You can read it here – Consequences of Incomplete Notes. I am very strict on this because I want my children to know the value of being responsible at a young age. I want them to be accountable for their actions. If wala kang na-copy, then you have to know that there are consequences.
It got me thinking honestly – how was it before when I was still studying? I need to be honest – I grew up having a tutor from grade 2 to high school. My mom was busy and I think early on she already threw in her towel with teaching kids. As for me, well – I simply didn’t want to have the additional expense. Hahaha!! Kasi I feel that when the kids pay attention in school – then they’re okay na. No need for additional reviews – basta nagets nila, then that’s it. I also don’t believe in getting perfect scores – they need to make mistakes in order to learn. Well, that’s how I personally feel.
Last year, I was a class rep. I have to say, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it – but I did. I was in a wonderful group last year and our leaders Candy and Jersh are very good. I say this maybe because I believe in their vision and I agree with their direction. I took on being class rep on the condition that I won’t be posting any homeworks in the class viber. This is because I personally believe that it is the child’s responsibility and not the parents to oversee it. If you daughter comes home with incomplete notes – then you have two options, you may help her or you may leave it up to her to help herself. I chose option 2 – leave it up to her to help herself. Now why is that? Hindi ba nakaka-awa? For me, hindi e – for me it builds character, it builds them into a tougher person, a person who is street smart and responsible. Yes, she can run to me for help – but what if I am not there to help her, diba? Will she crumble or will she thrive?
So this year, because its online distance learning – the difficulties lie with the school works given AND technical issues. I personally experience connectivity issues – and it’s really frustrating, but we are powerless to do anything because well – it’s beyond our control. I also feel when we do get disconnected, there is no reason to panic. Eh di walang connection – we can always report to the teachers that we suddenly lost connection and I’m sure they will understand the situation. There is no need to panic nor is there a need to worry about missing some minutes of class.
This whole online distance learning thing has really made some parents voice their opinions. A particular touchy issue for them are homeworks. Personally, I am all for giving homeworks – it give the children something to do after class. Another issue is homeworks given on the weekend. Personally, it’s okay – why? WHERE ARE WE GOING ON WEEKENDS? We’re still on quarantine so, where are we supposed to go? Some may say, family time – gosh guys – family time, are you telling me in all honesty that you are spending good quality time with your children the whole weekend? Meaning all 12 hours with daylight? I seriously doubt it, so may I just say – cut the crap in saying ‘family time’ And daming family time now since we’re on lockdown. Plus, so what if they gave it for the kids to do on the weekend, what better things can they do? Play roblux and minecraft? I’m sorry, but I am really triggered by these parents who complain so much on the school work. When we were younger naman, it was the same load – or even more pa nga but our parents never complained. STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR YOUR CHILDREN! Let them learn, the school naman is not giving work that can’t be done. So what if it’s a bit difficult? I mean it can’t be that difficult that the kid’s will need to bend over backwards to do it, diba?
To give you an example, last Friday – I received an email from Connor’s chinese teacher. She was reminding me that Connor still hasn’t submitted a number of assigned task – to be specific six – 6!! I was very upset with him. To be clear, I printed out the tasks he needed to do. Para malinaw diba? There’s a hard copy that he can read through to know what he needs to do. So he goes and does it. Yesterday afternoon when I asked him if he was done, he said yes with conviction. So, okay na diba? Well guess what! This morning while I was printing his materials for this week, I saw the print out (of the list) that I handed him – so I asked him lang ‘Are you sure you did all these 6 things on the list?’ He then said I only did 2. Pusang hilaw – TWO! I was very very upset and asked him why he didn’t finish – he told me ‘Because I need you to take pictures of my work so I can submit’ when he said this, I thought – fine, sige it has something to do with me. So I told him to give me the work so I can take a picture of it – alam niyo what his reply was? ‘I haven’t done it yet’ My gosh, blood rushed to my head and I was more than upset, I was ANGRY! I then told him, that he is grounded for a week. No watching TV, no watching youtube, no playing minecraft on the iPad, no playing legos. Instead he will do writing exercises and reading books this whole week. I told him, that he will be working extra hard this week because he didn’t do what he was supposed to do kaagad. And saya diba? Tears fell from his eyes, but I’m sorry – I can’t and won’t let this go.
I don’t and won’t starting to make excuses for my child when they fail to turn in their work. If they don’t do it – then so be it, if that means that they fail – then they fail. I don’t mean to be a hands off parent, but I think I’ve done my fair share of reminders. So if they don’t do it, they need to face the consequences of their actions. I know you’ll say, eh bata pa yan e. Nako, my gosh – that reasoning is so lame – this will only teach them that they can give an excuse every time they miss doing something. I know this may be too tough, but this is what I want – I want my kids to be responsible people and if that means being extra tough on them – then so be it.
The world is tough, and I need to make my children ready to face the world. Preparing them early on is my way to helping them deal with things in the future. I feel that there are too much hovering done by parents nowadays that it seems that they want to control the outcomes of each challenge. I do understand that every parent has their style – but I just find it odd that parents expect a certain result from every challenge they face. We’ve come to a point that we want to outsmart the system. And I’m very astonished with this They seem to want to change the rules for their benefit, isn’t that selfish?
I feel that it’s very selfish – complaining endlessly and wanting this and that and to change this and that. No one forced you to enroll – it was your choosing. The solution to all of this is – why didn’t you just homeschool? I mean, you do have all the answers – right?
I just feel that they have not given the system a chance. It hasn’t even fully started and there are so many judgements. I swear, if I were the school – I would gladly return the tuition fee and say to them ‘Thanks, but no thanks..’
I really feel so sad and bad for all the teachers who prepared for this. They sacrificed a LOT doing this online distance learning – and a number of parents are unappreciative and I feel saddened by this. Eh, kayo kaya magturo sa mga anak niyo, sige nga! I’m sure they would just decline – because in all sincerity – they can’t and won’t.
We enrolled our kids in their respective schools. I just hope that we can be patient enough to trust them with their plans and methods. Give them a chance to succeed and give them the support that you have given them all these years. They need our moral support – let’s give it to them because these teachers deserve it.
