I was talking to my friend this morning who wanted another baby. She has one who just turned five years old so at this point in her life, everything is fine and dandy. Most of the time, at least. The thing is, though she really wants to have another baby, there's this pressing thought at … Continue reading What happened to kindergarten?
School
Update on Benjamin’s school 2
This is a follow up post about our challenge in searching for a school to enroll Benjamin. We are facing difficulties with how the schools are assessing the student's kindergarten readiness. We cancelled our admission to one school which he passed a strict assessment that included a session with the school's resident speech and behavior … Continue reading Update on Benjamin’s school 2
Update on Benjamin’s school
So we went for the 2nd assessment for Benjamin. We were greeted at the school entrance by a lady at the registration office who called him by his name. She knows his name! I was surprised by this. Then they asked us to wait for a few minutes. A middle aged man came holding a … Continue reading Update on Benjamin’s school
It’s time we rethink about “kindergarten readiness”
The boy in red shirt is Benjamin. He is my 4 year old son. Does he look normal to you? Yes, he looks normal because YES, he is normal. Except for lingering longer during the breastfeeding period, not knowing how to use the bottle and difficulty in potty training, I see nothing wrong with him. … Continue reading It’s time we rethink about “kindergarten readiness”
Pristine graduates from Primary School
Just like that another school year ends for us. And our oldest child graduated from primary school. I have so many friends the same age as I do who has either just given birth, still breastfeeding babies or has toddlers. I, however has a child who just graduated from primary school and about to enter … Continue reading Pristine graduates from Primary School
Kids, grades and homework
I got an email from Pristine's teacher a few days ago asking for a preferred date to meet. No, she is not in trouble or something. The school reports have been sent home so the school is setting up dates and times for parents to meet the class teachers so they can voice out their … Continue reading Kids, grades and homework
Benjamin’s going to school soon!
It's inevitable. We just submitted school registration papers for Benjamin. I still can't believe he'll be going to school already. Wasn't it just yesterday when he was still a baby who clings to me like a newborn sheep? I found an old pic of Pristine, my older daughter when she was the same age as … Continue reading Benjamin’s going to school soon!
Taiken nyuugaku: Experiencing local school in Japan
This has been a long overdue post but I really wanted to share this with you and most especially for families like ours, with mixed-race children. Pristine was born in Japan and she was only 3 years old when we moved to Dubai in 2007. She only spoke Japanese then but as our stay in … Continue reading Taiken nyuugaku: Experiencing local school in Japan
Dubai’s RTA says, “let the children take the school bus”
Driving to work was a breeze today that I wish it's like this every single day. I usually take the train but today I drove to work because I know the roads are free. My commute was only 15 minutes. On 'normal' days, it could reach up to 45 minutes (that's why I gave up … Continue reading Dubai’s RTA says, “let the children take the school bus”
Dubai summer is well and truly here
Yesterday's five word weather should be: "Not advisable to go outside!" I walked for only 10 minutes outside at midday and I thought I'd die. No exaggeration! Yesterday was the hottest in Dubai since the start of summer with the temperature tipping at more than 40C (104F). Next stop? 50C (122F) as forecasters say (with … Continue reading Dubai summer is well and truly here
Finding Backroads 