Going to school

Victoria goes to Kingdom Kids under the CEC R.E.A.L education system. She started in January this year, which was 2 week before I quit my job in order to focus on her and the coming baby (William due in April).

In the beginning, Victoria was fine, with Ma Ma sending her to school, and staying with her during the orientation week. When I took over, I sent her to school and she was very emotional. I remembered her telling me that she doesn't want to go to school, while on the way there. I explained to her that she's a big girl now, and it's great to meet new friends and learn new things. We got through that by distracting her with the trains and cars we see along the way. But when we arrived, she told me the same thing and would not let go of my hand.

She started to cry when I brought her to the class, and insisted that I stay with her. The teachers were understanding. Victoria would not join any of the activities, instead she just wanted to sit beside me, and hug her Barney bag.

I remembered during tea break, the teachers brought all the children (6 of them in total, including Victoria) to the toilet, and Victoria insisted that I bring her. The teacher told me to take this opportunity to leave, so I obediently stayed outside the toilet, while the teacher "convinced" my little girl that mummy will still be outside. But I hid around the corridor. I heard her cry, screamed for Mummy and my heart broke. I held back my tears as I peeped at her, praying that she will not think that Mummy do not love her.

God, it was so tough. Later the teacher told me that she settled down after the tea break.

I think the next day, or 2 days later, hubby decided he should be the one dropping Victoria off at school, while I just do the fetching. Good idea, because then he can tell Victoria that he can't stay back in school because daddy needs to work.

Daddy pre-empted her psychologically during the journey to school and carried her into class. She was fine.

It's nearing October now, 10 months since she first started formal education. Victoria, although still shy and reserved during class, and participates only when she wants to, is doing great. She comes home with new songs sometimes, and tells us about her friends, and enjoys her weekly homework. I see her craftwork on the walls along the corridor, the same place where I hid and cried when I left her.

She can even recognize the way to school, because when I take a different route, she asks me where we are going. When we go to church using the same route, she asks if we are going to school.

Besides that, she shares her special one-to-one moment with Daddy in the morning, and loves to see the morning glory flowers while they wait in the car for the traffic light to turn green.

Daddy and Mummy are so proud of you, Victoria.

This picture was taken yesterday in the morning.

And this is her Barney school bag which Popo GongGong bought for her last year.