Mama(n)datory

Dance like nobody's watching, Love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening, Live like it's heaven on earth.

You could say that they got it from their momma, seeing how my daughters love to dance.

I used to dance either in the comfort of my own room or stage performances (school events, weddings), but rarely at clubs (because I hate the crowd and environment) and definitely not in front of the people I know (family especially).

Mayesa started dancing ever since she could sit  up/ stand up on her own. She'd dance to Royals and I Luh Ya Papi in which were unintentionally became her dancing tunes since they were chart toppers then.

Now, she dances almost daily to mostly Kpops and other cool upbeat tunes. I even introduced and enrolled her into Malay traditional dance class, and most probably enrolling her into a modern dance class next year.

Sofia's always admiring whatever her big sister does, thus also following her footsteps in dancing. No particular enrolment for her yet though; I'm giving her a little more time to develop and to show her own real character and interests.

.... But then there are some whom criticized my action giving an approval to my daughters' dance interest.

Your criticism is expected, as always.
I could never please everyone, I shouldn't even bother to please everyone.

I'm here to give full support to my daughters, whatever it may be, whatever it takes, as long as it's within the good means I believe in.

Oh girls just want to have fun.
Dance the night(and day) away my babies.

We're reaching the end of January.
And it is 2018, people.

It's a shame really, that I still get some raised issue; some criticism over the choice that I made for my girl.

Source : Google

Why a general pre-school, not an Islamic one?
That building was supposed to be a church back then but the mosque next to it protested for it not to be one so it became a preschool. (See, we should not discriminate others in the first place! They'll be like "dah ada masjid, tak boleh ada gereja. Nanti orang pergi gereja, tak pergi masjid. *FACEPALM* Like, for an example, the most obvious example that seems to be happening these days : non-muslims are not allowed to go into a(ny) mosque, simply because they're non-muslims. *FACEPALM* 'pious' Muslim brothers and sisters, please stop the discrimination.)
She's wearing a skirt, she's supposed to be wearing a headscarf.
Chinese runs the school? Do they even teach agama there, or they don't?
What does she eat in school, is it Halal?
Her mates and teachers - are they malays, or of different races?

20freaking18.

Do you really have to question those?
Do I really need to answer any of it?

"It is nearing the end of the world".
But it is not the end of the world, yet.
I shall point that statement back to you now, shouldn't I?
It is nearing the end of the world.

Look at you.

Firstly, why do you have to be so racist towards the non-malays?
What's wrong with having friends and teachers whom are of different races and religions?
Why would you just be in a group of Malays, and not mix around with the rest?

Melayu dengan melayu.
Tak berkembang.
Thinking and actions level stops there.

Although I do like the fact that an Islamic school teaches the kids more on religious lessons and needs, but that's that. Nothing else excites me to send my girl over to such a school.
That is why I did not chose an Islamic school in the first place.
Bukannya nak hentam kaum melayu sendiri, atau tak sedar diri tu melayu Islam.

Islam does not teach you to be racist towards one another.
Islam does not teach you to be full of hatred.
Islam does not teach you to disrespect others.

Jangan kolot fikir diri sendiri tu perfect dan orang lain tak; questioning and judging people.

I'm not that stupid to not live within my means, to let my kids and family live too far out of our religious ways.

Of course it's a good preschool, even if it was first meant to be a church then turned into a school. She's not enrolled into a church lah please. The school wouldn't still be there more than a decade if it's of bad reputation, you think?
Of course the school has agama classes for the kids, I even teach her Islamic lessons at home. Do you?
Of course the food they serve is Halal. They live in Malaysia, they are aware of the mix culture. They're mostly non-muslim but they do respect their Muslim students needs so why can't you respect them too?
Of course her classmates and teachers are of mix races, I chose her to be in that group so that she socialize with all. What is wrong with that?
Of course she's wearing a skirt, that's the school uniform. She's only 5, and she's an active child. Why would you want to restrict her clothing, her childhood, her imagination?

We're not too far out of our Islamic ways, inshaaAllah.

Mind your own business, and stop the hatred.
Look into yourself before you talk bad about others.
Stop judging.

I am far from a good muslim but I thrive to be better.

I may not chose an Islamic school, you do.
I at least don't disrespect others, you do.

Peace out.

Disclaimer: This post might be a little harsh and sensitive to some people.
Heck, some might even think I am aiming this particular post to him/her.
Directly or indirectly, maybe yes maybe no.
It is up to you whichever way you decide to read/assume who it is really pointed to.
Or shall I just depict it as a general message to all? You be the judge; you love judging, yes?

Mayesa's now in pre-school.
She did joined into RockStar Gym for a few months last year but has since terminated her membership. She loves to dance, no doubt; just that she couldn't find enough joy (particularly friends - whom were 'according to her' mostly unfriendly to befriend with), so yeah. Currently she's not involved in any other extra classes such as Iqra' (this, I'll teach her on my own at home), swimming, arts, music classes etc.

None.

So here's my question to you:
Is it really necessary to send your kids to extra classes?

At the time being I have no intention or any plans on enrolling her for any classes outside of her school-hours. I strongly believe that a child can learn so much, but they only have a minimal time span to focus on one thing. She's only turning 5 this year and she has long (17?)more years to extend her knowledge. So I don't intend to rush her into things; I'm going to let her enjoy her childhood.

Just take one steady step at a time now will you?

I know it's challenging nowadays. The syllabus they've prepared and the results they're expecting from the young ones are ridiculous for the ministry to do so and for us parents to even brain them. Learning mathematical equations and extensive vocabs which we won't even be using much if not any in real life, that I don't see the need to burden them with those things.

It is like a war between those kids, and lead to an expected war between us Asian parents with a known kiasu-ness. Everyone is trying to compete with everyone else. It is a battle field, no doubt.

Chill people. Take a chill pill if you must.
Let them learn, and play. Let them find joy in learning.

A close example would be of my nephew.

He has school in the morning, agama(religious) school in the afternoon and tuition classes at night every single day in the week. Even on weekends! How do these kids absorb the inputs well in the first place. And how do you parents find the willpower to push (or shall I just say, pressure) them through it all?

Nowadays even pre-schoolers are being pushed to go into many different extra classes too. And no joke, there are cases where the young ones are needed to go to a psychiatrist due to depression.

Source : Google / Pinterest

I can't brain this.

I know I am still in the early stage of having a child who just started schooling.
Maybe I am (still) too laidback with my parenting, but does that mean my child won't excel much and advance like the other children? *cricket cricket*
I just don't find it necessary to send her to the extra classes at the moment. I'll let her learn and grow at her own pace. I'll spend time to get her involved with after-school activities with me at home, be it educational, arts, cooking, technology, sports whatever she feels like doing on that particular day.

Of course, there's absolutely no right or wrong way to parenting.
You do what's best for your child however you want them to be.
But would you just think about the child, mentally and emotionally, instead of just grades and just good grades?

This is just my take.
I know I won't burden or pressure my two daughters that much. As long as they're learning well, is on par with expectation and excellency,  and doesn't fall too far behind - I'm good. InshaaAllah.

Mayesa's turning 5 next year. It is finally time to get her registered into a pre-school.

I know ramai yang dah mula hantar anak-anak pergi tadika dari umur 4 tahun. As I am a stay-at-home-mom, I figured why not I just teach her the basics and only enroll her into a pre-school when she turns 5.

And I did.

And Alhamdulillah Mayesa now knows her ABC's and 123's both in reading and writing. She's good in arts. Dia suka menyanyi, menari and role-playing. She loves to draw and paint. She can also read and write a little bit of Jawi; can clearly recites dzikir and memorized a couple of short dua's as well as the basic of wudhu' and solat. I am going to start teaching her to spell and read next.

I think I did good.
She did great!
Syukur. Syukur Alhamdulillah.

For the time being I've shortlisted only a few pre-school in USJ/Subang Jaya area:
Smart Reader Kids
REAL Kids
Sri Comel
Krista
Brainy Bunch
Little Caliph

I've only visited Smart Reader Kids and I am liking it so far. Mayesa loves it too, but I can't say much since I've yet to visit the rest of the pre-school. I will definitely make a different post on the pros and cons, the likes and dislikes of each pre-school once I have done my research.

Or perhaps I might stumbled upon or choose other pre-schools which didn't even cross my mind at first, no? We'll see.