There were also some instances when I'd end up debating with some over "spelling" and "grammar", etc. "Leaped" versus "Leapt" ("leaped is so totally wrong!" - well it isn't, just that British favours "leapt" more), the role o f silent "e", etc.
It does get very tiring at times at best and at the worst, it is downright infuriating because some of these people would totally not be receptive to ideas and opinions and think that only their views are right and they do not need to learn anything new.
This essentially is one of the many values I try to teach Dumpling - to be teachable i.e. humble. For Dumpling, she sometimes gets very bossy and argumentative. She'd argue that she is right and everyone else is wrong. I am still trying to to unteach that.
For we can only be as good as we can get if we were to be locked within our own world. If one is unteachable and thinks that his / her view is the best, then to me, the person is and will forever remain stagnant. This applies not only to Dumpling but also to myself. Though trying, I always take a step back and try to be receptive to new ideas / thoughts as I'd remind myself that I do not have all the answers. It is good to always have a healthy dose of information from someone else as well as to have a robust exchange of ideas so that we can better ourselves.
With this belief, I ended up creating a group on Facebook which is one of the best things that I have ever done for myself and I hope, for many members. The wealth of information in the exchanges is just tremendous. Being in Kiasu Singapore, some have asked me why I am so open to exchanges of resources, etc. My answer to that is there is only 1 of me and 24 hours daily. If we have an open exchange of ideas, thoughts and sharing of resources, it saves so much time for everyone. And of course, I choose to trust the better side of humans where the information/sharing is not being abused.
Because of this belief and group, I learnt a lot too; from ex teachers to early childhood educators to professional storyteller to facebook webstore books sellers, the expertise and opinions shared is mind boggling. So to all of you, thank you. :) (Edit: gonna claim bragging rights here by staking claim to say that we form this Facebook homeschool/homelearning community first! lol)
Wherein humility, I learn. Wherein sharing, I receive. Wherein giving, I am blessed. Many many times over. :)
Hi Alicia, thanks for inviting me to be part of the group. Though I don't contribute much to the conversations, there are so many good sharings from the moms. And who says moms are competitive? The moms are all so willing to share the good resources and teaching materials they've got. And learning is a life long journey. The one who thinks that he's got is all is a fool to believe that.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! Thanks for dropping by :) You have no idea how much I agree with your last statement coz in unity there is power no man can be an island. Lol
ReplyDeleteDoubt I have the patience to homeschool my girl so kudos to you. Definitely there is no end to our learning! =)
ReplyDeleteHi Madeline,
ReplyDeleteDo small pockets of activities then. Start with reading and then add in slowly. :) You can always head here or join us at our FB group for ideas!
Thanks for inviting me, a stranger into the group. Even though I am no one special nor do I have as great an idea as most of you do. It does save me a lot of time of starting from scratch. Now I use all those sharing information and extend them or customized them to my son. The group widen my horizon in seeing things with different point of view. Sometimes, it makes me feel better to know other parents being in a similar situation (hehe, i am kind of mean here, sorry *wink*). Also it helps keep me sane after losing many common topic with my old buddies. Kinda like a whole new kind of social life.
ReplyDeleteOoy Yoan, thanks for your honesty and I think sometimes as parents, we can be too hard on ourselves. I am happy that you find the group to be useful. We certainly enjoy seeing your journey too. :)
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