Will children end up hating Joseph Schooling?

This week or to be exact, just these two days (What?Only two days has passed since Joseph Schooling won our nation's first Olympic gold medal? Felt like a long time from the barrage of media coverage), it has been a SCHOOLING craze. From the moment I wake up and open my Facebook, there's a ton of posts and news all about him- his past, his glories, the international news about him and even his stopover at an airport before returning back to Singapore. Also, not forgetting, the amount of jokes that was circulating as well.

Anyway, as a parent of two young children, aged 8 and 9, I am concerned not of the attention Joseph is getting. Of course, he deserves it. Afterall, he has worked so hard for it and achieved not only an Olympic Gold Medal but an Olympic Record! If I could, I would also wish to welcome him back at the airport tomorrow morning. I am concerned about the aftermath of this..

From the parenting point of view, I am concerned that parents may give undue pressure to our children because of this. To be honest, I am a little uneasy when people give comments to other parents that their child would be the next Joseph Schooling or Joscelin Yeo. Yes, dreaming has become more a reality when "there was a time when people said that Singapore won't make it, but we did" and I am not saying we shouldn't dream. I am a huge believer of dreams and making sure that we spend each day a little closer to that dream. What I want to emphasize here is that I believe that we are all created unique and the last thing I want to see is to see the next generation growing up unhappy and losing that sense of awe and wonderment when they achieved something because they didn't even believe or buy into it in the first place. I want to see the next generation find their own purpose in life and become what they were meant to be.

Just last night, I attended the NUS Alumni Family Day where we caught the movie, "Kung Fu Panda 3". One of the quotes that I remembered so clearly between the Master Shifu and Po, the panda was..
Po: Teaching? There’s no way I’m ever gonna be like you!
Shifu: I’m not trying to turn you into me; I’m trying to turn you into you.

This is exactly what we should want from our children. Not to turn them into the next Joseph Schooling or Joscelin Yeo, but to guide them and turn them to be what they were created for...which I am sure will be a greater purpose and meaning than what WE WANT for our children.

 I am not sure if this craze has led us to end up comparing our children with Joseph Schooling or not but I sure pray that we should pick up the positive style of parentings that Colin and May Schooling did for Joseph throughout this whole swimming journey instead.

Here's what I have learnt from them:

1) Let your child dream his own dream
At the age of 6, Schooling told his parents he wanted to be in the Olympic Games

2) Get involved
Be supportive of your child's dream and not brush it aside as something that won't earn much money and useless. I think this is a huge factor of your child's success.It's amazing and mind boggling to see the tremendous effort put in by Colin and May.

Aside from the bone-mass study for their son to see if he would go far in this swimming journey, documenting every swim meet since he started to race at 5 years old to preparing a goal or target schedule for him, taking serious interest in it by building an extensive swim library at home, took the swimming association official's credential test, technical officials course, attended courses and lectures conducted by experts as well as playing host to many visiting Olympic Swim Teams so as to learn from them...the list just goes on and on...

They literally invested their time and effort in supporting their son every way they can so as to help him realise his dream. (oh, and not forgetting submitting scientific studies, documentations, newspaper clippings to Singapore Sports Council and to authorities involved to defer their son's NS)

3) Enjoy time with your child
From the articles and news coverage I have been reading, its so evident the parents' strong love for their son. They made sure one parent would be around to be with him at all times.

4) Impart good family values
Despite spending so much time involved in the sport, they also both made sure that Joseph receives proper upbringing and to raise him up with good family values.

The title of this post is as such because I do not want us to keep on comparing and nagging at our children such that every sentence when we discipline them, ends up with what Joseph Schooling did right and what they did wrong.

Let us learn from what Colin and May did right so that we stand as coaches and mentors for our children instead.

Happy Parenting the next generation!

Trip to the Southern Islands

Singapore is a very small island. But did you know Singapore used to own 70 over islands. Now it has been reduced to 40 islands. So we made use of the long June Holidays to make a day trip to visit the Southern Islands.

 

We left the house early in the morning to take the train (downtown line) and bus to the Pier.

 

For information of the islands as well as ferry timings and pricings, check out this site

Singapore Island Cruise and Ferry Website

 

 

First time taking the downtown line

 

Still groggy

Marina South Pier

From St John's island, you head left and take a long walk to Lazarus Island. But its worth it as the waters and beach there is amazing!

 

 

 

Road that we walked to Lazarus Island

 

Lazarus Island

Lovely sand and waters

My boy loving the sand

 

Both my children swimming the sea

 

Many people come here for fishing. We set up a picnic spot in a shady spot. Bad mistake as there were many cats there. But thankfully, my children helped to entertain the cats.

 



 

Beef sandwich, nachos, apples

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was this guy who caught a really big fish. So he was cutting it up to put in his cooler box. The cats probably thought they were in for a big treat!

 



 

 

Se stayed in St John's Island for 3 hours. Then we made our way to Kusu Island.

 



 The weather was scorching hot that I had to jump into the waters to cool myself down.

 

I caught a common Sea Star for Caleb! Quite cool! The starfish was wriggling and bending backwards as if to grab my hand..yeeks..so creepy!

 



 

 

 

 

 

After that, we made our way back to the shores of Singapore!

 



 

 It was very exhausting and dirty since we didn't get to bathe. But I am glad my children didn't mind.

After returning back to Marina South Pier, we went to the Singapore Maritime Museum. Quite a nice place! Fun for children too with all the interactive stuff!

Made from Lego

 What a day!! Very fulfilling..We were all burnt after the trip even after putting sunblock!

Things to take note when going
1) Wear your swimming costumes first as there is no toilet facilities in Lazurus Island
2) Bring LOTS of water!
3) Bring food
4) Sunscreen
5) If you have a tent, best to set it up as it acts as a shade in the beach area
6) Pack as light as possible (if you can) as you will be walking quite a lot if you are going to Lazarus Island



A path less travelled

Since late last year in December when I started my children on swimming lessons, so many thoughts and images ran through my mind. My children are 5 and 6 years old now and for the longest time, I have been hesitating to sign them up for lessons. One of the reason was I had way too much on my plate and too tired to take them for classes when I was still working as it takes commitment not only for the children but more for the parents as they are the one who is going to drive it.

And the other reason for this hesitation is because of my past. I have started swimming at the age of 3 and started competing since I was 6 years old. Represented the Republic when I was in Primary 4 till I was in JC1. Life as a swimmer from young was not an easy path. It was gruelling, and many times, I just had to either play sick (which most of the time didn't work) or just grit my teeth, wipe my tears away and just do it. I remember there was this one time I saw lightning through the water I was swimming in and also another time when I cut my finger really deeply that I still had to just wrap it up and continue training by swimming with one hand. That was the kind of discipline(if you like to put it) and commitment we had.

Training in Chinese Swimming Club where everyone of your friends also went through the same thing.Waked up early for training at 5:30am till 730am. Rushed to school. Allowed to skip the first lesson of school. Then training again from 4pm-7pm. Then rushed for tuition. My meals were mostly in the cars as I gulped down breakfast and dinner. Of course, there are benefits to what I went through and how I have turned out but would I want this on my children?

So most of my friends who knew me since young all wonder why I have not started my children on swimming and why am I not teaching them on my own? Since December, I signed them up for lessons at my nearest public pool which I found to be reasonably priced for my pocket and my children's experience now is so different from what I went through. Whenever I see them, I start to wonder what kind of children I want them to be- enjoying what they do but end up maybe not as good as they can be or just get a fierce coach, force them to train so that they can be stretched and be good in something...

To be honest, on the contrary of what my friends think, I am not a good swimmer. I just end up doing well because I swim so much. I am sure any child who went through what I went through, would also end up being good in swimming.

Aside from swimming, the other thing was which school should my children go to- branded or neighbourhood? I had the ability to send my children to a branded school since I was from there and I thought it would be fuss free as I do not have to go through any balloting.

Coming from Tao Nan, Raffles Girls' and then Temasek JC, obviously I would send my children to branded schools. Right?

I have never felt stress being in those schools even though I was not a bright student. I enjoyed my education in all those schools- the environment was good and conducive. That was what I wanted for my children too.

So for the longest time, I was dead set to send my children to Tao Nan since I had the opportunity...so why not? But when crunch time came, I opted for a school nearest my house- a neighbourhood school. I do not have a car so it is just a way more practical decision since it is just 10 mins walk from my house.

So the key question that has been asked- is every school a good school? In my opinion, no but all schools do strive to be a good school but I think given the culture and bad reputation of some neighbourhood schools, it is quite difficult and challenging for them to be a good school.

Do I worry now that I placed my child in a neighbourhood school that he may end up bad? On the contrary, I am happy and glad I did. He is a happier learner in this school and hopefully with the teaching and values I have been imparting at home, it is a good foundation for him to withstand most obstacles or temptations he faces in school.

As for which secondary school, I already have in mind but once again, when the time comes, who knows what I may choose?

So the questions I have been asking myself is whether I am short changing my child by sending them to a public pool for swimming lessons with some coach who most likely swim slower than me or when I am sending them to a nearby neighbourhood school where most people would not even have known the existence of such a school in Singapore.

In conclusion, all I want to say is this-no matter how hard I try or not try, we will never be perfect and we can never dictate how our children will turn out as a result of what we do now with them. All I can do is trust the One who created them, who loves them more than I do as I surrender myself to Him.In His time, God will make all things good. So why fret and worry so much?

For the record, my children is happy learning swimming in a public pool and enjoying their school!

 

Like to end off by sharing what I read one day during my quiet time.

GOD'S MERCY

The parenting journey is full of mistakes. We will never be perfect. But, we can be comforted by the fact that God knows us, He knows the mistakes we make, and He loves us just the same. He doesn't expect perfection.

God expects us to offer our parenting as an act of worship. When we renew our minds by internalizing His truth, and parent according to His plan for success, He is pleased. You know what this is like — when your child presented you with a project ...they made you hung it on your wall or refrigerator because it represented their love for you. It wasn't the artistic excellence you prized, but the motivation behind it. It is no different for God.

Renew your mind and parent your kids as a spiritual act of worship to please God.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1, 2 NIV)

Workout..FINALLY!

I have been putting off my exercise lately because firstly, I don't see the need to since I am at my ideal weight and secondly, ever since I have been staying at home, I enjoy just staying put in the comfort of my home.

Anyway, I finally decided to have a good workout today because I feel I cannot stay lethargic and I should not be so comfortable at home. I need to get my butt off my bed. (yes, my favourite spot in the day as I watch TV in bed while eating lunch, lie on bed surfing the net and just lying down)

Always wanted to go swimming as the last time I swam was probably in April? So grabbed my bike, cycled about 6.8km to the swimming pool...swam 1km. Though I wanted to swim more, I decided I better keep some reserves for my return trip back home. So after the swim, I just dried myself u,  put on my clothes with my swimming costume still on and cycled home.

I figured why bathe when I still have to cycle back. So I packed light- just my towel, goggles and underwater mp3 player to keep me entertained while swimming.

I love my underwater mp3 player which my hubby got for me last year as a present. It's so therapeutic and peaceful listening to music in the water.

Anyway, all in all, I cycled 13.08km. I was burning on the way back as it was noontime and the sun was just out of control at that time.

Went home feeling accomplished and fit! Think the only time I will do it again is when the weather isn't so hot! Ok, back to lying in bed! ;)