Cucu Opah
I've got tonnes of work, but I'm too lazy to start. Two paper work to be submitted before I go off for my holiday on the 9th. I think, I still got time.
I spoke to my mother just now. She complained about my youngest brother. His only child is going to stay with my parents next year because his wife (my SIL) is going to be posted back to Dungun for 6 months (she's doing her Masters at UiTM). Since my brother is still living and working in KL and my SIL will be in Terengganu temporarily, they have decided, for the benefit of the child, the boy will stay with my parents in Ipoh.
Being the only child, my nephew is somewhat spoilt. He is 6 years old but still can't read & write properly. He was put in a kindy since he was 4, but my mother felt that the kindy hasn't done justice to the child. And according to my mother, the boy has been neglected by his parents and as such, he has been left behind academically.
My mother was a teacher before, so she is very particular about these things. Pantang betul cucu dia tak pandai sekolah, you know what I mean? I was told, after the streaming test the other day, the boy was placed in the last class for Std 1 (out of 5 classes) and that has caused a major upset to my mother's nervous system. She called me and was almost in tears. She couldn't believe her cucu is not clever.
I told her to relax. I think, once the boy starts living with my parents, he will change and will become a better person. I know this because I know my mother's style of teaching. Selagi tak dapat, jangan bergerak dari meja study tu! She was very fierce.... I used to call her "Harimau Berantai"! But now maybe not so garang anymore. Age may have played down her character.
So, her call to me just now was to say that she was at lost on what to do with that little boy. I think, he has hurt her ego. My mother was once a teacher at that school which the boy is going to next year. If the cikgu2 there know that her cucu is in the last class, malu lah dia, kan? That's why she's going frolic over this!
Hai... susahlah macam ni. The boy hasn't even started school yet and my mother is making a big issue out of it. I foresee he's going to have a tough time with her Opah. Poor boy.... I need to talk to my brother this weekend.
I spoke to my mother just now. She complained about my youngest brother. His only child is going to stay with my parents next year because his wife (my SIL) is going to be posted back to Dungun for 6 months (she's doing her Masters at UiTM). Since my brother is still living and working in KL and my SIL will be in Terengganu temporarily, they have decided, for the benefit of the child, the boy will stay with my parents in Ipoh.
Being the only child, my nephew is somewhat spoilt. He is 6 years old but still can't read & write properly. He was put in a kindy since he was 4, but my mother felt that the kindy hasn't done justice to the child. And according to my mother, the boy has been neglected by his parents and as such, he has been left behind academically.
My mother was a teacher before, so she is very particular about these things. Pantang betul cucu dia tak pandai sekolah, you know what I mean? I was told, after the streaming test the other day, the boy was placed in the last class for Std 1 (out of 5 classes) and that has caused a major upset to my mother's nervous system. She called me and was almost in tears. She couldn't believe her cucu is not clever.
I told her to relax. I think, once the boy starts living with my parents, he will change and will become a better person. I know this because I know my mother's style of teaching. Selagi tak dapat, jangan bergerak dari meja study tu! She was very fierce.... I used to call her "Harimau Berantai"! But now maybe not so garang anymore. Age may have played down her character.
So, her call to me just now was to say that she was at lost on what to do with that little boy. I think, he has hurt her ego. My mother was once a teacher at that school which the boy is going to next year. If the cikgu2 there know that her cucu is in the last class, malu lah dia, kan? That's why she's going frolic over this!
Hai... susahlah macam ni. The boy hasn't even started school yet and my mother is making a big issue out of it. I foresee he's going to have a tough time with her Opah. Poor boy.... I need to talk to my brother this weekend.
Comments
Alamak susah ni. I can understand your mum's concern, but on the other hand kalau benda ni diperbesar-besarkan, takut your bro and SIL kecil hati lak (and nanti tak nak tinggalkan their son at your mum's..lain lak jadi ceritanya..)
I hope your mum has lost some of her 'tarings' and will try to teach the little boy supaya he can excel to a better class next year.
Susah kan jadik anak or cucu cikgu ni. Like you, my Mom pun teacher gak, and selau the kida are being asked, dapat number brapa, how was your exam etc. Tension gak the kids but they know she means well.
Still not too late, the little boy is only 6, can catch up with lots of TLC :)
Your mom ada ´gaya´ macam my mom aje... ´Harimau Berantai´.. he.he.he.. I think because they were teachers before. Pantang tengok budak malas ke sekolah or malas baca buku... anything related to education! Whatever it is.. they meant ´good´.
Hopefully your anak sedara will improve a lot by staying with his Opah.
I think ur mum shoud take a holistic approach of the matter... difficult children must be handled appropriately... but of course with great dicipline.
Tell ur mum that being in the last class means nothing lah dear. Look at Adam, this year he was in the last class of his school but still managed 5As in his UPSR. Just tell her, to just help the child to learn and teach him good learning habits.
Also with ur brother letting ur mum take care of his son, he must have some confidence in her to help his child learn proper.
Have a good weekend.
Aida - pantang dengar kalau org ask any of my kids "dpt no berapa?"
Insyaallah, he will.
A few years back I was doing a medical documentary serees. 1 of the of the topic was Learning disabilities among children. He might have dyslexia or maybe attention disorder. There ways to identify them and once identified there wyas to help them improve their learning abilities.
I remember those days teachers weren't equipted with knowledge to identify these kids. Those not so smart were sent straight to last class without trying to find out the underlying problem.
I don't blame teachers, but I think they need to be armed with these knowledge so that identified children can be given proper 'treatment'. Who knows, these children might be geniuses waiting to be unearth.
That's what I'm afraid of. Nanti kecik hati pulak my bro and SIL. But you know lah my mother.... she tak akan puas hati selagi that boy is not out of that last class!
That's what I told my mum, he's only 6 y.o. He still has a long way to go to learn. With the right guidance, he'll do well, insyaallah. No need to make such a big fuss about it lah, kan?
I guess teachers being teachers, there are certain things that matter most to your heart. I suppose you're right. It goes to show how much you care for your students' well-being. If they do well, that means you've done well too. And that's a sign of a good teacher!
I will do that soon.
Kmar,
Ya lah, emak kita ni garang lah, kan? But it's for our own good juga...
I've told her that but it's hard for her to accept it. She wants her grandson to be in the first class. Macamana tu? Tak dapek den nak menolong!
I think that boy can do it, he's just playful. With the right coaching and attention, he'll do well. I'm quite sure of that! But try to convince my mum lah... :(
Thanks for sharing. What you said is right, there must be a different way to tackle this. I always believe all children are smart. It's how you guide them that determines how well they do in school/ life.
Thanks for sharing. Your child is very lucky to have you as his/her parents. It takes a lot of time and effort, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end. Insyaallah...
I've been your silent reader for quite some times and really enjoy all entries you wrote...
When I read this entry, I decided to write to you.
I think I might know your SIL, since I also work in Dungun. Is she attaching with office management faculty? Is her name Sarinah or fondly known as Rin?
Yesterday, when I had my breakfast with one of my colleague, she mentioned that Rin will be back to Dungun since she had finished her MA. Then, I remember what I’ve read in your blog and decide to ask you.
If that so, all I can say, what a small world …
Well MrsN … keep up a good work.
Have a nice day.
Peminatmu … :p
Oh my! What a small world! Yes, Sarinah is my SIL! I saw her last Saturday when we were visiting my other brother at a hospital. She said she just finished her viva.
Geez... I still can't believe what a small world this is!! I never thought any of my family members would know of my blog coz I don't tell them. But anyway, my kids now know of it and read it sometimes.
Thanks for dropping by and have a nice day!