Spare the Rod?

Finally, Daddy and Mummy feel that the time has come to get a cane.  Honestly speaking, both our kids are not really that naughty as compared to some kids and at most times, they can be very sensible and sweet as to melt mummy's heart.  So why?

It's a long story to tell, Mummy is sure very displeased with her ex-preschool teacher who has an attitude problem and can't be bothered to inform the parents of any concern even tho' I've highlighted that this is the 1st year that my Cutie attends school (she did not attended Nursery 1 last year as we were overseas).

From what we had gathered, my Cutie was learning to adjust to school life and picked up the behaviours of other naughty kids (which I think the teacher can't control).  She had thot that it's alright to behave that way since that's how her classmates did.  She had a shock when we told her that those behaviours were not appropriate in school (after we learnt about it).

This situation could have been nipped in the bud, had this teacher bothered to inform us at the beginning of the year.  Without any feedback, Mummy had also thot that this Cutie had settled well in school (as it only happened when she's in school).  Mummy's heart aches to learn that her behaviour had gone uncorrected for so many months and knowing well that this couldn't have become an issue had we been informed earlier (definitely not after 2 terms of school life and even attended a Parent-teacher session which nothing was ever mentioned).

With a behaviour that had now become a habit, Mummy understands that it would be difficult and a lot of patience is required to help my Cutie to get it corrected.

But with her getting smarter day by day and learning to test limit, it is tougher to get her to unlearn those behaviours especially she knew now that there's nothing her teachers can do to her. *Sigh*

Daddy and Mummy felt that it is important to put a stop to this now before it worsened.  We had tried all sorts of reasoning and ways to explain and guide her.  We could have used the cane long ago, but we believe it should be used as a last resort.

As an educator, I strongly believe a child's behaviours should be corrected when they are young.  Being a parent, I have also seen and learnt that it is harder to correct a child once it becomes a habit.

It pains Mummy when my Cutie got caned, so I use these 2 phrases to remind myself that this has to be done for the good of my Cutie.

- "Spare the rod and spoil the child"
- "It's better to shed tears in peace time, then to shed blood during war time" (hee..., this one learnt from' my instructress during OCS days)

Here's a video to share, which was taken at the shop where we bought the cane.  See how my Sweetie behaved tho' she knew that the cane was bought for her Jiejie.  Her Daddy has then become her "enemy" in her bid to protect her sister.