Jaslyn's Report Card

It’s been a while... Just completed my 6th In-Camp Training 2 weeks ago. That was 2 weeks of not needing to use the brain cells at all – we just sat around and waited for instructions, moved only when told to. There was no need to make decisions; even meals are a no-brainer affair: you just eat whatever is served. It was just fantastic. Maybe that is why I am feeling so burnt out now. Adjusting back to civilian life has been one long and steep up-hill climb.

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Jaslyn brought home her mid-term report card last month. The grades were not too good – mostly Bs and Cs. She was graded for things like: Able to greet teacher spontaneously, Able to make friends, Speaks up often in class, etc. Was rather upset with these measures – at just four years old, these children are already being graded on pre-conceived traits which society deems socially desirable. I understand the argument is that we have to be realistic and that people who possesses such traits are indeed probably the ones who will do well in society. And what better time to start cultivating such characteristics than when they are young?

But I find it ridiculous that 4 year olds are already receiving C-grades simply because they are introverted in nature, as if that was a short-coming, or a flaw in personality. Furthermore, I meet Jaslyn's teacher every morning when I bring her to school, and she is not that gregarious a person either. Ironic that Jaslyn should be graded by one who would probably do as badly, and sad that the school should choose such criteria to grade a child.

Contemplated switching schools for her, but Jaslyn appears to get along with her friends, and I am not too sure how wise it would be to uproot her when the new school might not turn out to be any better.

In the end, I dutifully signed the report card and handed it back to Jaslyn, who remains blissfully unaware of its contents.

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Jason is a little tornado. He's very active and restless – normal for a boy, I guess. He refuses to stay still, and would crawl all over the house, pulling things down along the way. He also takes a perverse delight in making his way to the wall socket outside the bedroom and playing with the switch, which means that we have to constantly run after him and carry him back to his play area. He screams if you try to restrain him, so you let go and he quickly makes his way to the wall socket again. And the cycle continues.

Jason laughs less now, compared to when he was a newborn. He still enjoys a tickle and the occasional game of peek-a-boo with his blanket though, and remains entertained by his irrepressible sister.