All About Your Child

This happened on 23rd January Friday outside Keatkeat’s classroom….

When we brought our boys to school, the angry mother of one of Keatkeat’s classmate was already firing away at the Teacher and another parent.

Auntie F: “How could you be so irresponsible? It’s obvious that the chicken pox are not totally dried yet. Bring him home.”

Auntie K: “But the doctor has already certified that my boy is well to go to school.”

Auntie F (turning towards the teacher): “As a teacher, you should take care of the health of your students. Imagine if the whole class get infected, that would affect their studies.”

Teacher: “But the doctor has already certified.” Showing the letter to Auntie F.

Aunite F (extremely pissed, turned to other parents who are there): “Don’t you agree with me? Imagine your kid gets the virus, how is he/she going to enjoy Chinese New Year?”

Everyone (not in unison though): “If the doctor thinks its safe, then it should be ok….”

Auntie F (fuming like a dragon, turned towards Auntie K): “I think you SHOULD bring your boy home now!”

Auntie K (called out to her boy who was already in the class long before we arrived): “Boy, would you like to go home now?”

Boy shook his head and ran back to his classmate, to continue their game.

Auntie F: “Aiyo!!! Why did you ask him? Just bring him HOME!”

By this time, all the kids have arrived. The teacher was ready to close the door.

Auntie F: “Teacher, are you sure you want to keep that boy in the class?”

The teacher smiled back and the door was shut.

Allan and I were walking away, but Auntie F refused to budge. She was raising her voice now, “Today is only an hour of fun, sharing CNY goodies with all the friends. Its not a study-day. Why did you bring him here? Its going to be CNY on Monday. How could you not consider the consequences of bringing your boy here today? It is completely unnecessary. You could have waited for the CNY holidays to be over, which is on Wednesday. In that way, the boy’s spots would have completely dried up and its safer for all the other children…..blah blah blah”

We left the uncomfortable scene. Allan and I shared the same view. If Auntie F is so afraid that ‘her’ daughter will get infected, then bring her home! If the doctor had certified that it is safe, then it should be.

But after 2 weeks from that incident outside the class, many doubted the credibility of the Doctor. Cos’ now, other than Keatkeat, several classmates are ABSENT from school because of Chicken Pox too. *sigh*

This happened on 27th January 2009

Background story as to why 2nd day of CNY is extra special to me:

Ever since my dad passed away 14 years ago, we hardly get in touch with his family, except for CNY. My dad has 11 brothers and sisters (including himself). Its a big family that is scattered all over Malaysia, Singapore and one in England. My dad was born in Malaysia, but during the time of Singapore’s Independence, he became a Singapore Citizen, holding a pink IC.

When my mom left home one year after my marriage, my sis and I went MIA (missing-in-action) completely. I didn’t want to answer questions like, “Where is your mom? Where did she go? Why did she leave?…”

It was till the day she passed away, that we ‘re-appeared’ to this big family. It felt really awkward when we appeared on 2nd Day of CNY 3years ago. For one, we were the only family without the ‘old folks’. Luckily, my boys diverted the relatives’ attention away. It’s much better now.

Many ask, why did we bother to go back after 8 years of MIA. Simple, I miss them. My mom did them wrong, but we didn’t. In all due respect, I should still meet up with them once a year. On top of that, my sis haven’t been getting a ‘decent’ amount of Hong Baos for 8years. With her steady relationship with her boyfriend, she would not be able to enjoy the privilege of receiving them for too many years now.

Ever since my grandma passed away, the 5 families in Singapore no longer go into Malaysia, it was the other way round. ‘Cos the eldest sibling is in Singapore. The photo above only shows less than half of the huge family.

This year, Binbin was extra cranky. His level of cooperation decreases as we head to more houses. Till this (left) happened while we were on the way to the 3rd house.

Allan stayed with him in the car for another half an hour before we decided to end his nap.

The last house we went was a relative we had not seen for 10years! We didn’t have much to talk about but Binbin sure enjoyed himself playing with their dog.

This pretty much ends the visiting craze of CNY. This Sunday, we will be visiting my Mom’s family. The family who took care of me since the day I was born. *smile*