i want

Some time back, Ethan was one of the six nominees for head prefect. The entire family sprung into action to help in his election campaign, lol. We helped to refine his speech as well as in making the poster (above). On the day he gave the speech, Ewan held this poster up for him. i wasn't there but this pic below will do :)

The students and teachers voted. The Principal interviewed them. Ethan didn't get it. i asked him how he felt about the outcome and he said "Ok lah". He was genuinely ok :) He wasn't disappointed. In fact, he looks forward to serving in the executive committee.

i was more disappointed than he was of the outcome. AND i am not proud of it. In fact, i am ashamed to feel this way. Ashamed that i wanted him to be head prefect cos i will then look good as a parent. Ethan made a darn mature comment that all parents want their kids to be head prefect more than the kids want for themselves, LOL

i can laugh about this now and i thank God for this experience. It will be a constant struggle i guess - what we want for our kids, is it really for them or for ourselves.

This morning i heard from Ethan that his classmate has chicken pox. My first reaction was Oh dear. i sms-ed his classmate's mummy and we talked for a while over the phone. Last year, her son wasn't chosen to participate in the China immersion programme that Ethan went to. This year he was chosen and they were very excited about it. But 2 weeks back, S's younger brother contracted chicken pox and this mummy was hoping (against hope) that S won't get it cos he has been vaccinated a few years back and him being P6, it would be his last chance. But alas, he got it yesterday and he wouldn't be able to go to China this coming Friday afterall.

i am so sorry for the disappointment the family feels. But you know what? My friend told me that it's all relative: it IS better for S to get chicken pox here in Singapore than when he is in China, imagine ALL the hassle. OK, point taken, LOL. i salute this mum. It's something she had no control over, but she made the best out of the situation. And i know she would be able to help S to deal with the disappointment as well.

i can't control the outcome of the head prefect election, but i can make the best out of the situation: Ethan has had the invaluable experience of running for a (mini) election and dealing with failure and this mum has learnt a invaluable parenting lesson of honesty with herself :)

Ethan (3rd from left) on Student Leaders' Investiture Ceremony (21 Feb)

Ethan on his 12th Birthday (22 Feb)