I think it really depends on each child. My DS is sec 1 this year, also hooked to HP…I realized that it is really harder to control him at this age than when he was in primary school. Like vinegar’s case, he can agree to the vices of addiction to hp, but he will still be 我行我素, I can talk till the cow comes home, but he will still do his way. He’s grown so much taller than me, I can’t really take things away from him if he holds onto them firmly…I dun want to put myself at risk of him pushing me.

In fact, I’ve complained to form teachers abt this hp thing, but teachers said that as long as he abide by the no-usage policy during sch time, the kids are free to use it like during recess/after school in the school premises.

DS also agrees with me that he needs to improve his time management skills esp when there’s a lot of hw assigned, however, again, just pay lip service…when I offer advice on how to "spread out his hw"…he will then counter with excuses.
Sometimes, he’s quite illogical as well, eg he will skip his soccer session just because he has too much hw, then he ends up "nua-ing" at home during that period of time…(I would rather he just go to his soccer!)

I’ve been told by some frenz that this is a teenage phase that I just need to bite my tongue and live through it…however, I do not want my ds to "regret" these few wasted years (could be 2 or 3 or more?) and when he decides to wake up, could be too late, right? Now, I just treat like I’m flying kite…when I can tighten my control due to ds in better mood, I will do it, when he’s in bad mood, I just let loose my strings lor.

MyPillow:

My ds is well mannered n patient to friends , peers, classmates, Teachers.
But he is different at home, in total teenager operation mode. Stubborn, non responsive , nua, Not responsible , wrong usage of tone , hp, wats app, game - I sooooo.... dun fancy teens

OT, I just had to say this.....what u described sounds exactly like my DS.... :slapshead:

Reporting to this thread…my eldest child going to Sec 1 too…will be a brand new experience for me…

jedamum:

50min one way, my boy does his work or nap on the bus.

Never once did he complain that he have to wake up early in the morning? If never, he must be very motivated by his school then...

nicnac:

We have not made our choices yet.


DD's first choice is about 45mins away on a smooth traffic. DH's preferred choice is about 15mins away.
I am torn between the 2.

I feel u, we are in same boat. We submitted (longer distance school as first choice) but still wondering if should change.
Torn....that's the word.

Hi iemum


let me post my questions here, bcos I think there’s some issue with pm…

your DS takes CC line to MS rt? So what time does he leave hse every morning?
Since your DS travelling time is abt 40mins, has there been occasions where he feels like all these travelling is too much for him?
As for school culture, is the school environment nurturing and inclusive? Or only focus on top class and elite students like top students and student leaders. If any boy is falling behind on his studies, does the school or teachers bother? Or just deem it to be the parent and outside tuition job to back the boy?

thanx

iemum:

Just sent my boy to sch for the open house and saw many new parents just like us few years back. Looking back, we were glad that we had put Maris as our first choice back then.

Hi iemum

dropped u a pm with some questions...thanx.

XYZ1

Jacobgoh:

For us we just picked the most convenient so that he can get tangible benefits like time to rest and less competitive mindsets from the kiasuparents kids.

Do you think the school makes a difference to your child's intelligence at all? or are we choosing to believe in that to convince ourselves we did something ? Our opinion is that a person's ability is restricted by his genetic make up and that is it.

My problem now is that it is DS who is the one insisting......not us the parents.....

Thanks Chief, SpartanMum and Careermum for your insights and sharing....

I thot I was the only having this problem until I saw posts from nicnac and attempt impossible....
I will definitely discuss the pros and cons with DS, but what I'm afraid is that current moment is \"passionate\" period, so he
will of course, say YES to all cons that we will point out to him. After honeymoon wears off, I'm afraid
he will forget all the conversations that we've had.....
On one hand I do not want to be a wet blanket to him, on the other hand, I really have concerns abt the travelling....
dilemma....

:sad:

SpartanMum:

Distance does make a huge difference. It is so very tempting to send to the best school the score can get you and I see so many doing this but if there is a good school near by that DC can get into it's a significant advantage.

What if it is the kid who wants to choose the farther school?
DS is impressed by a sch 50mins away from our hse by MRT (DTL then CC line)....I'm a not sure, but he seems so passionate, should I dissuade him? We visited the school and it was like \"love-at-first-sight\" for DS, I like the sch myself, but it is the distance that I'm not sure....but now DS seems determined to put that sch as first choice.

We visited other schools near our house, but this farther school is still his # 1 fav.....the other nearer schs all need at least 30mins of bus commute as well....so no sch within walking distance.

Anyone with experience to share?