Tag Archives: life with a grade schooler

Life with a grade schooler: graduation

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Today, you had your graduation from your after school.

It was leagues more special than your school graduation itself.

All the previous teachers who left the after school either joined in person or online in the “graduation event” that your after school made just for you. They also presented you with handmade gifts and wrote messages on your yearbook. Even the teachers who already left the after school were able to write in their own handwriting on your yearbook. Which meant they made the effort go to the school to write on the book in addition to actually joining your small party.

As a mother, I am so so so happy to know that you are so much loved.

I am very thankful.

Life with a grade schooler: “From now on”

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We started our juku journey technically from September 2023 when we started to try enter Sapix by taking their entrance exams.

We tried twice. Unfortunately we couldn’t pass, as we absolutely did not do any kind of studying whatsoever. In fact, you couldn’t even have more than 3 correct answers for all four subjects (National Language/Math/Science/Social Studies).

Despite the failure, this was a positive experience for us though. As I got to learn your mindset. When I asked you how was the exam, your consistent answer was: I haven’t learned it yet.

Wow.

There could be kids/ people who’d say: I can’t do it. I’m not good enough.

But thankfully you didn’t say that. Your reply was instead one with a growth mindset. Thank you my dear Yui.

And then last 7/7, we took our first mock exam. We had to do it so that juku can prep you further depending on your results. And then come summer end, we take another mock test again.

When I asked you how you fared compared to Sapix exams, you said, I think I improved by 30%.

To which I exclaimed “what?! After six months only 30%?!”.

Your calm reply: Mommy what are you talking about?! That just means that from now on I will exponentially improve!

And so with that I got speechless.

Thank you my dear baby. God bless you.

Life with a grade schooler: Catching the train

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We had a long drive last night (we arrived at 2am!) hence I decided to commute for the day’s activities. That, plus we were hurrying not to be late for our choir practice and I wasn’t sure if parking will come easy.

One thing to note: we were all on time on all of our appointments. Except for catching the train. I was the only one who made it inside the train while Yui couldn’t get it despite trying to bar the door with her bag.

I made exaggerated mouth movements to tell her I’ll wait for her on the platform of our destination station. It seemed she has understood.

Was on tenterhooks waiting for Yui. When she did arrive she had a big smile on her face with laughter in her eyes.

We need to have more training for independence now.

Life with a grade schooler: Confessions!

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A couple months ago, Yui told me she has a crush on one of her teachers in her after school school.

Last week, she told me she confessed and expressed her feelings to the guy, 12 years her senior and twice as tall. I wanted to ask details about how she said it, what was the setting, (and most importantly) what he said. She just wouldn’t share she eventually got angry because I kept on badgering her.

And then this evening, she suddenly blurted out, without preamble: he told me to say again what I said ten years after (in Japanese).

I was at first confused on what she meant. Then it dawned on me. Ahhhhh!!! I’m happy for my baby though.

My baby. Now a lady with crushes.

“判断するな”

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I asked Yui how her day was and with whom did she play with.

She answered “with Satsuki”. I was just trying to guess who the girl is from the daily photos, and then she described.

“The one who looks so snobbish and who would bully anyone. “いじわれるなかおお”. But actually surprisingly kind. On the other hand, Emma looks like she won’t hurt a fly. But actually she gets angry so easily.

判断するな! Don’t judge!

My dear baby, I’m loving the wisdom. Keep it up. .