We Share Session

17 May 2008

The PSG Committee meeting on the morning of May 17th had just ended and together with other committee

 members, as well as the Principal, Mrs Ong, Vice-Principal, Ms Pamela Yoong, PSG Co-Ordinator, Mrs Lim Swu Yun, I proceeded to the Student Centre, the venue for the PSG “We Share” session.  From parents’ responses, we expected a turnout of 9 parents. Initially, 3 couples joined us and just before the session began, I counted a total of 29 parents.  That was encouraging!

Daniel Ang, currently a counselor with the Lutheran Community Care Services and  Segar (PSG Chairperson) conducted the session and Mrs Lalitha Kok, the school’s counselor was also present to give her views.

The topic of discussion was “Nurturing An All-Round (and Confident) Teenager.  Daniel elicited responses from parents of the qualities of such a child.  They came up with qualities such as happy, responsible, committed, respectful, articulate, independent, positive thinking, aware of strengths and weaknesses, having integrity  and good social skills.  Parents were prompted to rate their own children and reflect on the positive things that they, as parents, have done.

Daniel touched on the different parenting styles; of being firm and fair compared to being mean and too slack.  Mrs Kok added that teens were always questioning and stressed on parent-child communication whereby parents could imbibe values to their children.  Segar shared that from own experience, he would ask his children questions and get their responses so as to bolster their confidence and enhancing communication.  A mother said that she would cycle with her child to school and used that time to talk and shared that the first 5 minutes was important.

Parents contributed their own experiences and their methods of parenting.  One couple shared that with their children, one would be slack while the other firm.  Mrs Kok interjected that the message to their children should be the same.  She also added that children’s mistakes should be corrected or pointed out as the consequences might be costly.

When a parent shared her concern that her child could listen to music while doing her homework or studies, other parents chorused similar views too.  Ms Yoong was of the opinion that some children or more so, present-day teens have the capacity to multi-task.

Mrs Kok also shared here personal parenting experiences with us and stressed that parents learn to recognize and accept their individual child’s differences.  Parents should know their children’s self-worth and not force them to conform to their i.e. parents’ ideals.

The time seemed to pass and before I knew it, we had come to the end of the session.  When it  was comments time – these were what  I heard – “It’s the first time for me”, “I wanted to listen and learn”, “I’m glad I could share”, “I came to get tips and share experiences.”

Well, that’s the essence of “WE SHARE” where you can express your concerns, grouses, ideas or experiences; sans the finger-pointing.  The PSG has created a platform and brings together parents of the school and lent our ears and shared our hearts too. AND ….at the final count, a total of 36 parents turned up.  I applaud the management of TMS for their support and concern not only towards their staff members and students of the school, but to the parents as well.  I do recall the school’s motto – “WE CARE”.

Written by : Mdm Aishah Bte Ahmad Alkaff