The ONG family Homeschool

How Awesome is that? Fifth month scan

Psalms 139:7-16  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

(Is it not amazing that this psalm talks about Genetics hundreds of years before Scientists ever knew about Genes? God truly is the Author of the Bible!)

We just did no. 6 Baby's fifth month detailed scan at KK hospital and thank God, there were no abnormalities in baby's structures. I will not take these for granted. Having said that, even if there were abnormalities, I would have still posted the above verses. Because we are ALL made in the image of God. 

The whole family trooped into the scanning room that afternoon. The diagnostic imaging lady (what do you call them? Radiologists? Ultrasound technicians?) had to turn around and count the children when she heard the number of feet shuffling into the room. haha. She was the best one out of all the scans I have done because she did a short commentary which part of baby's body she was scanning and so on. So again, the kids had a learning opportunity outside of a "classroom". :)

And in case you are wondering about the scan pic, Baby is facing downwards, head on the left hand side. One can also see one of the baby's forearms. And twice during the scan, we saw the baby open her mouth like a yawn! First time I ever witnessed that. Oh yes....

It's A GIRL!

The most common comment we get from friends is that, now, the ratio of boys and girls will be even. But I'm thinking, actually, there'll be an ODD number of boys and an ODD number of girls. haha... no matter, really. The good papa says it's 好！好！好！;) That "好" means "good". It is made up of two radicals "女" nu which like "girl, daughter" and "子" zi as in "son". So for the Chinese, to have sons and daughters is good. And we have three pairs. lol! But really, we are just glad to receive this gift from the Lord, boy or girl. :)

One thing is for sure, the family dynamics is going to shift. Even out the testosterone. Up to two years ago when our second girl was born, we had three boys and one girl. For 10 years, the majority went to the boys . Our older girl grew up playing with trucks. She's not the dolly carrying type of girl anyway. 

But with the second girl, already things have changed. This one is an everything pink girly-girl! Even her toothpaste preference is the pink one! Thankfully, her outdoors-y, fort building brothers don't mind her. :) They all adore her very much, except when she's being naughty.

And soon, at God's appointed time, another little girl! The family will never be the same again.

Staring Incidents

 We walked in quite un-noticed to a crowded food court this afternoon. But when we sat down at a table (do you know what a pain it is to find tables at food courts that can seat a family of seven?) people start looking and start mentally counting the number of children we have. And then they notice I'm pregnant. *faint!* lol!

If we were in China, probably people would come right up and ask if these were all our children, so thankfully, in Singapore, people are more "discreet".

There was a period when our eldest (now 12 yrs) detested the attention. Now I think he's not bothered by it. I guess it can't be helped, people are curious and our family is a curiosity. :) I only hope we can be a good testimony for Christ when people notice us. 

I'll end with a continuing verses of that opening Psalm:

Psalms 139:17-18  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

<3 How awesome to know God is thinking about us. We don't think about God even an iota compared to how much He thinks and cares for us. Let us remember that the next time we think He is far away and doesn't care for us, amen?

 

 

 

A Mother's Joy

So happy I just have to share. :)

Last night, one of the boys (boys being boys) was being mischievous, hid in the dark to scare both his sisters. He was very successful, too successful in fact because even after he was reprimanded and he apologized to baby (2 and a half yrs), she was still quite affected.

I tried to get her lie down to sleep but she came crying to me and to my pleasant surprise, she asked me to pray for her. How glad my heart was to know that my little girl has learned to turn to God in prayer when she is afraid!

I carried her out to the dark place and talked to her about the dark. Then we prayed, I asked God to protect her and help her to sleep. And she was assured enough to lie down by herself and fall asleep.

Next morning, when I recounted what happened the night before, my older girl revealed that there was another time that baby was afraid of the dark and so she taught her little sister to pray and prayed with her. :) I just knew it was one of the older siblings who was behind this! Of course, I thanked my older girl for teaching her lil sister good things!

I'm so glad that the children are at a stage whereby they can encourage each other to turn to God and walk with God. More of these blessings, Lord! :)

The Homeschool Teacher

Just some random thoughts off the top of my head, thinking about some recent happenings around here.

I've heard some moms say that they can't homeschool because they don't have the confidence to teach their children (probably to reach an educational goal or certificate in mind, like the PSLE.) In some cases, it may be a valid reason. One valid reason I can think of would be if the parent is not proficient in English....like I mean problems in  grammar, vocabulary, what have you..... Basically, like me with Mandarin. If I were to prepare my child for exams in Mandarin, I too will say I am not adequate. 

BUT I need to clarify, homeschooling is really not only about preparing our children for exams. Some folks I've encountered have a misconception of the term "homeschool" and think I'm doing like a private school with my own children as my students and have enquired if I am able to take in their children as well. Seriously. Where do I begin to explain myself??? lol

No, in homeschooling, we are preparing our offspring for LIFE- and the scope of teaching and learning is far wider than Languages, Maths and Science. And anyway, to make up for my inadequacies in Chinese, we do engage a home tutor for the children to, well, prepare for the exam. As a family, we have been trying to make a conscious effort to speak more Mandarin to each other. It has been an uphill task but not without laughter. Like when we use phrases wrongly. More often, my children transliterate their English into Chinese and the mistakes are hilarious! 

But to address those parents who don't have the confidence to teach or homeschool because they are the "rather be safe (ie. public school) than sorry" (ie. homeschool) folks (as if the school system is really the "safer" route) I have the following to say in my most friendly and loving way:

Being a Homeschool Teacher is a lot of O.J.T.

On the Job Training. Just like becoming a parent for the first time. O.J.T.

As concerned parents, we constantly assess ourselves and our children to check if our processes are working well, fixing what doesn't work well. Do the children relate well to us and to others? Are they growing as they should? Are they lacking in anything? etc. etc.

So, as a homeschooling parent, there is just the added dimesion of academic progress and responsibility. The parenting part of the equation (the concern for the welfare of your own children) comes naturally. The academic part of the equation can be picked up.

I am a "trained" teacher but I reckon I really apply 5% of what I learned in teacher training school in teaching my kids. Plus, I was not trained in Pri. school teaching so most of what Singapore curriculum stuff my kids are learning, I'm learning together with them. And many of us homeschool parents are not trained teachers. So what to do?

Ask around. A HS mom friend says the playground is the best place to get the latest info about exam related stuff. lol.

Go for courses.

Get good books/ websites.

There's so much self help available.

The Learning Curve

I'm talking about the Homeschool parent's learning curve. Not the child's. It really does get easier when it comes to teaching the next child in line and the next (and the next and the next... in my case. lol) You have more insight into how to teach a certain topic of maths, or explaining a certain scientific concept. (I noticed this in myself just the other day when teaching no. 2 how to round off numbers...)

The number of teaching tools you have also tend to grow over the years. Because, as a concerned homeschool parent, your ears are constantly tuned to information on a good website to teach geography, or the latest electronic device/ learning aid on the market. And you acquire those that you feel can work for you and your family's needs. If they don't work well, sell them off. ;)

Parent Teacher VS School Teacher: Who will love the child more?

Needless to say, the parent teacher has a vested interest in seeing their child succeed, not just in one subject to make it to the next year, but to becoming a well rounded, well educated person. The goals are quite different, hence the perspectives, be it long term or short term.

Our Convictions will carry us through

My hubby and I do believe that it is in God's best plan for us to homeschool our children. (For the fuller version, please go to this page.) Of course there are loads of question marks hanging over what each of our children will turn out to be. We only choose to go by the promises of God and take it one step at a time. Check your bible! God actively guides His children! We only need the faith to hold His hand through the whole process. (Readers of this blog know I constantly attest to this fact. ;) )

So, we have embraced this homeschooling lifestyle, and now we are 12 years into it and there's no looking back. I LOVE the freedom to work with my children and educate them as we deem right as a family on our family timetable.

If you have any other points or thoughts to add regarding the Homeschool Teacher, please do share in the comments or email me! :)