"I Don't Want to go to School"

To my very surprise, this was what Renee told me this morning when I asked her to get ready for school!

I asked her for the reason to which she told me that "we draw something and Mrs Ong asked what is it, but I don't know and she's very angry". To find out more, I decided to speak to the teacher. The children were still in the assembly hall when we arrived and I took the opportunity to speak to Mrs Ong. She said she was also waiting for an opportunity to have a word with me about this. This was what happened:

'The current theme engages them in the play of 'tools' and whilst Mrs Ong was telling her the names of the tools she's selected(each was to select his/her tools for drawing/colouring) but seeing her friends whom had already gone through that earlier and moved-0n to the play corner(with the tools), she couldn't concentrate. Mrs Ong decided to let her go on but test her later. Obviously this girl didn't pass the test and out of panic, she gave the tool a name(something which the teacher couldn't catch) and claimed that it was something I've taught her! It was a spanner and with it being that, the teacher has correctly assumed that I wouldn't have taught her so, especially when it's given a wrong name. The teacher added that she normally doesn't have to 'scold' Renee as she 'picked up' things fast but it was the 'lie' that made her angry(we are too!) and so she chided her. Out of fear, she cried and blurted : "I want mommy, I'm not feeling well, I want to go home, I want to practice my violin"(arrh! This explains why Mrs Ong asked yesterday if she's learning violin). She was then led for a face-wash and lesson continued...'

So, that explains why she hadn't want to explain to me why she's told her teacher about her learning the violin and perhaps also why 1 of her classmates, Jun Wei had suddenly rushed to give her a small pack of rasins at the gate at dismissal(probably 'cos that's the 1st time they've seen she cried).

After the talk with the teacher, I had wanted to speak with Renee but thought it's best to leave it till we got home after school. With the approach of the celebrated Vesak Day, I brought her to the Buddhist Welfare Temple for the 'Yu Fuo' and when we got back, this is the conversation I've re-enforced with her :

Me : "Renee, come, I need to talk to you"

Renee : "yes mommy"

Me : "why did you lie to the teacher in school?"

Renee : "because she asked me but I don't know and I'm afraid"

Me : "it's ok that you don't know, you just have to pay attention in class, listen and learn. It is very bad to lie. Do Not lie again. Mommy and Papa had always told you not to lie. It's ok to make mistake and not to know something, just don't tell lies"

Renee : "ok mommy, I will remember that. I'm sorry..."

Me : "This is not the first time I'm telling you this, so please don't let me hear that you've lied again"

Renee : "ok mommy"

Me : (repeating to make sure the message gets through again) : "remember ok, never lie. If you've done something wrong and papa/mommy asked you, you must say so. We may scold you, yes But, if we caught you telling lies, we'll cane you, do you understand?"

Renee : "yes, mommy..."

Well, I hope this 'small matter' will help to teach/help her learn more about not lying and she'll not use a lie to cover up her fear again or anymore.