'Exam' parenting

The SPM (Form Five) exams started today. This, being the major school leaving hurdle for all who study within the Malaysian education system is mentioned in all the newspapers. And parents like me get 'involved' too; to different degrees. The next two weeks will see me being chauffeur again. I could let our part time driver fetch my son but would rather send him so I can give him some last minute encouragement. Actually, he's not asking for such efforts on my part :) But this is the last major exam hurdle my children will face....The past four years one or the other of them have had government exams to sit for. I drove three trips to the school today - to send him there, to fetch him back, and also to deliver some lunch during the break between papers. I notice that this younger son has a more independent streak than my other son. He's trying to tell me that I don't have to bring lunch....he can eat at the canteen. Maybe I will take that up after the first few days.......

I was having tea with a couple of friends yesterday. One of them mentioned the many challenges and temptations that face young people these days.......Yes, I told her that as a mother, I know that very well (my friends are single) and how I wish I could 'protect' my children more. Parents and maybe more so, mothers, do grow 'big' hearts, if we first allow our hearts to make space enough for all the joys and sorrows that our children will face, through their lives. There will be many, many surprises, each day, if we would only "store these things and treasure them in our hearts". Mary the mother of Jesus is reported by Luke the evangelist to have done so. I can imagine what being a mother meant to Mary. There were times when she could not understand her son, there was a time when she was told of a sword that would pierce her heart.......and there was the time when she and other women remained close by Jesus in his passion. Presumably their pain at seeing a loved one suffer, was very deep even if it was not physical one.

Exams come and exams go. We are not at all pressurising my son to 'score' great results (just enough to get into the studies he wants to take up in college). My perfectionist standards have dropped over the years, as I've learnt to gradually understand his unique personality and talents. In another two weeks, another stage of life starts. He says he will try to get some work while waiting for the results. Wonder if I will have to chauffeur him to and from his work, probably at the mall!!