Recently I read a article about a Japanese mother who brought their children to Malaysia and stay for some times.
She says: (in my own understanding and translation)
The greatest gift that parents can give to their children, is not the material and wealth of the world, but is the key that unlock the door of blessings. Parents cannot place their high expectations on their children, but they can bring them to see the world, embrace their lives to the fullest and search for their future and happiness. Because the future belongs to them.
When I decided to bring my children to Malaysia to study, I have many worries, and one is that I can no longer turn back once this move is made, I worried the children will angry with me when they grow up. The only motivator that pushes me forward is my belief – experience is wealth.
I can relate to her really. Many have commented that our children are lucky that they can study in Uk when we move there. Not knowing that the daddy has many worries and concerns as well.
I spoke to my Head of School in Bristol and he scared me to hell that some state schools in UK may not be ‘heaven’ really – there are bully cases, stabbing cases etc. Wonder you heard the case that this 4 years old boy killed his mate at the rail way- and the recent case I heard from the news myself where this 9 years old girl got pregnant and the father is just 13 years old – oh my !!! In fact my former neighbor in Sheffield has started home schooling their son due to the fact they are not happy with the local school system.
I don’t really have a choice really. The Head ignorantly asked me whether I can afford for about £30K per annum for a private school – in my mind, if I have that money, do I need your scholarship???
But it is a bold step to take forward – I like what the Japanese mum says: experiences are wealth for the children. I can’t give my kids the kind of material and money they need at this point of time, I guess I can give them a life experience that one day they can thank me for (hopefully). As I myself am in the education scene, I always know there are many creative ways to enrich a person’s learning experiences. This move to bring my kids to a foreign land – I hope they pick up the gift of appreciation for art, music and creativity that have been stifled in our local education system. Being close to Europe countries, I hope they will embrace the richness of Europe history and learn from it.
Experiences – yes, I pray to God for enrich experiences in this journey.
