My Two Cents Worth...

Recent developments pertaining to students being overly stressed has spurred me to write this.

As any concerned parent would tell you, that they want the best for their child. Indeed that is true...but at what cost? Think....think & listen to what I am about to say.....

This Saturday morning... there will be a briefing for all Sec 4 parents whose child will be taking the 'O' & 'N' level exams. I am curious to know what new revelations the school will be telling us parents. I have something to say too. Being the Vice Chairman of the PSG has given me avenues to do more than just sit & listen. I would like to address the students this time. I would like to tell them a story on how someone (fellow student) ends up in the IMH. How continuous studying without pacing yourself can do to ones body. This is what the doctors call a Burnout.

The body just cannot cope with excessive mental nor physical energy drain on a daily basis. The body will give you signs to slow down but if you tend to ignore those signs and keep continuing at the rate you are going....your body & mind will SHUT DOWN. This is what is happening to a fellow student. It is not a far fetched story. This is true. I will not mention names as the parent just wish me to tell her story. I empathise with her, she is a dear friend. Now she sits beside her daughter in IMH everyday, looking at her daughter, just lying there and if she opens her eyes, she would just stare blankly to the ceiling. The agony of this mother, what she has to go through is too much for any of us to imagine. No visitors are allowed.

Do observe our children, there are tell tale signs. Look closely dont ignore...or the outcome will not be favourable.

Be there for our children, prepare them a hot drink if they need them. rent them a good video for them to see, a good music CD for them to hear, give them a smile and joke once a while. Try not nag or scold, be firm & bold. Its easier said than done....you may say.... take a step closer to your child....if not today...then WHEN?