What School Mums Love To Talk About

Was chatting with a group of Indonesian mums after school drop-off and a number of interesting pet topics came up -

Homeschooling: Should we? Shouldn't we? What are the requirements? Are we qualified to teach our own children?

One of the mums is 95% convicted that she and her hubby should homeschool their two children, and they plan to take them out of school from Term 2.

We asked if she would like us to pray for her. She said yes, so the four of us prayed. It's been a long time since anything spontaneous like this has happened and I'm so glad I obeyed God's prompting to speak up.


Awards: Apparently, the former principal used to hand out weekly awards for good behaviour. This practice was suspended when a new principal took over. The mums would love to see the practice reinstated as it encourages good behaviour and rewards thosechildren who are helpful, kind and well-behaved. The mums would like the school to emphasise good values and not just academic achievement.

Bullying: How to teach children to stand up to bullies, how to work with the teacher to ensure the matter is resolved.

Motivation: How to get kids to practise the piano and do all those things parents want them to do that are "for their good" but which the kids may be ambivalent about.

I believe the child's temperament has a part to play. Some kids are more compliant in the face of authority (like me). Some appear compliant but have this inner rebel waiting for the right moment to push boundaries (like my firstborn).

Lack of communication between school leadership and parents: Out of this sprang something really beautiful and unexpected: our little group of mums decided we will meet once a month on Fridays after school drop-off to pray for the principal, the teachers and the students.

Praise be to God for seeding a praying mothers' group!