first day of school

reading the updates on FB made me see how different singaporean parents are... as compared to japanese ones...

in singapore... the first day of school is always very chaotic... for every P1 pupil you see... there are at least 2 adults... some more... plus maid... plus grandparents... plus siblings...

the canteen and front porch are swarmed with anxious caregivers... armed with cameras... and video cameras... waving frantically... trying to catch the attention of the already overwhelmed kid...

and this scene... depending on schools... lasts about 3 days to a week...

here in japan... it is a totally different story...

all pupils walk to school... children are enrolled into schools based on where they live... so that there is no need for public transportation...

P1 pupils gather together... usually from the same living compound... then an older pupil will lead them to school... no parent tags along... no cars jamming the roads in front of the school...

and after school... they walk back home... in the same group...

personally... i prefer the japanese way... before i came to japan... i thought that my gals were independent... but after being here... i realise that japanese kids are far more independent... and less sheltered too...

gonna be back in the singapore system in less than 3 months... praying that the gals will adapt back smoothly... and quickly...