Choosing a primary school

I was reading a question by simplyme regarding what we should consider when choosing a primary school for our children and I began to think about what I would consider when the time comes for The Husband and me to make a decision.

1. Distance – I know that to many people, distance is very important as they want a school which is as near to their homes as possible but to me, distance should not be the most important factor. Then what is? Go to point 2.

2. Reputation – The reputation of the school is very important to me. Does the school have a good tradition? A good history? It is known to produce students who are well-rounded? Do they have good,caring teachers? Do the students come from good family backgrounds?

3. Co-ed or single sex? – I think at the primary school level, it doesn’t really matter but when once they reach high school, it definitely should be single sex so as to minimise distractions!

4. Teaching methods – Is the school one that subscribes to a teacher-centred approach or a student-centred approach? Are the students given opportunities to develop their creativity and thinking skills?

5. Affiliation – Is the school affiliated to another secondary school? It might not matter at this point in time but 6 years down the road, you might begin to realise how important it is. If the school is affiliated to a good secondary school, it would make it easier for your child to enter that secondary school even if she doesn’t do that well in the exams. The last time I checked, students from affiliated primary schools are given about 20-30 points advantage against students from other schools and this is something that’s really worth considering.

It’s a headache deciding on a school and although The Daughter is only starting primary school in 3 and a half years’ time, I’ve already decided which school I want to put her in.    – martini

Househusbands

I was reading an article on househusbands in one of the parenting magazines and after reading the article, I turned to The Husband and asked him ,”Would you be a house husband?” Without even spending a moment to think about it, he said ,”No”.

I decided to rephrase the question and I asked him, “If we have all the money in the world and you really don’t have to work anymore, would you be a househusband?” and he said ,”No. I would still want to go out to work.” 

I decided to rephrase the question again and I asked him, “Don’t you want to be a househusband and spend as much time with us?” and the answer was, “Er, well, yes, but I still want to work.” I find his answers rather perplexing because between the two of us, he is the more “domesticated” one and he really enjoys doing housework and taking care of The Daughter.

Now, I still haven’t figured out why my husband insists on working and not being a househusband. Maybe he feels that a man is defined by his profession. I’m not sure. I will find that out in another conversation but I really salute all those men who chose to be househusbands because I think it must be a very tough decision that they had to make and what more, with society not being used to accepting men as househusbands, the social stigma doesn’t make it any easier.  -martini