A touching moment

I was really mad when Yi Ren, my youngest son handed me his spelling book to sign. Guess what, he failed his spelling by 1 mark!! You know what was my first reaction? Blood started to boil up to my head and I just lost control and raised my voice at him.

I just got so mad that when I asked him if he had revised his list, he told me yes, I learnt a few. What a good answer to give me. This really drive me crazy. I was scolding so angrily that I begin to hit him with my hand. After about 10 minutes, Yi Ren began to shout back and said "Why are you beating me when I have tried my best"? I could not accept this reason and almost wanted to slap him on his face. But then I began to tone down and told myself to communicate with him instead of just throwing my temper. I know he is a kid who will not just accept punishment without knowing where went wrong.

So I told him that it is not so much of that 1 mark, it is the issue of him not managing his time and work correctly. Then I tried to ask him to be honest with me and own up if he has forgotten to learn or just learn a few words. In the end he admitted that he has forgotten to learn but again saying that he has tried his best. Then I show him examples of where I have seen him tried his best in other area. For this particular case, it is definitely an unnaceptable act of telling lies.

By now, I saw that he was holding his tears back and a very remorseful look into my eyes. I looked at him and asked if he has realized his mistake? I was really touched when he actually opened his mouth and said "Yes, Sorry Mum, can you please forgive me, I will not do it again". Why I am surprised was because in the past, normally I have to demand for an apology after punishing him. I think it is quite normal for a kids to refuse or do it reluctantly when at that moment they were also angry.

It really touches my heart and I just could not hold back my tears. He came over to wipe my tears and hug me. Both of us were crying together. Later on, he told me that he felt so sorry that I have done so much for him but he has disappointed me this time. He also told me that the Value education class that he attended in school taught him to be a honest person and need to have intergrity. If he makes a mistake, he must be brave to admit it and then move on with corrective action. He was acutally feeling guilty when he did not prepare well and failed.

I was very glad that we both had this open communication to share our views. I realised from this incident that he has grown more matured. Most importantly is absorbing what he learnt and applied to life. He assure me that he has learnt from here and will share his concerns and problem with me to work out solution together whenever he has issues. I also told me that I am not a mum who expects him to be top in class, but I am very strict about bringing up a child with good character. As this will lead him to a more successful path when he turn into adulthood.

The night ended pleasantly with both of us kissing each other. Oh yeah, I also told myself not to hit him anyone. When I woke up in the morning, I found my right tumb turn blue black. I think he has grown bigger now so if I lay fingers on him, I will be the one to suffer. hehehe. Instead of him having pain, I was the one who got hurt.