Enough?

When it comes to pre-school education, when enough is enough?

On one hand, I would say I simply have a double H (Health and Happiness) expectation for my kids. I'd love to say that I didn't impose anything academic upon my kids. I'd love to say that I only want my kids to enjoy their childhood, and I do recognise there are some truth in the following:
- social skills is more important than technical skills;
- street smart is equally important as academically smart;
- confidence is no less than important than knowledge;
- list goes on....

But being in this competitive society, surrounded by super-kids in the neighbourhood, driven by the education system, exerting pressure to other parents, and being pressurized by others, we have enrolled Han Jin for quite a number of classes... Mei still has her precious childhood... at the moment..

Look at a typical week for Han Jin:
- Monday and Thursday: Full Day childcare from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Walk to Kumon center at 6pm and stays till 7pm. Another one quarter Kumon on Thursday night (to make up for Firday evening English class);
- Tuesday: Full Day childcare from 8:30am to 6pm. Travel time to home half an hour, meal time one hour, rest half an hour. Kumon exercise at home from 8pm to 9pm.
- Wed: Full Day childcare from 8:30am to 6:30pm including an additional arts class at the school. Travel time to home half an hour, meal time one hour. Kumon exercise at home from 8pm to 9pm.
- Fri: Full Day childcare from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Travel time to home half an hour, meal time one hour. Kumon 15 mins. Set off to LCentral at 7:30pm to 9pm.
- Sat: Literacy Plus from 9am to 10:30am. Kumon at home from 11am to 12noon. Lunch, nap. Yamaha class from 5pm to 6pm. Finish up Kumon for Fri and Sat at night.

I try to keep Sun clean, dedicated to outdoor play and indoor rest.

My poor boy, not even 5 years yet. Daddy is of the view that anything does not destroy you makes you strong... I just pity my little boy. How can I cut back? I reduced the Kumon worksheet to half a set a day, ignoring Daddy who insisted of full set; I help him to write sometimes....

I don't need my kids to be exceptional. The number I love the most from a scale of one to ten, is eight. Not because it is auspicious, but that is the level of achievement I set for myself, and I hope for my kids.

I just want them to be Happy and Healthy.

瀚今的书包，可怜的孩子。真正在我心里，我希望我的孩子健康（Health）快乐（Happiness）。不一定非要做医生，不一定非要上最好的学校，不一定要拿第一。